Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-07-23
p1NKERfoN's STORY.
A Fuller Account Of Pinkerton's
Explanation.

A Fuller Account Of Pinkerton's
Explanation.
WASHINGTON, July 23.--The speci
al committee of the house inquiripe
into the Homestead troubles heard
the Pinkerton's side this morning.
Robert Pinkerton presented state
ment covering the history Of his
agency since its organization in 1850,
stating that for twenty years IL had
furnished men to protect property
during strikes. These men were
carefully selected, and seldom per-
mitted 10 carry arms except under
public authority. They never want
only fired shot ia any strike. Til,
men were sent to Homestead only
on the assurance that the sheriff
would swear them In as deputies If
necessary. Many Of these men were
regular employees, thoroughly tried
and trustworthy, others were vouch-
ed for. They did not go into Pen
sylvanis as an armed force. The
arms were shipped from Chicago
aud ordered not to be given the
men unless deputized by the sheriff.
AS matter of fact, the the boxes
were not opened until the strikers
opened fire and it became a matter
of life and death. Klein had been
killed and five others wounded be-
fore the Pinkerton's returned fire.
The Pinhert,n men were handicap
ped in the fight by the fact that the
strikers made a breastwork by plac-
ing the women and children in
font.
Robert PInkerton was called to the
stand and required to answer a long
list of questions which were prepared
by representatives of the Knights of
Labor. The replies, in substance,
were that the Pinkerton agency
owned about $50 rifles, 400 pistols, and
equal number Of clubs, all deposited
at Chicago. In all the branches of
the firm there never had at any one
time more than 300 persons in its
employ. EMPLOYEES were advised ex-
actly what they were to do and were
perfectly at liberty to refuse employ
ment In which they objected. All
men sent to Homestead knew the
nature of the employment. Barges
were not constructed for the purpose
Of protection, were not lined with
IRON or steel, and could not resist
small arms. The men would never
have been allowed to start on the
expedition If it had known they
we're to he attacked before landing.
Barges were employed because 1t was
the men would be able to
and without breach of the peace,
md the landing was to be made at {
light for the reason that the sheriff's 1
orce had been resisted in the day I
ime and it was expected the strikers I
would be In bed. His sole desire was \
y all means to avoid q breach of a
be peace, otherwise the men would
'ot have been permitted to go unless
uthorized by the governor or depu-
lied by the sheriff. The only pur- "
ose was to put the men upon
rivate property, and then protect it +
'om attack. The men would not "
re except as matter of self defense. "
Chairman Oates asked the witness u
hat he had to say of the statement e'
nat fifty good soldiers could have q,
,attered Homestead, and that cow ~
rdice Was shown by the Pinkertons. y
he witness replies that he had talk. IL
with his men,and they said they =, ~
'uld have taken possession of the ~
orks almost any time before 10 AZ
clock, but they would have had to W
III men, women, aud children, aud -
ould not, do ANYTHING of that kind. VI VI
he first firing they did was over ~
10 heads of the crowd. Pinkerton pa
Id he had never seen a strike when ie
bor organizations or their men had se
't abused non-union men. vi