Rock Island daily Argus., 1892-07-08

advance, uuJ wnen unv, Ia,l uuciv 10 a
limit to the reduction in wages This the
company thought too one-sided. Besides,
the company since 1889 had introduced
machinery that enabled the men to turn
out much more of the product, thereby
increasing their own earnings. On this
account the company asked a reduction in
tonnage rates where the new machinery
was in operation.
Wages of the workmen.
Said Frick: ave are prepared to show
that in nearly every department, under our
proposed reduction in the tonnage rates,
the skilled wOrkmen would make more
money than they did when the scale of
1889 went into effect" From another
official source the wages the men are said
to be from $50 to Sl4.66 per day, the
majority ranging from Sc to $40 per day,
Sl5O being paid to shovelers and other
entirely unkilled laborers. Said the
authority, referring to the strikers: "They
have wives and children dependent on
them, they say. There are lots of men
with wives and children who would be
glad to work at the wages these men re-
Ject, but they threaten to kill any such
men we bring in
Th e Contested Change of Date.
Another point, Frick said, of difference
Is the company's proposition to change the
date of expiration of the scale from June
80 to Dec. 81. Said he: "We asked this
change of date for the reason that the
change would permit us to make our esti-
mate upon the wages that we must pav
during the year, beginning on Jan. l, so
that we would be able to make our CON
tracts for the year accordingly. This point
the AmalSamated association refused to
concede, and demanded the old date"
he
frick continued: "Finding that it was
impossible to arrive at any agreement
With the Amalgamated officials, we de-
clded to close our works at Homestead
Immediately the town was taken posses
sion of by the workmen. An advisory
committee of fifty took upon itself the
direction of the affairs of the place the
streets were patrolled by men appointed
by the committee, and every stranger en-
tering the town became a subject of sur
Velllance; was closely questioned and if
there was the slightest reason to suspect
him, he was ordered to leave the place in
stanty under threat of bodily harm.
Rather Astonished Mr. Frick.
This condition of affairs lasted until
Tuesday, when / appealed to the sheriff
of Allegheny county, stating the facts as
/ have outlined them. The sheriff visited
Homestead and talked with the advisory
committee. Its members asked that they
be permitted to appoint men from their
own number to act as deputy sheriffs: in
other words, the men who were interfering
with the exercise of our corporate rights,
preventing us from conducting our bust
ness affairs, requested that they be clothed
with the authority of deputy sheriffs to
take charge of our plantl The sheriff de-
clned their proposition and the advisory
SOmmittee disbanded The rest of the
story is familiar one"
Why PinkertOns Were Called Upon,
10 the question as to why the company
called in Pinkertons Frick replied that
they were only wanted for watchmen on
the company's property; that the sheriff
had never been able to do his duty in cases
like this; that the company had acted
because it had previously had experiences
of the sheritfs inability to enforce the law;
that three years ago the sheriff had tried
with lOOdeputies, who We're driven off with
threats of violence; that the watChmen had
been taken to Homestead at night especially
to prevent trouble, thinking that the com
pany had the right to put watchmen on
its own property.
Declined Conference.
while the rioting was going on Wednes-
day representative of the AmaIgamated
had made overtures for a sett cement, of
ferlng to conCede everything except the
change of date, but the proposition was
rejected because at that time the work
men were rioting and destroying the COM
pany's property. The matter was now in
the hands of the Allegheny county au-
thorities; that the Pnkertons went to
Homestead with full knowledge of the
sheriff and in charge Of Deputy Gray who
had instructions to deputize the guards.
if necessary; that full investigation
showed that the Pinkertons were fired
upon for twenty-five minutes before they
replied, which was after three of them had
been wounded, one fatally.
As to Proposed Investigation.
He regretted the loss of life, but would
to the extent of his power protect the
company's property. As to a congress
sional investigation, he welcomed it and
was prepared with abundant facts to
emphasize the justice of the company's
position. The company had not consider
ed politics in the matter at all. 1t could
not afford to run its usiness and politics
at the same time. However, the question
of protective tariff was not involved in
the matter at all, and every intelligent
man knew it.
Denounced by Preacher.
The funeral services over the bodies of
John Morris, Silas Wanier and Peter
Forras were held in the Episcopal church
here yesterd ay, and were conducted by
Rev. j. McIlyar, ID. d. In his sermon
DIR. McIlyar made direct attack on H c.
Frick, chairman of the Carnegie Steel
company, and the company was scored
severely.
VIEWS FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
A Labor Leader Lays the Whole Blame
on Erick.
In labor circles generally the feeling
against H. c. Frick, upon whom is placed
all the responsibility of the trouble at
Homestead, is great. One prominent
labor leader said yesterday: There is not
doubt in my mind that Frick is directly
responsible for the riot and conseouent