Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-07-29
The Story of the Pinkeftons.

The subcommittee of the House resumed
at Washington, Friday, the investigation
begun in Pittsburgh. Robert A. Plnkerton
of the Pinkerton Agency, was the first wit
ness called, and he presented written
statement as follows:
'"ro the Judiciary committee OF the House
of Representatives"
"You have asked Us TO appear before
you and testify in regard to the business
conducted by us under the name of Pink
erton's National Detective Agency. The
present inquiry by your committee arises
from the recent deplorsble events at Home
stead, in the state of Pennsylvania, and
we are informed that q statement on our
part, Of our connection with strikes, and
of the general method of carrying on this
branch of our business will aid the COM
mittee in its investigation,
H"The agency was founded in 1850 by the
late Allen Pinkerton, and during the last
twenty years it has frequently furnished
private watchmen TO protect the property
of individuals and corporations during
strikes. The men employed by us in this
strike work are selected with great care
and only after full investigation of their
characters and antecedents. Not single
instance can be cited where We hayeknow-
ingly employed unreliable or untrustworthy
men, or where any of our watchmen have
been convicted of crime Moreover, we
have seldom permitted our watchmen to
carry arms for the purpose OF protecting
property and life, unless they were author
lied By the proper legal authorities or
sworn in as deputy sheriifs. Our men
have never wantonly or recklessly fired
single shot in any Of these strikes, ana
have used their arms only as the last ex-
tremity in order to protect life. We have
consistently refused to permit our watch
men to bear arms without special legal au-
thority or as deputy sheriffs, even when on
private property, aud we had no intention
of VARYING from this rule in the Homestead
strike.
THE HOMESTEAD AFFAIR
when first requested to send watchmen
to protect the Homestead plant and prop
erty of the Carnegie Steel Company, Lam
tied, we refused to do so unless all our
men should be sworn in as deputy sherifis
before going to Homestead. We we're
then assured that the sheriff of Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, knew that our men
were going TO Homestead to act az watch
men, and to guard the property OF the
company and protect its workmen from
violence We were further assured that
the sheriff had promised, Immediately
upon any outbreak or disturbance, to dep
utize all our watchmen as sherifi's deputies
if it became necessary for the protection
of life and property. On that condition
only did we consent TO furnish about 300
watchmen. A large number of these men
were our regular employees, who could be
thoroughly trusted for integrity, prudence
and sobyiety. The remainder of the men
whom we employed from time to time
were known and re commended to as.
They did not go into the state OF Pennsyl-
vania as an armed body or force, and we
should not have permitted or assented to
this. There was no intention or purpose
or purpose whatever Of arming them until
they were on the property Of the company
at Homestead, and until, and unless they
had been aworn in as the sheriFs deputies.
The sherifs chief deputy, Gray, accom-
panied our men, being on the tug towing
the bargs<, and it was distinctly understood
that he had authority to duly deputize them
in case OF necessity.
"The boxes containing the arms and am
munitjon were shipped from Chicago, and
were TO be deliyered at the Homcstead
yards. The instructions 70 our men were
that they should not be armed unle-s pre-
viously deputized by the sheriff. AS
matter Of faot the boxes on board the bar
ges were not opened saG the arms and am-
muuition were not distributed until after
the strikers had commenced firing on the
watchmen, and 1t beneme evident that it
was o matter of selfdefenGa for life or
death. Klein had been murdered Ly the
strikers, and about five other watchmen
shot and wounded before our men began
their fire in selfdefence. Even then it was
impossible 70 attempt to shoot those firing
at the barges because the strikers made
breastwork for themselves by placing wo-
men and children in front and firing from
behind them. Not single woman or
child was injured by onr men
AFTER THE SURRENDER.
"When our men surrendered, the leaders
Of the strikers solemnly promised full pro-
lection 10 property and life. They knew
that our men surrendered because the
wounded required attention, and for the
purpose Of saving further loss OF life. AZ
ter the surrender sll our men, including
tho wounded and helpless, weye brptally
beaten and robbed by the strikers, and
the leaders made no real or honest effort
to protect them. Our men were robbed OF
watches, money, clothing, in fact every
thing, and then meYeilesaly dubbed and
stoned.
"Connors, unable TO move 90 defend
himself, was deliberately shot by one OF the
strikers, and then clubbed. Edwards, also
wounded and helpless, was dubbed by an
other striker with the butt sn1 Of u rousket.
Both died, and subsequently another
watebmen became insane, and committed
suicide az a result Of ths fearful beating af
ter having surrendered. All our men
were more or less injured. The acts Of
the strikers after our men .aryendered
would be disgrace to sayages. Yet, be
cause done In tho name Of organized
American labor, sympathy, If not encour-
agement, IL shown for such deeds by part
Of the press and by political demagogueq."
The rest Of the statement - devoted to u
recital Of alleged outra geS comm.tted by
labor organizations In recent years and the
necessity OF private watchmen.
In answer 10 some questions put to him
by representative Of the Knights Of La
Dor, he said:
The Pinkerton agency owned about $50
rifles, about 400 pistols and an equal num-
ber OF clubs, and they were Deposited at
Chicago. in all its various branches the
firm never had more nj any one time than
800 persons In their employ. The en-
ploycd were advised exactly AS 10 what
they were expected 10 do and understood
what they were at perfect liberty 10 rcfnsc
any employment which they objected The
men sent 10 Homestead were obtained in
New York, Chicago AM philadelphia All
OF them knew ths exact nature OF their en-
ployment. The bar9eg were not construct
cd for the purpose Of protection