Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-07-21
THE HIGHEST WAGES PAID.
Mr.. Frick Explains still Further to tho
Congregational Committee.

PITTSBURG, Pa, July 10. When the
congressional committee resumed its investi-
Ga ion of the Homestead trouble this morn
ing about 80 persons were present, including
Mr.. Frck and Messrs Weibe, O'Donnell,
Carney and other members of the Anal
gamated association. The examination of
Mr.. Frick was continued.
Mr.. Frick said the arms we're consigned
to the Union Supply company, and by it
delivered to Captain Rodgers OF the steamer
Little Bill His arrangements to obtain
Pinkerton men were completed July l. ESQ
far as he knew there was no letter from
Pinkerton accepting the offer contained in
the letter of June 20. The negotiate ons
were carried on by Mr.. Frick, the New York
agent, and the Philadelphia agent.
Did you have anything to do with fur
nishng the arms - asked Mr. Boatner.
Il am not sure, " replied the witness. 81
may have had, but | cannot say.
may have and likely did have with our New
York agent Mir Schroonmekcr.
Mr.. Boatner tried to get the witness to
answer directly whether his firm had ad-
vised Pinkerton that arms would be needed,
but all Mr.. Prick would say was that he
believed he had.
Mr.. Boatner-"Iu thu employment Of
these men, was it stipulated they were 20 be
armedY'
'No sir, think not.
Mr.. Boatner-'Ile has evaded this ques-
ton all through
At Chairman Oates request, the witness
again explained the sliding scale. Mr.. Frick
said the prices paid for similar work at
Homestead were higher than the prices paid
in any other place. They are at least four
per cent higher than those paid in the Last
ern mills.
"lid you join in the request for troops -
mo; did not till Sunday night when
l wired the governor that l believed the
troops Were necessary. This was unknown
to the sheriff.
Mr. Boatner asked if the table made Of
| the amount paid the men was for them
selves, and Tnen Mr. Frck said "Nes, -
Mr. Boatner said, "Wel, those are the
highest wages l ever heard OF. "
Witness sad the introduction Of improved
| ed machinery would increase the cost of
production II per cent, and that the men
worked about go days in the year
Captain Rodgers was the next witness
aud told OF the arrangement made with him
by Mr. Prick to take the barges to Home
stead Captain Rodgers said ho met Deputy
Sheriff Pray at the Davis Island dam. Gray
/
| ly. The witness detailed the story of the
lighting and said the first shot was fred 10y
| the strikers.
Sheriff McCleary testified that counsel for
the Carnegics had notified him a week be-
fore the men went out that there would be
trouble and that the company had arranged
to send 800 men to Homestead, and they
wanted them deputiled. He was notified
July that he must protect the property oil
the company. On Tuesday he sent II depute:
to the works, and they were driven away.
| His efforts to secure a posse were detailel
at length. He was notified the night the
| Pinkortons went up, and he tried to per
suadc them to stay away as he feared
trouble. He was finally induced to sent
Col. Gray along to prevent trouble. Sheriff
| McCleary said people would not serve on hi!
posse because they were afraid of being
| l.iIIal