The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-07
The Trouble at Carnesie's Mills.

Tn0 Trouble at CarneRle'S Mills.
The conflict between Pinkerton's detect
ives and the locSed-out workmen Of
Carnegie & Co.'S steel and iron mills, at
Homestead yesterday, was most deplor-
able affair. From our dispatches this morn
ing, it appears that the detectives were the
aggressors. They fired the first shot had
they not begin 80 hasty in using their rifles
the battle. in which many were killed and
many more wounded, might have been
averted for a time at least.
The whole country has been watching the
trouble between Carnegie & Co. and their
workmen for some time, and the expecta-
ton has been that blood would be spilled
before it was ended. The company pro-
posed to reduce wages and the workmen re-
sisted reduction. The workmen were will
ing to accept some reduction, but not so
much as Carnegie & Co. insisted upon.
Finally, Carnegie & Co. stated they would
give a certain rate and no more. This the
workmen declined to accept, and prepared
for strike. Before they carried out their
purpose, however, Carnegie & Co. closed
the mills and there was lockout instead
Of a strike.
But Carnegie & Co. did not intend that
their immense plant should remain idle.
They prepared to employ other men. The
workmen prepared to prevent other men
taking their places. The Pinkerton de-
tectives were sent to the mills for the pur-
pose Of guarding the property against injury
and protecting the new men who had been
employed, and who were soon expected at
the mills. The detectives were preparing to
land from their barge at the mills when the
battle between them and the workmen be-
gan.
There is a strong feeling throughout the
country against the making Of Pinkerton's
detectives factor in labor troubles. They
are men who, as a rule. have no respect for
human life, and when they are resisted are
quick TO use deadly weapons. Many Of
them are adventurers who are will
ing TO engage in any kind OF
desperate undertaking. On several COCA
sions within the last year or two they have
aroused public Indignation by their acts Of
violence in cases in which their services
had been secured by employers who were
having trouble with strikers. This affair
at Homestead. II they were, as reported,
the aggressors, will have the effect OF Gre
ating q strong public sentiment against
them and bringing about legislation that
will prevent their employment In labor
troubles.
But It may be asked what are en-
ployers TO do when workmen strike,
and will neither accept the compensa-
ton offered, nor let others accept
it, The answer is that employers must de-
pend upon the regularly constituted author
tiles. Carnegie s. Co. employ Thousands of
men. who could easily resist the sheriff aud
all the deputies be could get to assist him,
but il the sheriff found himself powerless,
he could call on the governor for help. That
is what he has done and st is probable that
the state militia will have to take part in
the trouble at Homestead before it is finally
settled.
It may be said that the workmen at
Homestead did NOT intend 70 permit the
detectives to enter the place, aud that the
detectives would have been attacked If they
had not begun the attack. That may be
true, but that Is not the question with
which the public will concern itself. The
question is whether 1t is advisable to permit
an irresponsible body Of men to be engaged
to perform the duty which the law says
shall be performed by the local authorities,
or If they are unequal to the emergency, by
the state authorities.