The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-07-13
WHAT CAUSED THE STRIKE.
The workmen Wanted the Sliding Scale
Fixed Three Years Ago Renewed.

The trouble now existing at Homestead,
Pa, is not the first of the kind There was
n strike at the Homestead works three years
ago which was also very exciting for several
days. At the time Carnegie attempted to
put 100 deputies In charge of the mill TO pro-
tect non-union men. The deputies were met
at the depot by men, women and children,
who drove them out of town. Similar meth
DDS were used ut the time, but there was no
loss Of life. After several weeks n settle
ment was effected and three-year sliding
scale arranged. This scale expired on last
Thursday. June 80. IL was the pet scheme
of Andrew Carnegie TO Introduce a sliding
scale. The scale agreed upon was readiu Just
cd at the expiration of every three months.
The scale was based on the price OF steel bill
let's which were taken as a fair indicator OF
the state OF the market. When steel billets
were selling at high price the company
was to share its increased profits with its
workmen When steel billets we're falling
in price, the workmen were TO share the de-
creased profits of the company. But while
there was no limit fixed as far as the advance
of steel billets and the consequent advance
of wages was concerned, q minimum basis
was agreed upon. The minimum basis was
s25 per ton. That is TO say, where steel
bille,s fell in price below S25 per ton the
workmen were still to be paid at the rate of
S25 a ton.
This scale was advantageous to the work
men. The past three years demonstrated
this as for a long period of the latter part
of the three years steel billets averaged
much less than s25 ton. For the past IS
months the price of steel billets has been
fluctuating between s225o and $3.50. Dur
ing this time, however, the firm has paid
the Homestead workers Mt the rate Of s25
During the first part of the three years bill
let's were considerably above s25 and wages
were high.
In the main. the workers demanded that
the old scale he reafiirmed. They also asked
for some changes in the pay of the armor-
plate workers In this direction an increase
was demanded Some trouble ensued over
this last January, and for some time there
was danger of a strike. The trouble was
avertcd then. but not lost sight of. When the
firm presented its scale this year, q reduc-
ton of the minimum basis from S2j to 1913
was demanded. The Carnegie steel company
also stated that they would hold conferences
until June ~, but not after that date. Prob
ably Il dozen conferences were held with the
Homestead men, who are org1pizcd as
eight lodges of the Amalgamated ASSOCIATION
Of iron 1nd steel workers. Both sides maiii-
tained their respective positions without
deviation. II was a question of So ton,
and as the prospects, 1t was contended, are
for no betterment in the steel market for
the next six months, IL was very practical
question for both sides.
The final rupture came and the Carnegie
steel company refused to confer any more.
This declaration was made pubicly, and in
the same way the company, on last Satur-
day, declared that the Amalgamated associ
alton was not TO be recognized hencefortlr
at Homestead by the company II was fur
ther declared that the mill would be an open
mill, where all men could work regardless
of their atiiiation to or separation from any
labor organization. Each man who works
in the mill hereafter, the company SAYS
must sign an individual contract. The com
pany will deal with its employees as indi-
viduals only, they say. This is the substance
of the information, given from day to day
according to the developments in the situa-
tion.
While only some hundreds of skilled
workmen would be directly affected by the
cut demanded by the company, the men are.
making common cause believing that if a
hole is once made in their organization, the
danger of its sinking Will be greatly increas-
ed.
Early last week it was given ont that
about 700 mill lworkers-mechanics and 9TH
ers had signed the company's scale, through
foremen who acted as their representatives
The Amalgamated leaders at Homestead
said the signing was farce. The company
still claims that these 700 men are under
contract TO it, but have been forced TO breal:
their contracts, having been intimdated by
threats Of violence.