Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-27
A FUTILE ATTEMPT
On the Part of Outsiders to
Arrange a Settlement
at Homestead.
THE MEN CONTINUE FIRM.
Refusal to Accept Proposition to
Return as Individuals.
TERMS OFFERED BY THE COMPANY.
A Portion of the Old Employees Not to Be
Allowed to Return.
TERMS OFFERED BY THE COMPANY.
MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

4
"Several men have deserted the mill to-
day, and report sad state of affairs exist
ing on the inside. So far the firm has beer
unable to turn out marketable product
Their attempt to start the plant has been {
dismal failure, attended with loss of life and
serious accident and incalculable ex.
| ense"
This statement does not indicate that the
men are in the least discouraged as to the
ultimate outcome of tine lockout. They
claim that the works cannot be operated
without them, and that they must eventual.
| ly win.
Futile Effort at Settlement
On Monday afternoon at Homestead 9
| combination of newspaper men got together
| and decided to make quiet effort to induce
the leaders of both sides to meet in
joint conference, and if possible adjust the
existing differences After talking the mat.
ter over it was decid I'd to appoint commit
tee of two to wait on O'Donnen and gain
his consent to conference. The gentlemen
for this duty were Mr.. T. d. Madeira, OF
! New York, and Mr.. j. Hampton Moore, OF
Philadelphia.
The committee called on MI. O'Donnell
and found him in complaisant mood. He
frankly admitted that it would be best for
once. He said furthermore that he would
cheerfully sacrifice himself in the interest
of the great number of idle men at Home
stead.
Messrs. Madeira and Moore hastened to
the mills In the Office they found Treas
urer Curry, Mr. Childs, assistant to the
Chairman, and Assistant Superintendent
Wood. They were politely received.
When they had explained their mission the
representatives of the company outlined
their condition for settlement The COM
mittemen then returned to labor headquar-
ters and notified O'Donnell that they were
ready to make their report to the Advisory
Board. O'Donnell, according to the story,
went upstairs and held conference with
the Advisory Board.
Wanted No Outside Interference.
In 20 minutes he returned and said the
board positively refused to allow any out
siders to enter the meeting, but they would
like to have O'Donnel report what had
been done. Messrs. MADEIRA and Moore re-
fused this proposition. Yesterday morning
Messrs. Madeira and Moore again visited
the Offices of the company and notified Mr..
Childs and Mr.. Curry that as far as they
were concerned the matter was off, Later
on they decided to make an official report
to their associates Appended is copy of
this report:
After his return from Pittsburg yesterday
Mr.. O'Donnell, in an interview with us, said
he was anxious to see the Homestead trouble
settled, and would cheerfully sacrifice him
self in the interest of the great number OF
idle men then walking the streets. He then
left in company with Acting Chairman
Crawford for the Advisory Committee head
quarters. where we saw him a few minutes
later, and suggested to him that we were
willing to see Superintendent Potter. of the
Carnegie Company, and ascertain from him
upon what terms the men might return to
work. He Immediately assented, saying
it was good idea and he would like to hear
from us as soon as possible. ThereuDon we
visited Sheriff McCleary and Colonel Gray,
the Sheriff's special deputy, and, without ex-
planning our mission. requested the latter to
go with US to Superintendent Potter.
Colonel Gray consented, and, after a consul
tation with Superintendent Potter, con-
Quoted us to that 2entleman's office. There
we were introduced to Treasurer Curry, Mr..
Childs. assistant to the Chairman, and AS
sistant Superintendent Woods.
An Inquiry as to Terms.
We explained to these gentlemen that we
had reason to believe that we might be able
to open the way for a return to work, and
we wanted to know upon what terms they
would accept their old employees. The
Treasurer, Curry. and Superintendent Pot
ter were the chief spokesmen. They said
they would not take back certain objection
able men under any circumstances. They
did not name any of these men, but said
those against whom criminal charges had
been preferred were among them. Even
these, they said, might not be rejected if the
information lodged against them proved to
be incorrect. They said they would not ask
the men who applied for work ANYTHING
about their membership in organizations,
sectarian or otherwise; but would require
them to sign an agreement, as individuals,
fixing the scale OF wages, which scale is
based upon a S23 billet rate.
The officials assured us that under no
would they agree to confer
ences, or have dealings with associations or
cQmmittees except as provided in the agree
ment and they pointed out that the agree
quarter, between six emnloyes chosen by
the workmen and three officers OF the steel
company whose duty it would be to fix the
price OF biilets. The only other special
~
should abide by the rules and regulations of
the company. The officials further said that
If there was any delicacy on the part of the
men about applying singly they could come
in groups and be accepted, stood aside until
places were found for them, or be rejected
as the case might be- On no condition how.
ever they said would men who had already
been employed be discharged If their work
was satisfactory.
Where the Hitch Occurred
After the meeting with the company's Of
ficials we were invited by Chairman O'Don.
nell to go before the Advisory Committee.
and duly presented ourselves ut the evening
meeting at headquarters. AS soon as our |
presence WAS known, We were requested to |
wait outside until the committee had a |
chance to talk over the advisabiIity of hear. |
ing us. After waiting half an hour. Mr..
O'Donnell came out and told us that he had |
laid the whole matter of our visit to Super. |
intendent Potter by his authority before the |
committee. After some discussion, however. |
he said the committee had agreed not to
admit any strangers to its meetings, but |
wonld be pleased to hear what we had to re- |
port through him. This we declined to do,
saying we had no interest in the matter ex-
cept as mediators, desiring to bring the two
parties together. Mr.. O'Donnell then
thanked us for our efforts and we retired,
This (Tuesday) morning we called upon
Messrs. Curry, Childs and Porter, ana ad.
Ttsed them of the result Of our voluntary
'norts. All OF these gentlemen express sin.
,ere regret at the outcome OF the affair, be-
,ause they said the effect Of IL ould be to
'ause q large number OF mon whose services |