Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-11
THE TROUBLES AT HOMESTEAD

Governor Pattison has finally order
eel the entire division of the National
Guard of Pennsylvania (about 5000
mem to proceed to Homestead, in re-
spouse to a final appeal from Sheriff
McCleary that after making all efforts
in his power he had failed to secure a
posse large enough for his purpose.
Troops from all parts of the State be-
gan to move at once. The National
Guard of Pennsylvania, which consists
of GOO officers and 5000 men, is organ
lied into division commanded by
Major General George r. Snowden.
The division is divided into three
brigades, each under the command OF a
brigadier general; three batteries OF
light artillery and one hundred and
twenty-nine companies of infantry.
Most of these commands are composed
of men who are far from being paper
soldiers" They are, rs rule, sturdy,
well-drilled and thoroughly organized
regiments.
The situation at Homestead has not
improved. While all is quiet there, the
strikers are in control, and openly ex-
press their determination that the
works shall not be operated unless by
themselves. The men have signified
their willingness to treat for peace, and
have even made overtures for Il COM
promise; but the company's officials
persistently refuse to recognize. them,
except in an individual capacity. In
fact, Secretary Lovejoy has gone so far
as to announce that if the present in
tention of the company is adhered to,
none Of the strikers will ever again
be employed in the Homestead mills.
1t is believed to be Il fact that num-
Der of Pinkerton men are now quarter
ed at different hotels in Pittsburg,
though for what purpose cannot be de-
vined. All this adds to the general I'M
rest and uneasiness. Sheriff McCleary
will probably make a formal demand
for possession of the mills to-day The
company has two methods Of proceed
urc open: 1t can close the mills, trans
fer its unfinished contracts to other
mills, and enter upon 4 contest OF en-
durance with the men, OF it can gather
a lot of non-union workers and call
upon the State to protect them. That
the Homestead leaders are not sanguine
over the result of protracted struggle,
and do not feel quite safe in the position
they now hold, is evident from their re-
peated propositions for compromises.
A prominent member of the late advis-
orv board has made the rather surpris-
ing statement that the wage-workers
arc willing to concede one important
point in the present dispute, the change
of the date on which the ama!gamated
scale expires. This is the vital point
upon which the final hitch occurred be-
tween Mr.. Frick and the officials of the
big labor union when they met in COR
ference after the old scale became null.
1t was the point that Mr.. Frick de-
handed, and the issue upon which the
Amalgamated Association refused to
bulge. If, said the member Of the
board. Mr.. Frick will meet us half way
we will 60 out Of our course to come to
terms with him.
The strikers claim that they can have
10000 armed allies from surrounding
towns, and. if necessary, $4,000 more
from other sections Of the country.
They are very bitter, and say they pro-
pose to make an armed issue between
capital and labor.
A telegram was sent to Andrew Car
negic in Scotland, begging him TO stop
the trouble at Homestead. He replied:
II cannot interfere. III. G. Frick has
full and entire charge"