The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-21

Frick came upon the scene. that IL was no
80 much a question OF disagreement but
design upon labor organization itself tina
would prevent a settlement. Mr.. Fricl
peremptorily decided the conference At an
end.
Upon the Adjournment Of the Amalga.
mated association the whole matter wa!
lodges. with the promise of such support
and assistano 90 Rs the organization Al larRe
should see p.ope and necessary to extend
to them. The old agreement was to have
expired on the last day of June. but the
Arm anticipated that event. for reasons OF
in advance, thus bringing about = lookout
instead of a strike.
When the gates Of the Ave million dollar
steel plant were closed probably the first
step taken was the formation of an advisory
committee. This body consisted Of Atty Of
our best men, and the purposes Tor which
it was organized were the most worthy. l
attended all its meetings, and all ita SEES
sions we're alike in II respect, and that
was the devising OF ways and means to pre-
serve tho peace, to hold the men in check
and to see that the great struggle was CON
chosen chairman l found myself
called upon to oversee and perfect the de-
tails Of the ~workingmen's organization.
All went we'll until Tuesday. July s. when
rumors that armed Pinkertons we're about
to invade our peaceful hamlet gained eircu-
lation. We endeavored to deny these
stories, but the $500 or more workmen, hav-
ing in mind their own protection. the wei
fare Of their families and their future hap
piness in this world. could not be Gained.
Previous deeds of Pinkerton men and their
~actions in strikes in other parts Of the
United States flashed before the eyes of
the Homestead men.
Tit story Of the arrival of the barges
loaded with men bearing the brand OF
Pinkertonism and their attempt to enter
the works in the silent hours OF the early
morning ia already known in every house
We did our best to protect the Pink
ertons. but were unable to cope with the
workmsn that filled every avenue.
Those who participated in the assault we're
not the men who fought at the frontd during
the day, but those who were furthest away
when actual fighting was being done.
have been asked to give my opinion "a
to how far force should be resortsd to when
difficulties arise between employers and
employees. In my opinion force should
never be resorted to except when life or
property is in danger. l would advocate
suasior.
The Homestead outbreak was not an o.
one. II was not one of those affairs
in which men participate only to accom-
plish injury to life and property without
any definite object in view. Homestead ia
the abiding place of trained and skilled
men who easn a livelihood in one of the
manufacturing establishments in
the world. Their interests are centered
here and they were aroused whom it he-
known that the Carnegie Steel COM
intended to import armed mon into a
community without sufficient
cause.
As to some Of the better ways of settling
disputes, I think that conferences or
should be ,esortsd to. When
F%erences are useless, and again, when one !
'lde shows a willingness to mako certain
CONCESSIONS and the other does not. we find
ourselves in q dilemma. With such a feel I
ng existing as / have cited I think arbitra- a
the only solution to the problem. +
On tqe question of settling labor disputes :
~ arbitration it may not be out of place to {
mote Andrew Carnegie, who on this point !
II consider that of all the agencies
Immediately available to prevent wastsful
nd embittsring contests. which cannot :
.therwise be averted between capital and y,
abor, arbitration is the most powerful and t
most beneficial" a
Organized labor is certainly entitled to c
nost esI ectful recognition and its demands
holld always be given due consideration.
% qnote from Mr.. Carnegie again: :
me right OF the ~workinQmen to combine
nd TO NJ trades unions Is no less sac. ed =
han the right of the manufacturer to enter ,,
ato associations and conferences with his :
and it must be sooner or later con- Q
eded. Ind ed, it gives one but a poor
pinion of the American workman il he 9
light which his fellow Eng :
shman has conquered for himself long 8
nee. My experience has been that trades 5
MONS UPON the whole are beneficial, both s
, labor and capital. They certainly edu- q
ate the w~orkiuqman and give him a tsuer 9
conception OF the relations Of capital and !
.bor than he could otherwise form. The j
blest and best workmen eventually come
, the front in these organizations"
In conclusion l would say that it is
'orthy of note that the strained relations -
'hich exist at Homestead TO- day between {
apital and labor have in no manner been \
rou2ht about by any unreasonable de- t
lands nor unwise action upon the part of E
be workmen. he facts show that the lat 1
n have been unusually generous and rea- a
Enable in their endeavo 8 to bring about
IL amicable settlement of the dispute. b
Hugh O'DoSNELL, I