Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-25
INVESTIGATING THE PINKERTONS,
Labor Leaders Give Their Views to the Sena.
tors at Pittsburg.

Labor Leaders Give Their Views to the Sena.
tors at Pittsburg.
The Senate subcommittee investigating Pink.
ertonism and the Homestead strike resumed a,
Pittsburg yesterday.
Capt. W. L. Rodgers told the familiar story
of the voyage of the steamer Little Bill on the
morning of July 6, when the Pinkerton guards
were transported on the barges to Homestead
His testimony developed nothing new, as wal
the case with all the other witnesses who had
previously testified before the House committee
in July.
Ex-President Weihc of the Amalr mated As
ISOLATION described the range of wages of the
Homestead mill men. placing the average at ga
per day. He explained the associa ions methods
of holding conferences and sid Cancellation
was always practiced when possible.
Il think, said Mr.. Weihe. that the Car
negie Company could easily have paid the old
wages to the men affected by the reduction and
be largely ahead today. The reduction affected
four departments, about 800 men, or less than
one-tenth of the whole number. The men
would not have fired upon the regular troops or
militia or any other regularly constituted au-
thority, as they did upon the Pinkertons. Had
the company been willing to keep up friendly
conferences after June "A the trouble would
probably have been settled amicaby.
heard no threats Of destroying the mill prop
erty, and when asked to go with the sheriff to
aid in restraining the men on July thought
best to seek an interview with Mr.. Frick and
ask him to withdraw the barges / was refused an
interview by Mr. Prick and soon after heard of
the burning of the barges. Most of our labor
troubles are caused by foreigners who cannot
speak the English language and are unac-
quainted with American ideas. and who cannot
be taught the highest duties of American citi-
zenshlp. l think the general government
should take prompt measures to stop unre-
stricted immigration. The labor organizations
would sustain any party in enacting law to
remedy this evil. There was no necessity for
the employment of armed guards at Home
stead
VIM. q. Roberts. ex-vice president of the
Analgamated Association, prominent MEN,
Der of the famous advisory committee Of Home
stead. did not approve of the action Of July 6.
The men thought the reduction was intended
to force strike. and looked upon the employ
ment of Pinkerton's men as an unfair way of
enforcing submission. The Carnegie Com
pany has q black list and does refuse to en-
ploy men who took part in the strike. Hatred
for the Pinkertons caused the trouble on July
6. but the fact that the workmen do not share
adequately in the profits of big concerns is
what caused the reckless spirit. Compulsory
arbitration established by the government, the
board having full power to enforce its de-
cisions. is the best method of adjusting wage
disputes" lie knew tDat the efforts of the
Homestead men to protect the company's
property were made in good faith
Judge Thomas Mellon stated that the lack of
prompt enforcement of the law by county sher-
ifs necessitates the employment Of armed
guards By large companies. Sheriffs are slow
in performing this kind of duty on account Of
its political effects.
The committee then adjourned to meet in
New York tomorrow morning. at which time
Robert A. Pinkerton will testify.