Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-07-14
AFTER THE BATTLE.


Everything Quiet at Homestead Tho De-
structinn nt the Carnegie works RE-
paired Fricks Views of the Case.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July a~-After the
carnage Of Wednesday the town Of
Homestead yesterday was almost AS
quiet as sleepy country village and
the sad duty OF "a decent intennent to
three of the striking worlSmen who
were instantly killed Ia the battle that
ragged iiercely along the benutiful banks
OF the Monongaheln was the chief re-
mindcr of the bloody combat
The strikers are masters Of the situa-
tion and the best evidence that they
could produce of their intention to pro-
tect property and not turn the town
into a hell whore anarchy and destruc-
tion rule lies at the scene of Wednes-
day nights battle, where the immense
plant Of the firm of Carnegie, phipps "
co. stands practically unniured
The ruin that was incident to prcpar-
alton for warfare has been repaired,
the dismantled fence around the works
has been rebuilt, the yard has been
cleared of all debris, and inside the
works the old watchmen Of the firm
peacefully perform their customary PM
troll.
FRIcK's VIEWS or THE CASE,
PITrsDuRGn, Pa, July s II. G. Fricls,
chairman Of the Carnegie Steel Co, was
interviewed MS follows by George N.
Mccain, the correspondent of the Phila-
dclphia Press.
"What was the basis of the differ
enccs existing between the Carnegie
company and their men, Mr.. FriclS?"
"Therc were three points upon " hich
we differed. The skilled worlSmen in
the Amalgamatcd association work
under what is known us sliding
scale. As the price of steel advances the
earnings of the men advance; MS the
prices fall their earnings decrease in
proportion. While there is No limit to
an advance of earning on the scale,
there is a point at which the decline
stops. 1t is known as the minimum and
the figure heretofore has been $25 per
ton for 4X4 Bessemer billcts, We be-
lieve that If earning based on the sell
ing price of steel can advance without
limit the workmen should be willing to
follow the selling price down to reas-
enable minimum and SO this figure was
finally fixed by the Carnegie company at
the rate of S23 instead of S2j. The reason
for asking this upon our part was that
the Carnegie company has spent large
sums in the introduction Of new ma
chinery In its Homestead plant by
means of which the workmen were en-
ablcd TO increase the daily output,
thereby increasing the amount of their
own earnings. We had originally
asked u reduction TO S22, but
subsequently agreed to compromise
the rate Mt S23. The Amalgamated
association was unwilling TO consider
reduction below S25 on steel billets,
Notwithstanding the fact that the inn
proved machinery would enable their
members even at s23 to earn more than
is paid in other Amalgamated mills.
This was the first point at issue.
"Under the present Amalgamated
system the date of expiration of the
sliding scale is June 30, annually. We
ask that this date be changed to De-
cember 81 (same rs at Edgar Thomp-
SOM for the reason that the change
would permit us to take our estimate
upon the wages that we must pay dur
ing the year beginning on January /, so
that we would be enabled TO make con-
tracts for the year accordingly This
point the Amalgamated association re-
fused TO accede and demanded the old
date.
"Why did the Carnegie company call |
upon the Pinkertons for watchmen 10 |
protect their property
I'VE did not see how else we would |
have protection. We only wanted them
for watchmen TO protect our property !
and see that worlSmen we would take
TO IIomestead-and we have had appli- |
cations from many men to go TO work
were not interfered with"
ibid you doubt the ability Of the |
sheriff to enforce order ut Homestead |
and protect your property?"
YES, sir, with local deputies"
"Why2"
For the reason that three years ago |
our concern had an experience similar |
to this. We felt the necessity Of a
,haugc at the works; that scale should |
be adopted based on the sliding price Of |
billets and we asked the county author
tiles for protection. The workmen be- |
gan tactics similar to those employed in |
Ihe present troubles The sheriff |
assured the member Of the firm |
that there would be no difficulty, |
that he would give them ample |
and see that men who |
were willing TO work were not inter. |
rered with. What was the result? The |
posse taken up by the sheriff some
Thing over 100 men-were not permit |
ted to land on our property; were driven
of with threats of bodily harm and it
looked as IL there was going TO be great
destruction Of life and property. That
frightened our people and an agree
nent was made and work resumed.
We did not propose this time to be
placed in that position
"The Pinkerton men, as generally
had been summoned after
III arrangements made with them TO be
)n hand in ease Of failure by the sheriff
10 afford protection. Is that n fact or
not2'
The facts concerning the engage
ncnt OF the PinlScrton men are these:
From past experience, not only with
he present sheriff, but with all others,
.e have found that he has been unable
% furnish rs with a sufficient mum
Der of deputies TO guard our property
md protect the men who were anxious
% work on our terms"
Carnegie Refuses TO Talk.
LONDON, July s-A correspondent Of
he United Press has been tracking Mr..