The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-07
BREWING OF THE BATTLE.
Story of the Incidents Which Led u
to the Clash.


to the Clash.
PIrTsBURG, July 6, 1880 P. M.-Pittsburg
has had another experience with labor riots
and this time, as during the fearful scenes
which were witnessed during the railroad
riots of 1877, blood has been she'd life
jeopardizsd and valuable property placed in
danger. This time there was no destruction
Of property, but the mob was thoroughly
well organized, well disciplined and had
efficient officers at its head 10 conduct
operations. The force embraced all the men
employed in the extenyivs plants Of the Car
negie Iron and Steel Company at Home
stead, some eight miles east Of Pittsburg,
and battle, which for bloodthlrssiness and
boldness of execution has not been excelled
in actual warfare, waged from O'Clock in
the morning until O'Clock this afternoon,
and only ceased when the force Of Pinker-
tons brought to the place to suppress the
strike, unconditionally surrendered, leaving
their arms in the barges Ia which they had
been transported to the works. The riot to-
day was che elimination of the troubles
which have been brewing at Homestead for
the past month. The Carnegie company
submitted a scale to govern their workmen
in the steel plants and announced that it
made a sweeping reduction iu the
wages of skilled men and it
was officially announced that unless the
terms were complied with before July l the
places Of the workmen would be filled by
others. This was followed by the peremp-
tory refusal on the part Of the company to
recognize the Amalgamated Association of
Steel and Iron Workers as such, or to con-
fer with aay committee Of workmen short
of an acceptance of the terms offered. The
men stated that they would never submit
to the proposed reduction, and announced
their determination to resist any effort on
the part of the Carnegies to start up their
plants with non-dnion men.
BOTH SIDES MADE READY.
AS both sides were determined, both pro-
ceeded to prepare for the contest, which
eliminated in the deeds of violence and
bloodshed that were witnessed to-day in the
big hive Of industry on the Monongahela.
The contest was precipitated by the work
men at Homestead by hanging FL. @. Friek,
the president Of the company, la ef1gy, and
in retalia ton the company ordered an im-
mediate shut down Of the big works two
days before the time provided by the con-
tract under which the men were working
The employees at once proceeded to organize
for the defensive and the company erected a
high board fence around the entire works,
giving them the appearance of an immense
stockade, the sides being pierced with port
holes. Yesterday the Carnegie com
pany announced their intention to
proceed to get ready to make re
pairs and the officials asked the sheriff
to appoint deputies to protect their prop
erty. The sheriff seat a small squad Of
men up to the works. but the strikers as
sembled and notified them to get out of
town, as no disorder was intended and that
no damage would be done to auy property.
They even offered TO be sworn in as deputies
and to give bonds for the faithful perform
- Al -
peace When this offer was declined the
advisory committee, which had been direct
ing the action of the workmen, and
which had held the turbulent
spirits Rmong the workmen in
check, was Immediately dissolved
and all the records Of the committee were
promptly destroyed. The developments to-
day showed that the application made for
assistance from the sheriff was merely for
the purpose of covering what was intended
to be a coup de nldtn on the part OF the
Carnegie company in .clandestinely intro
ducing body of Pinkerton detectives into
the mill inclosure. The detectives had
been rendezvoused some hye or six miles
below the city on the Ohio river, at point
where two model barges bad been prepared
for them.
REGULAR GUNBoATs.
The barges we're of the best build, and
were used in shipping iron rails down the
river from the Carnegie mill at Braddock.
The holds were fitted up with hunks, cook
ing arrangements and other accommoda-
ii ons, and as an extra precauticn, as If In
preparation for the siege to which they were
subjected to-day. were lined with heavy
steel plates on the inside, while the whole
back deck was protected in a similar mans
ner. 1t was the intention that the men
should reach the works about O'Clock this
morning, but the guards which were
threatened invasion Of the hated Pinkerton
mon and prepared to receive them. The
barges we're towed up the river by tow
boat, but long before the Pinkerton men
reached Homestead thousands of strikers
had gathered on the banks. Of the river