The morning call., 1892-08-07
Congressman Gates Reports on tho
Homestead Troubles.
ARBITRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIRs.
Priek's Manner Too AHiOcratic- Rights Of the
RerkiHgmen-C Congress Has No Power
TO Interfere.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6. = Representative
Oates Of Alabama. the Democratic chair
man OF the subcommittee of the House
which has been investigating the labor
troubles at Homestead and the connection
of the Pinkerton detectives Herewith, sub
mitted report to the committee, which was
not agreed TO. No member questioned its
correctness, but the Republican members
would not assent to what he said upon the
tariff, and the majority of the Democratic
members of the committee thought ii was
fmpGliiie to make any report until the entire
investigation was completed which could
not be done before the second session os
Congress. Therefore postponement Of
the report was made until next winter.
The report prepared by Oates says that
the Pinkertons who surrendered were bru-
tally and outrageously treated. principally
by women and boys. and Oates is loath 10
believe that any Of these women are native
Americans. He says the indignitles TO
which they were subjected was disgrace
70 elyHzauon. Oates was asked whether
tue carnegie firm was justified In equity and
gooo conscience Id proposing reduction.
Worthy OF Good Wages.
In answer he says that Frick declined to
state the cost of ton of Bessemer steci
billets and the labor cost. The men were
paid satisfactory wages, but the work much
abbreyiates the natural period of life aud
should be we'll paid for. lie thinks the
company should have some of the benefits
of the profits resulting from the use OF i'm
proved machinery. tie condemns the Nc
Kinney law Tor its failure to benefit Ameri-
can workmen, and says the promises made
10 the operatives have been disapp0nt-
ment Had Friek stated the bottom facts
to the committee they would have agreed
that tie proposition 10 reduce the wages
was justifable, but they took issue with
him IN his conclusion that the tariff did not
cause the decline in prices.
Oates finds further that the conduct Of the
company toward its employees was kind In
many respects. 1t loaned them money at
low interest to build homes and never fore
closed the mortgages. but in the wage
negotiation the officers did not exercise
patience. and FTck seems to have been too
stern, brusque and somewhat autOcratic.
Appealed to Reason.
Oates is persuaded that If Frick had ap-
pealed to the reason Of his employees aud
shown them the state of the company's
affairs a reduction might have been made
and no trouble followed. The Pennsyt-
yania law contains nothing to prevent
Frick from employing Plnkertou men as
watehnen at Homestead, but says under
the circumstances he should cot have done
so. He made oVertureS to the Pinkertons
before the negotiations with the men were
interrupted, and did not appeal to the
county or State authorities in the first in
stance for protection.
Oates asserts that Sheriff McCleary Is
very inefficient officer, but says had Frck
aided him and joined in his appeal to the
Governor Instead of employing Pinkertons
the State would have furnished sufficient
force to protect his property. Oates con-
demns as unlawful the acts OF the workman
in turning away the Sheriff ana said it was
the purpose of the Amalgamated Association
70 prevent the employment of nou-union
men aud declares that no organization
has the right to enforce its wishes by
strong-handed defiance of the law. The
men had no legal right to resist the coming
OF the Pinkert0ns and are answerable to
the Pennsylvania courts. In conclusion
Oates finds that Congress has no power over
the questions involved
The Cuban Canard.
A telegram from the Collector of Customs
at Key West expresses the belief that there
Is no foundation for the report that an ex-
pedition has started from there to invade
Cuba. The Spanish Consul at Key West
thinks the rumor blind to cover move
ment from some other point.
Postmasters Appointed.
r. II. Wendt has been appointed Post
master at Chicago Park, Nevada County,
Cal, vice V. E. Caldwell resigned, and A.
". Beam at Selby, Contra Costa County,
Cal, vice 2. Selby resigned.
Pensions Granted.
Pensions have been granted as follows:
California-Daniel Maloney, Friederich
Rose, William Denno. Thomas w. Haley,
John II. Potter. John H. Gels Juan Car
rillo. Rufus Crosby, Joseph Dobbins, New
ton Ambrose, Joseph d. Briggs. William
Wilson. Samuel Golding, Walter III. EIIard,
Patrick II. Hurley, Louis G. Cleveland,
Charles S. Gray, Josiah 2. Norton, Robert
N. Powers. Henry b. Mason. john Fortune.
Catherine MuntZ.