Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-27
WENT TOSEE HIMSELF.
Rev. Louis Albert Banks Pays a Visit
to the Homestead Mills.
COULDN'T FIND THE SPEAK-EASY.
Investigating Statements Made at Meetings
in the East.
THINKS THE MEN ARE WE'LL TREATED

Rev. Louis Albert Banks of Boston, an
eminent divine who is famous the country
over as an unfaltering friend of labor, and
who within recent years has attracted
widespread attention by his exposure and
assault upon the sweating system in the
New England industries, was in Pittsburg
yesterday on his way back from, Home
stead. Mr.. Banks went to Homestead on
Thursday afternoon. He was accompanied
by L. M. Warden, of the Lake Erie Rail
road, and R. G. Catel, a painter Of Wheel
ing.
Mr.. Banks does not look like minister.
He dresses in good taste, but with an utter
disregard for the conventional ideas of the
church. He wears tan shoes, q well-made
pair of light-colored pantaloons, pepper
and salt coat of the skeleton pattern, light
leather belt, negliges shirt and white
plug hat His face is handsome and oval
He wears q blonde mustache, and looks we'll
pleased with himself and the rest of the
world.
Believed All He Heard Of Homestead.
II came from Boston to Homestead Just
to satisfy my curiosity" Mr. Banks said
yesterday before leaving for his home.
"When Hugh O'Donnell and Burgess Nc
Luckie were in Boston some time ago I
went to hear them tell of the Homestead
strike. Their story was interesting, and
from what they said on the subject I was
positively convinced that the men who had
gone into the mill to work since the
strike were being badly treated, and in fact
were being subjected to all sorts of outrages.
believed that men were being chopped to
pieces by the great saws in the mill and I
had no doubt that the new men were un-
able to operate the great concern. How
ever, came to see for myself and now I
am heartily glad came"
swell, tell me what you found there"
the reporter suggested.
well, am going to write about what I
found at Homestead. can say, however,
that I did not verify the stories told in
Boston by O'Donnell and McLuckie.
found the great mills running. That much
must be admitted. I am not a steel expert
but In my Judgment the work being turned
out is first-class.
ut was just noon when I got there, and at
my own request was shown through the
dining rooms and I examined the food as it
was being placed upon the tables. The
food would have been good enough for me.
1t was substantial enough for the workmen
and 1t appeared to me to be tasty. ex-
amined the kitchens and they appeared to
me like the kitchens of frst-class hotel.
Couldn't Find q speak-Easy
81 made a careful examination OF the
sleeping apartments. 1 had the hunks
opened for my inspection, and can saw
cheerfully the hunks were clean and COM
Portable.
Another matter, and one in which 1 was
thoroughly interested, was investigated by
me, MI. Banks said. "We were told in
the East that the company was running
speak-easy in the mill for the ben
eft of the workingmen. We know
but little of speak-easies in the East
and was anxious to see one. I asked to
be shown to the place, but was told by
the authorities that they did not have a
speak-easy on the premises. I was slow to
believe what they told me in the face
OF the other stories told us and
decided to investigate the matter
on my own account. 1 took Mr. Catel into
my confidence, and I had him go to Super
intendent Potter and, If possible, secure for
me small drink of liquor. Mr. Potter was
anxious to send uptown and get the liquor
for me, but he assured my messenger that
there was none in the works. That con-
WINGED me that the speak-easy story was
not well founded.
However" Rev. Mr.. Banks concluded.
''the mills at Homestead are working and I
am glad went there and saw the conditions
for myself"