The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-14


think that fact has been pretty clearly
demonstrated, and II an opportunity
were afforded think we would have no
difficulty in establishing its truth"
''That opinion is based on observation,
and the preparations, building of fences,
aud bringing in Of Pinkerton guards,
and the consequential management OF
the milli"
Three years ago AZ this same mill
we had trouble of a similar character.
Between hundred and fifty and two
hundred deputies came there to take
possession OF the works. The MANAGE
ment complained that they were afraid
their property would be destroyed.
Those men came in on one train and
were induced to leave on another. After
considerable trouble the firm finally
signed the scale. The capacities of the
mill were at that time quite limited.
Then came the Mckinley tariff bill, re-
ducing the tariff on this very identical
article on which our wages were bas%,
steel billets, and raised the tariff on all
other articles of production. 1t was
gigantic conspiracy to rob the laboring
man of q fair days wages for fair
days work.
The Hatred of Pinkertons.
Mr.. Bynum-What is the cause of the
workingmen's dislike of the Pinkerton
detectives9
"o,qr people as general thing believe
the Pinkertons TO be horde of cut
throats, thugs and iawless invaders,
employed in the submission of honest
labor into accepting tie demands Of cap
itRlists. This would account for their
dislike Of the Pipkertons. There would
have been no resistance to lawfully
constituted authority Of the state"
Under cross exapjnation by Judge
Taylor Mr.. McLuckie said that his
statements were made from informa-
tion received; he had carefully read the
Mckinley bill, and denied that the bill
called for decrease on all other ar
ticles also.
Judge Taylor-You think the less the
tariff the less the wages2 e..
Mr.. McLuckie--You are lawyer and
q judge. ! do not care to commit my
self on that subject"
On being asked whom he thought
were the parties to the conspiracy, the
witness rather obviously admitted that
he thought they were Messrs. Mckinley,
Frick and others.
Judge Taylor here interposed an OBJ
lection to any such sweeping declara-
tions," as he termed them.
Mr.. Oates--Your idea, then, is that
Inc CoinpdHyi dtter hdNluS oUtdiHeu
scale of wages based on the market
value of steel billets, caused the duty on
steel billets 10 be reduced2
Mr.. McLuclsie - Yes, sir. They
shortly converted the Duquesne works
into u billet plant, increased the pro-
duction, flooded the country SO that
prices should be reduced, and thus affect
our wages.
Mr.. McLuckie then answered a num-
Der Of questions regarding the sliding
scale, during which he again charged
that the reduction in billets was the re-
suit of conspiracy. Then the subject
of the employment OF Pinkertons came
up again. Mr.. McLuckie said he UNDER
stood them to be a class of men owned
and operated by unscrupulous capital
lists.
Judge Taylor-1 don't know but what
you are right. have no sympathy for
| them myself.
| Mr. McLuckie said he would like this
committee to understand that the trouble
at Homestead on July 9th was not be-
tween labor and capital. 1t was between
| two classes Of employees. One class
the thugs-were employed by the money
earned by the honest labor Of the other.
Judge Taylor referred to the mum ber
of good, comfortable homes in Home
stead.
Mr. McLuckie-Will you permit me
to ask, are those homes too good for
workingmen to live in2
Mr.. Taylor-Not half good enough.
Mr.. McLucl1ie-Thank you.
Mr.. Taylor-There is bright, pros.
porous town that grew up under this
plantr
Exactly, aud very much hope that
1t will immediately resume Its custom
sry condition"
William Roberts, an ex-president of
the Amalgamated Association, was next
called, and gave evidence to the effect
that the firm had as long ago as Janu-
airy last begun perfecting plans to pre-
cipitate the present controversy.
In continuing his testimony Mr.. Rob-
erts asserted that the employers reaped
the full benefits Of protection, and Mr..
Boatner asked:
"You think if the manufacturers are
protected to the extent of 75 to 100 per
cent you ought to get share Of itr'
eyes, sir"
"I think 80, too" (Smiles, in which
Mr.. Frick tried to join.l
Mr.. Bynum-Where does the con.
Iumer come in?
II suppose he gets left"
Ex-Sheriff Gray, the next witness, re-
hearsed his conversation with the men
Mt Homestead ON July o, and testified re-
Earding the fight on the following day.
Mr.. Gray testified further that the men
on shore did the first shooting. At the
conclusion of his testimony the com.
mittee adjourned.