Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-06
CARNEGIE AND HIS wORKMEN.
The Labor Troubles at Homestead Leadin
to TOday's Exciting Events.

The Labor Troubles at Homestead Leading
to Today's Exciting Events.
The trouble feared by the residents of Milf
fin township in case the Carnegie Steel Com
pany undertook to place armed guards in the
works at Homestead WAS proved by the events
of today not to be entirely imaginary.
The people Of Homestead offered yesterday
as stated in the news dispatches, to put from so
to 500 Of their best men inside the mill
to guard the property, and to give a
bond Of $4,000 for the faithful vigilance OF
each man, rather than have deputy sheriffs or
Pinkerton's men placed there, but this offer
was refused. The struggle at Homestead is
between the Carnegie Company and the Anal
gamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.
Conferences were held last week between the
Carnegie board, of which H. c. Frick is chair
man, and representatives of the Amalgamated
Association regarding new scale Of prices SUBJ
mitted by the labor organization and to which
the company objected.
THE NEGOTIATIONS.
The negotiations were short. Chairman
Prick submitted scale which had steel billete
at $22 q ton as a minimum. This was a IL per
cent reduction on the scale which has Just ex.
pired. In addition there were reductions OF
wages upon the S22 basis. These reductions
run from II to 40 per cent for each workman.
Finally there was an article which fixed the ex-
fore, but on December 81. One conference waa
held on June % last.
Representatives Of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation stated that the new scale contemplated
such sweeping reductions that the men were
not prepared to sign it. Chairman Prick ex-
pressed a willingness to discuss the $22 basis.
The association representatives asked for the
old scale. Finally they agreed to accept q
minimum price for steel billets Of $24 q ton.
After long delay Mr.. Prick asserted that the
| Carnegie interests might concede q dollar and
make It S23.
that the reductions averaging so per cent be
discussed, pending the settlement Of the mini
num price. Mr.. Frick is reported to have
said:
"No, gentlemen, there is our ultimatum.
Sign that before midnight Of June "A II you
choose. There will beno conferences ate,
that hour"
The associations committee withdrew and
there were no more meetings.
Mr.. Carnegie's representatives, the workmen
assert, at once began the fertilization Of the
works at Homestead.
"There will be no more conferences. Only one
was held. We will use the next two weeks in
making repairs at the works. On July 49,
which comes on Monday, the mills will start mp
again"
Twill you take the old men back asain2'
asked reporter.
1--WE win take the men back a. individuals
II they sign the scale, said Mr.. Lovejoy. 1--WE
have flushed cur dealings with the Amalga-
lsmated Association"
BOTH POINTS OF VIEW.
The present controversy Is not confined e
those interested in the Homestead works. The
Pittsburg manufacturers say they are united in
fight against the new scale Of the Amalgamated
Association. They state 1t IL impossible Il
| sign the present wage list because they cannot
afford IL. They would sooner allow their mill
/ to remain idle and pay the taxes.
| One of the iron and steel masters said: ~
know positively that only very few out Of thu
large number Of manufacturers made any
money last yeaf. In fact, might say thai
| they have made no money for several year
past. Another reason Why the manufactur.
ers are asking the Amalgamated AssoGia.
ton for . reduction in the new scals
Il because they know the Amalgamated has MOI
| treated every manufacturer alike in the PES
year. Certain hrms In the iron and steel bud
ness have been given scales which show 70
duction of 10 70 - Der cent under other mauu1sc-
sarszA The Pitt burx manu1aesursrs are -