Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-08
MORE TROUBLE EXPECTED.
A General Apprehension of More Des-
perate Scenes to Come.
THE sHERIFPS POSSE MUST GO.
A Dissemination to Say Anything About
the Situation.
HOW MILL STRIKES MIGHT BE AVOIDED

An attempt was maze yesterday TO get
the opinions of leading citizens on the labor
situation and the probable result or out
come of the trouble at Homestead. A great
majority of those interrogated pleaded
ignorance of the situation, notwithstanding
the full exposition of it furnished by THE
DISPATCH for the past two weeks, and de-
clared they could not give an intelligent
opinion. Many, when asked, begged to be
excused, saying they did not wish to take a
position on either side, even to expressing
their honest opinions. The trend OF opin-
ion seems to be that there will be more and
serious trouble at Homestead before either
side wins permanent victory.
C. L. Magee, however, thinks there will
be no more serious outbreaks. "The only
thing to be done, said he, ''to maintain the
Government at Homestead is for the Sheriff
to 60 up there tomorrow and take posses
sion of the works That is his duty. If he
fails from any cause, the Governor will be
compelled to order out the National Guard
to protect the company's property. No one
questions the right of the company to take
care of its property, but as to the policy
pursued by the company during the past few
days that is quite another matter. The out
come of this dispute, owing to the infuriated
state of the men at Homestead, is beyond
there will be no more bloodshed."
Advocating . division of Profits
Colonel E. J. Allen-It is unfortunate
that the workingmen have placed them
selves in a position where they must defend
their actions in court That is where this
matter is bound TO 60. but before it reaches
that point L am apprehensive of further
trouble at Homestead. if it does not extend
to other places. 1t is pity that our big
manufacturing concerns do not all adopt
system of pro rata division of profits with
their employees. Wherever adopted it has
proven successful. II. X. Porter, in this city,
has had such system in operation at his
locomotive works for several years, and it
has been beneficial to him and to his men.
He has not had strike since its adoption,
his men take an interest in their work and
endeavor to swell the profits in every possi-
BILE way, knowing that they will get their
share according to the size of their salary.
The labor situation is grave one. If the
unions are defeated and driven out of ex-
istence, as the Carnegie firm evidently de-
sires, the men will have no protection what
ever. Manufacturers will get to cutting
prices awav down, and in order to maintain
their profits will slash the wages of the
workers. The ultimate effect will be bust
ness depression of a general nature. No
one will make money but the big corpora
tions.
Has Faith in the Workmen.
William r Ford thinks the workmen are
prepared to respect the law. Said he: "If
Sheriff McCleary goes up to Homestead to-
morrow with dozen deputies they will
not meet with opposition. 1 believe the
leaders are too sensible to DEFY the Govern
ment, knowing that action would at once
place them in antagonism with many
who are now friendly to them and
would lend them reasonable assistance.
hope something will BE done tc arrange
ihe difficulty without breaking up the
Amalgamated Association. The State and
National Governments have for several
years been protecting corporations in every
way, and it has come to such pass that
without man has considerable wealth he
cannot engage in any business. In the
iron and steel business, for instance, SO
great are the advantages given to
the big corporations that unless
man has a couple of millions TO
The same conditions apply to other branches
of business. Even grocery business these
days requires capital for success If the
unions are forced out of tine iron and steel
manufactures the corporations in that bust
ness in this country will hold sway un-
equaled in any class of trade in the world.
Comp'imentins the Brooks Law.
Captain JIG. Stewart, of Common Council,
foreman OF the Pennsylvania Railroad yards,
is apprehensive that Wednesdays battle at
Homestead is only circumstance compared
with what is to come
Those men are in desperate state" he
said, "and would not be surprised if mob
law seized the town and the works besides
1t is to be hoped no conflict with the mill
tary will occur. The people of Homestead
should be thankful that under fear of the
Brooks law the saloonkeepers at Home
stead have obeved the Sherif's command to
close. If liquor were procurable in that
town yesterday there would have been a
terrible slaughter. 1t was bad enough as it
was, but liquor would have made 1t much
worse. 1 remember that liquor caused the
trouble in 1877 in this city. There would
not have been half the damage had there
been no liquor. and yet, strangely enough,
liquor prevented the damage from going
further. The leaders of the riot opened a
carload of whisky, and breaking open the
barrels drank it from pint tincups They
drank too much. In few hours Liberty
street was literally covered with stupeied
men and the work Of destruction had ended" 4"
Might Always Successful Against Right.
Controller Morrow has not read the news
papers; it is his boast that he seldom does,
but from what he has heard he thinks the
backbone of unionism is broken in this
city. II am afraid to express nv opinion"
he said when asked what he thought would
be the outcome of the Homestead trouble,
''but believe this fight is death blow to
the Amalgamated Association and all other
labor associations in our manufactures.
The great corporations are bound to win if
they are determined to do so, and if they
are successful in this struggle my prediction
will be realized. No matter how just the
claims of the workmen may be in this dis
pute, might wins against right all the
time"