Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-08
THE HOMESTEAD INVESTIGATION.
The Conclusion Reached by Chairman Oates
From the Testimony Heard.

The Conclusion Reached by Chairman Oates
From the Testimony Heard.
Mr.. Ostes, chairman Of the subcommittee Of
the House which investigated the labor troubles
at Homestead and the connection Of the Pink
erton detectives Herewith, submitted q report
to the committee, which was not agreed to- No
member questioned its correctness, its state
ments Of facts or conclusions Of law, but the re-
publican members of the committee would not
assent to what he said on the tariff and a ma
jority Of the democratic members of the COM
mittee thought it impolitic to make any report
until the entire investigation was completed,
which could not be done before the second ses-
sion OF Congress. Therefore a postponement
of the report was made until next winter Tho
report prepared by Mr.. Oates having been re-
Jected by the committee, he gave it to the pub
lie as his individual opinion of the matters in
vestigated- The report begins with statement
OF the movements of the subcommittee fol-
lowed by description of the works at Home
stead, the number Of employees, the rates Of
wages, the negotiations between the company
and the Amalgamated Association preceding the
outbreak, the contentious of both sides, and
finally an account of the disastrous ending Of
the attempt to land the Pinkertons. 1t is said
that the Pinkertons who surrendered were
brutally and outrageously treated. principally
believe that any Of these women are native
Americans. He says that the indignities to
which they were subjected was q disgrace to
civilization.
Mr.. Oates asked whether the Carnegie firm
was justified in equity and good conscience in
proposing the reduction OF wages. I answer,
he says, that Mr.. Prick declined to state the
cost OF ton OF Bessemer steel billets and the
labor cost. The men were paid satisfactory
wages. but the work much abbreviates the
natural period Of life and should be well paid
for. He thinks that the company should have
some Of the benefits Of the profits resulting
from the use of improved machinery. He con-
dennis the Mckinley law for its failure to bene-
mt the American workmen, and says the
promises made to the operatives have been
Disappointing
Mr.. Oates finds further that the conduct Of
the company tow'rd its employees was kind in
many respects. 1t loaned them money at low
interest to build homes and never foreclosed
mortgages. but in the strike negotiations the
officers did not exercise patience, indulgence
and solicitude, and Mr.. Prick, according to Mr..
Oates. who IL a business man OF great intelli-
gence, seems to have been too stern, brusque
and somewhat autocratic. Mr.. Oates is per-
suaded that il Mr.. Prick had appealed to the
reason Of the employees and shown them the
state OF the company's affairs the reduction
might have been made and no trouble have
followed.
Mr.. Oates finds that the Pennsylvania law
contains nothing to prevent Mr.. Prick from
employing Pinkerton men rs watchmen at
Homestead, but says that under the circum-
stances be should not have done SO. He made
overtures to the Pinkertons before the nego-
tiatiOns with the men were interrupted, and did
not appeal to the county or state authorities
in the first instance for protection. He asserts
that Sheriff Cleary lisa very inefficient officer,
but says that had Mr.. Frck aided him and
Joined in his appeal to the governor instead OF
employing Pinkertons the state would have
furnished sufficient force to have protected
the property.
Mr.. Oates condemns rs unlawful the acts Of
the men in turning away the sheriff and as in
suting in hanging in efigy Messrs. Prick and
Potter. He says it was the purpose of the
Amalgamated Association to prevent the en-
ployment Of non-union men, and he declares
that no organization has right to enforce its
wishes by strong-handed defiance Of law. The
men had no legal right to resist the coming Of
the Pinkertons, and are answerable to the Penn
sylvania courts.
In conclusion Mr.. Oates finds that Congress
has no power over the questions involved. The
enactment Of o satisfactory arbitration law is
well nigh impossible. As to whether Congress
has the power to regulate or suppress Pinker-
tonism Mr.. Oates says he has no opinion to
express until the conclusion of the investigation
next session.