The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-14


efforts to secure posse was detailed at
length. He was notified the night the
Pinkertons went up and he tried TO per.
suade them not TO send them as he feared
trouble. He was finally induced to send
Colonel Gray along to try to prevent
trouble. Sheriff McCleary said the people
would not serve on his posse because they
were afraid of being killed. This state
ment caused q general laugh, and Mr..
Boatner said the war feeling was not
stong here. The sheriff said he had not
authorized Colonel Gray to deputiZe the
Pinkertons. He did not go to Homestead
on the day of the trouble because il was
useless.
PRESIDENT wEIHE QUESTIONED.
President Weihe, of the Amalgamated
Associat alton, was the first witness sworn
for the iron. workers He also explained
the working of the sliding scale" of 1889,
and then pointed out the Objectionable
features of the new scale as prepared by
the firm. The men objected because they
could not stand the reduction in wages
taveraging about Is per cent?, and they
did not want the scale to expire In Janu-
ary. Other objections were that in some
jobs the men were reduced before they
reached the scale. Men were taken out by
the new scale and other men were expect
cd to do the extra work without pay. Al
ments and where the jobs are done away
with no objection is made. He then told of
the conferences with Mr.. Frick, stating
that the firm had set q date after W hich no
mated Association mas twenty-five thou
sand members. The objects of the associa-
tion are to obtain remuneration and see
that no advantage ~ taken.
Mr.. Taylor-Why do the workmen think
they arc justified in taking possession of
the milli
II do not think there is any who do. 1
think the men would have protected the
mills" =
would like to know why these men think
they had the right to take other peoples
prOpertyp said Judge Taylor. There
seems to be some queer IDEAS of the rights
of property. Was 1t not the object of these
by non-union menf"
Well that may be the object; l do not
know that it was"
well have little doubt that such wes
matters of physical resistance settled In
yourconv ntiOns"
mo. sir; they are purely local."
When did you offer to arbitrate this
question"
Not until after the trouble"
Are you willing to settle this question
by Arbitrationp
81 cannot say for the association. but the
homestead men &Te.
Are you In favor of an arbitration bill
by hioh all such matters Will be aettledp
asked Mr.. Bynum.
We'll, hardly know what the associa-
tion would do. So far as Ihave known work
men usually get the worst OF 1t. ] believe
that il will soon como to this, however.
. and, personally can see little objection to
1t. In my opinion compulsory arbitration
would not be success in this country. II
the arbitration was made compulsory all
ho do fn ovh fhai
books. The workmen believe they under
stand the business better than any one,
and think they and the manufacturer
should attend to their own business and
agree on something"
YES" said Mr.. Boatner. but you did not
seem to want to agree till several persons
were killed"
HUGH o'DoNNELI's TESTIMONY.
Hugh O'Donnell was called, and Mr..
Oates said: Now, Mr. O'DonneIi, while
we are not here to assume anything, we
wish you to know if the answers to any
questions we may ask you should tend to
crimlnate you. you need not answer them."
'Weli, am not afraid" said Mr. O'Don-
nell. II an one of the high.prced men,
and would not be much affected by the re-
duction," said the witness.
When the men went out the eight lodges
held a joint meeting and appointed the ad-
vlsory committee, of which witness was
chairman. Men were placed around the
fence to keep out irresponsible people.
This was done July 1. The men were in
structed to use only moral persuasion.
They were not instructed to keep any one
out of the mill. They were there to try
and persuade non-uDion men to remain ont
of the mill. I'VE intended to use only
peaceable means" said the witness. land
no one regrets more the assault than the
advisory committee does"
The witness then repeated the story of
the battle and his efforts to prevent the
firing by the crowd on the shore. The IN
human treatment of the Pinkertons after
the surrender, he said, was not the work
Of the strikers. but irrespon sible parties.
Witness said he AVERAGED Sl44 per month,
eight hours. under the old scale. He said
the works had built the town. About 40
per cent. were American-born. The per-
sons affected by the proposed scale were
most all American born.
What is the great cause of this hatred
for the Pinkertones"
''Well, you know the working people are
generally opposed to the Pinkertons."
We'll. whyp asked Chairman Oates.
I'VE are also investigating the Pinkertons
and the system which they employ and all
about them"
We'll, then. the laboring people look up
on the Pinkertons as enemies of the labor
ing man. The chief objection to them COM
Ing here WAS that they fear that with them
would come non-uniOn men,"
BURGESS M'LUCKIE's STATEMENTS.
John McLuckie. burgess of Homestead,
was next sworn. McLuckie is member of
the Amalgamated Association, and en-
ployed in the converting department of the
steeiworks. He knew nothing of the pro-
posed scale, except through hearsay, but
said: Il believe there are three points in
volved in it that differ from the old scale.
The first IS O change in the minimum; the
second il the change In the time of expira-
tion of the scale and the third reduction in
wages. The converting department. shut
down June 80, on account of the three
days agreement between the company and
It's employees" Mr.. McLuckle had heard
there was some trouble at the mill
arising out of the attempt to land Pinker-
ton men. but he did not witness the battle.
On invitation of the committee to make
any statement he desired. he said: Il de-
sire to be put on record to this effect:
think IL gigantic conspiracy on the part
OF this company ana its represen tatlyes.
aided and abetted by vicious legislation.
created with . view to depriving he work.
men OF this country of their most sacred
rights under the Constitution to life. lib
erty and the pursuit OF happiness. / think
that fact has been pretty clearly demon
strated. and If an opportunity were af-
forded think we would have no difficulty
in establishing the truth.
Three years ago at this same mill we had
trouble of a similar character. After con-
adorable resistance the firm finally siUned