The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-25
WORKMEN AND PINKERTONS
Facts Cleaned by Senators Engaged in
Investigating the Homestead Trouble.
Weihe. Roberts and Robertson Speak from the
Strikers Stand Point. and Banker Mellon
and Mr. Potter from the Carnegie.


fore the senate investigating Committee
PITTsBURG, Nov. 2i.-The senatorial COM
mlttee investigating the Pinkerton detec-
tive system continued it's investigation to-
day. The committee is taking evidence on
all the phases of tho Homestead and other
troubles with reference TO the employment
of armed detectives by property-owners.
and Is directing tho inquiry SO as to form
an opinion as to the best course to be pur-
sued TO prevent riot and bIoodshed.
The first witness examined was Capt. w.
b. Rodgers. of the steamer Little Bill. who
described the fight at Homestead on July G.
William Weihe. until a few weeks ago
president of the Amalgama ted Association,
was then called. He was requested to give
IN account of his life, which he did, after
which he explained the technicalities in
the sliding scale. He believed that the
state of the steel market would have war
ranted the Carnegie company to pay the
rate of wages demanded by the workmen
st Homestead. The Amalgamsted Asso:is
ton. he declared. was always in favor of
arbitration, and its policy always one of
Cancellation. The strikers would not have
fired on United States troops or militia,
as they did upon the Pinkerton barges.
Continuing. Mr. Weihe said IF the
Carnegie company had kept ND the confer
ences with the Amalgamated committee,
instead of issuing an ultimatnm. settle.
ment could have been effected by July J."
Witness did not think the company's prop
erty was ever in danger. The practice of
employing armed detectives during q
strike, said he is very bad, as the working
men regard lG rs an interference with their
rights
William G. Roberts, of Homestead. ex-
vice-president of the sAmalgamated Assoc
station, told of the reduction in wages and
Of the number of ment Affected.
Senator Gallinger asked: Did yOu be-
lieve In the cessation of work by the men,"
81 did,
How did the conference of June % first
cit was at the time of our convention,
and we wished 10 make one more request
for a conference: it did not last very long,"
wages paid by the Carnegie Steel Company
is lover than that paid by other steel
mlllsp
"Yes. sir.n
did you, as q workman. approve of the
various steps taken by the workmen In this
striker
.'If you mean the action on July G, GER
tainly did not"
what did your people think of the en-
ployment of Pipkertonsp
I'VE look upon it as an unfair means of
forcing US into submission. The workmen
look on all extra watchmen with suspicion,
as they usually try TO get our places"
what do you, as q workingman. think
of the employ ment of such detectives to
masquerade as workmen IN order TO spy
upon you. as they are charged with doin2f"
IL would not work for a firm that would
do IT," Witness said that the Carnegie
company has blacklist and every appli-
cants record 10 examined before he is en-
ployed.
Senator Galiinger asked: ITO what cause
do you attribute that river. bank troublep
'The hatred of the workinRmen oil over
the country for the Pinkertons caused It,"
What do you think 10 tho solution OF
these labor problemsp
Arbitration, If compulsory"
"You don't think the United States can
come into . State and take away the States
powersp
II think they can"
81 wish they could. What will be the re-
suit to the Amslgamated and other unions
by the settlement of this striker
IL do not think it will have bad result.
It will bind the men closer together, as it
shows what they must expect In the fut-
ure:"
the property of the Carnegie company
from the meni"
tNo, SIT"
do you think the offer on the part of
the men to care for the property was made
Il certainly know 1t was.D
How 90 you think an arbitration board
should be appointedf"
by the government and 1t should be
made compulsory"
Mr.. Weihe was recalled and said that he
was IN favor Of restricted immigration as q
partial relief for labor troubles. he also
favored more strict enforcement of the
anti-contract labor law. which. he said.
was being eyaded, If not openly violated.
Foreign laboreTs will accept lower
wages than Americana" he was asked.
.les. SIR" was the reply.
NJ
testified that an Injunction would not have
answered in the Homestead case. as delay
WINS too great Witness has had some ex-
perience IN handling strikes in the mining
detectives necessary from tho fact that the
laws OF pennsylvania arc defective and ex-
ecution inefficient.
Can you explain why, in this enlight-
ened State OF Pennsylvania. in this the
close of the nineteenth century, such laws
existf asked Senator Gallinger.
"In nv opinion the witness replied,
there is too much party politics for the
good of the people. Preferment for Office
depends on service rather than fitness for
the position. We seldom have sheriff W no
can and will do his duty. There is also too
much delay in calling ont the military,
one"
do you mean TO say the sheriff defers
doing his duty through fear of political
consequencesf'
and to the Legislature"
A. T.. Robertson. select councilman and
ex-member of the Legislature, said he had
been n glass-worker for many years and
had organized several strikes. He said
class legislation in this State had been in
favor of the corporate class. Witness
thought If an injunction proc eeding had
been sought By the Carnegie company and
Pipkertons not brought here. there would
have been no trouble.
William Weihe. recalled, said: The
effect of strikes has been beneficial to
labor and labor interests In some cases
and the reverse in others. 1t brings the
question of labor before great men and
great minds. and in time the working peo-
pie may get legislation in their favor"
John A. Potter. superintendent OF the
Homestead mills at the time the trouble
began apd now chief engineer of the
Carnegie company, was sworn. Heidenti-
he'd the testimony given by him before til Q
congressional committee.
Senator Gallinger asked: "Atwh point
did you meet the PinkertonsP
AT Ashtabula, o."
why did you meet them thereir
"Because l was authorized to do sou
did you take charge OF themP
mo sir. They were In charge of their
own people until we arrived at Davis
island dam. when Colonel Gray took
charge. He was . representative of the
sheriff"
WAS he n deputy sheriff.
Il think be was there q representative
- sho sh.rfnV