Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-07
The HOMESTEAD INQUIRY.
Congressman 0ates's Views. Which Were
Rejected by the Committee.

Congressman OateSs views. winch were
Rejected by the Committee.
tBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON. August e.--Mr. Oates,
chairman Of the subcommittee of the
House, which investigated the labor trou-
bles ct Homestead and their connection
with the Pinkerton detectives. submitted
report to the committee which was not
agreed TO. No member questioned its
correctness, its statements of fact, or
conclusions OF law; but the Republican
members of the committee would not
assent TO what he said upon the
tariff and a majority of the Demo-
cratic members Of the committee thought
1t impolitic to make any report until the
entire investigation was completed, which
could not be done before the second ses-
sion of Congress. Therefore a postpone
ment of the report was made until next
winter. The report prepared by MIR. Oates
having been rejected by She committee, he
to-day gave it 10 the public as his indl-
yidual opinion of the matters investigated.
The report begins with statement OF
the movements of the sub committee.
followed by a description Of the works az
Homestead, the number of employees, the
rates of wages, the negotiations between
the company and the Amalgamated Asso-
citation preceding the outbreak, the con-
tentions of both sides, and finally an ac-
count of tho disastrous ending of the at
tempt to land the Pinkertons. 1t is SAID
that the Pinkertons who surrendered were
brutally and outrageously treated, princi-
pally by women and boys, and Mr. Oates
is lOath TO believe that any of these women
were native Americans. He says that the
indignitles to which they were subjected
were q disgrace to civilization.
Mr. Dataa aal<a 10 M at her tho FarnQQin firm
was justified IN equity and good conscience
In proposing q reduction IN wages.
In answer he says that Mr.. Frick declined
TO state the cost of ton of Bessemer steel
Bullets and the labor cost. The men were
paid satisfactory wages, but the work
much abbreyiate s the natural period OF life
and should be well paid for. he thinks
that the company should have some or
the benefits of the profits resulting
from the use OF improved machinery. he
condemns the Mckinley law for its failure
10 benefit the American workmen, and
saws the promises made TO the operatives
have been disappointing. Had blr. Frick
stnted the bottom facts to the committee
they would have agreed that the PROPOSE
ton to reduce wages was lustihable, but
they took issue with him in his conclusion
that the tariff did not cause decline ID
prices.
MIR. Oates finds further that the conduct
of the company towards its employees
was kind in many respects. 1t loaned
them money at low interest to build them
homes. and never foreclosed mortgages;
but in the negotiations the officers did not
exercise patience, indulgence, and solicit
tude; aud Mr. Frick. according to Mr..
Oates, who Is businessman of great in
tellIgence, seems TO have been too stel'a aud
brusQue, and somewhat autocratic.
Mr.. Oates is persuaded that If Mr.. Frick
had appealed to the reason Of the en-
ployees and shown them the state OF the
company's affairs the reduction might
have been made and no trouble have fol-
lowed.
MIR. Oates finds that the Pennsylvania
law contains nothing to prevent Mr.. Frick
from employing Pinkerton men as watch
men at Homestead; but says that under
the circumstances he should not have
done so. He made overtures TO the Pin
kertons before the negotiations with the
men were interrupted, and did not appeal
to the county or State authorities IN the
first instance for protection. He asserts
that Sheriff McOleary is very inefficient
officer. but says that had Mr.. Frick aided
him and Joined in his appeal TO the Gov
ernor instead of employing Pinkertons.
the State would have furnished a sufficient
force TO have protected the property.
Mr. Oates condemns as unlawful the
acts of the workmen in turning away the
Sheriff and as insulting the hanging In eff
gy Of Messrs. Friek aud Potter. He says It
was the purpose of the Amalgamatod As
ISOLATION to prevent the employment of
non-union men, and he declares that no
organization has O right TO enforce its
rights by strong-handed defiance Of the
law. The men had no legal right to resist
the coming in OF the Pinkertons, and arc
answerable TO the Pennsylvania courts.
In conclusion. Mr.. Oates finds that Con-
gress has no power over the questions IN
yolved. The enactment OF satisfactory
arbitration Law Is well-nigh impossible.
As 20 whether Congress has the power TO
regulate or suppress Pgnkertonism. Mr.
Oates says he has no conclusion TO express
until the conclusion of the investigation
next session.
o'DoSNEILs ABSENCE EXPLAINED.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, August 6.-Tha Advisory
Board Of the strikers gave out to-day q
statement that Hugh ODonneil is In Ros-
ton on mission OF great Importance To
his fellows. It. was found neressary 10 or
ganize.a second relief committee, as ono
was unable to answer the calls made upon