St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-07-13

the lake are held under orders. The
remaining troops at Fort Sherman are.
expecting orders to follow. Trouble IS
feared upon the arrival of the troops,
and if it should occur there will be a.
terrible slaughter, as the strikers are
we'll armed with WincheSters.
VIEW THE BATTLE FIELD.
HOMESTEAD. Pa, July H. The con-
gressiOnai committee. under the leader
ship of Mr.. Oates, the chairman, ar
rived in Homestead in the middle of
the excitement over the reception of
the troops. The party came in a
special car which was side-tracked at
Munhall, Just above the Carnegie mill.
AS soon as it was known that the party
was in the city. which was not until
after they had been here for some time,
a delegation from the locked-nut work
men visited them and rendered the hos
pitalities of the city. Mr.Oates and the
other members of the committee had
an informal talk with Hugh O'Donneli,
who was specially requested to be pres
ent at the investigation in Pittsburg.
Several other of the strikers were ques-
toned, and in rough way the case OF
the men. particularly in regard to the
battle with the Pinkertons, was blocked
out. Mr.. Child also had an in-
formal talk with the congressman. but
he pleaded TO them as to the news
paper men, that he had Ino information
to give and the officers of the company
at PittSburg would give every facility
TO the committee. No real attempt
was made to examine any wit
nesses. The congressman then ex-
pressed a desire to view the scene of
the late engagement, and quite
a large party made up of strikers. .volun-
teers, clergymen, newspaper men and
soldiers started to the works. There
was quite parley at the gate, MI.
ChildS not wishing TO admit some of the
party. One of the policemen, who have
come out of their hotels since the mill
tary took possession of the town, sug-
gested:
1.-The party would not be too big, Mr..
Childs, if we just turned these reporters
back"
MIR. Childs, however. admitted every
body, and a long walk through the
grounds followed. The battle ground
on the river bank was pointed out and
the position of the Pinkerton barges in
dIcated, the bullet marks still in evil
dence were examined, and a good mental
knowledge of the engagement was Ger
tainly secured by each of the iDquisi-
tors. The committee was escorted back
10 the train, leaving III time to reach
Pittsburg for supper.
PITTsBURG, Pa. July 12.-The COM
mittee got back from Homestead at q
O'Clock, and it was two hours later be-
fore the Investigation began. Conspie-
nous among those present were II. G.
Frck and Supt. Pattcn, of the Carnegie
company, ,and President William Weihe.
Vice President Roberts. David Lynch
0f 81, n,,ftx
Chairman Oates Swore Mr. Frick, and
conducted the direct examination. Mr.
Frick said the company was not a. cor
poration; it was formed under the lltn-
tied partnership laws of Pennsylvania.
what business is the association engaged
int''
"They are owners of the Edgar Thomson.
Bessemer. Homestead and Duquesne steel
works, Lucy Furnace, the Keystone Bridge
works, the Upper and Lower mills, Beaver
Falls mills, Scotia ore mines. Larimer ana
Youghiogheny coke works. We employ in
the several establishments about 1900 men.
"How many men do YOU employ at Home
stead?'
About $500. The concern was engaged in
the manufacture or armor plate for the gov
ernment. The contract calls for about 6000
tons of plates ranging in thickness from four
to twenty inches"
will you now state the different classes of
workmen employed in your Homestead plant
Yes, can. Do you desire those only af-
fected by the proposed new scale?''
Mr.. Oates-We prefer you TO state all the
classes of men employed and the wages paid
each class.
Mr.. Frick here produced the pay roll of
the 1i9-inch mill for the month of May las,
which contained the name of every man and
boy employed, in that department. the NUM-
Der of days he worked and the amount
he received The wages ranged all the
way from $40 to S215 per month. The wages
of the rollers were the highest These aver
aged from $3.50 to S27o for the month, the heat
ers from SiS5 to S191, heaters helpers alb out
Sl30; the rail men from S97 to S12O; head
shearers, S100; shearers' helpers S95; gaug-
ers, S75. and variety of other men averag-
ing about S75. The total amount paid i'll
wages 10 this department for the month of
May was S2O.202.D5.
Mir. Oates-How many departments are
there in your Homestead mill?
Mr.. Frick-I think twelve The witness
explained the numerous departments and
the number of men employed in each.
Mr. OateS-Now, MIR. Frick, you have
spoken of the earnings of several skilled
workmen. Upon what basis are these men
paid? "
Mr.. Frick-Upon the basis of a contract
made July 1. 1885, which was to run for three
years. expiring July ]. 1892. 1t is known as
the sliding scale system. The rates when
agreed 10 were to run for three mouths. de-
termiiled upon the average selling price of
steel billets. and the average price of one
term to be the basis for the next three
months, the standard grade 4x4 billets to be
the basis of price.
Mr.. Oates-What is the cost Of production
per ton?
Mr. Frick-I don't think that is fair ques-
ton. / don't think that you should ask that
Mr.. Taylor-Would you object to telling
the cost OF a ton of steel, including every
thing?
Mr.. Frick-Yes. sir; would have the same
objection.
Mr.. Boatner-You don't propose. to give
away any of the secrets of the trade?
Mr.. Frick-NO. sir, not yet.
Mr.. OatesrWill you state the labor cost
alone?
MT. Frick-That would be equivalent to
stating the whole cost. -
Mr.. Oates-In consequence of all these dis
agreements which resulted?
In answer 10 the question Mr. Frick read
his interview given to George Mccain the day
following the Homestead riot, which was ad.
mitted as evidence.
Mr.. Oates-You state that after the sheriff
failed you employed the Pinkertons. Did
you appeal to the governor?
MIR. Frick-No, sir The experience of
past years was that the sheriff was powerless
We concluded to employ our own watch
men, put them on our own prop
tect it. We hired them and agreed
TO pay them S. per day, and we secured 800
of them OH July "a. We concluded it would
be necessary to protect our own property
and employ new men.
Mr.. Boatner-Non-union men?
Mr.. Frick-We did not care whether they
were union or non-union-so on June 25 we
wrote the following letter 10 the Pinkerton
agency in New York:
The Carnegie Steel Company, Pittsburg,
June 25, 1S92-Dear Sir: am in receipt Of
your favor of the 22d. We will need 800
guards for service at our Homestead mills as
measure of precaution against inter-
ference with our plans to start OPP
Grafton of the works July 6, = 1892
| The only trouble we anticipate is
/ that ali attempt will be made to prevent such
of Our men with whom wa will hv that time