The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-11-25
SENATE INVESTIGATION.
Amalgamated Association Leaders
Before the Coramittee.
TIE CAUSE OF LAwLEss ACTS
According to ex-President Weihe
and Vice President Roberts Most
Riots are Caused by Ignorant
Foreigners.

According to ex-President Weihe
and Vice President Roberts Most
Riots are Caused by Ignorant
Foreigners.
PITTsBURa, Nov. 25.-The senate sub
committee investigating PinkeYtonism
and the Homestead strike resumed its
hearing at the Hotel Duquesne at II
o'clock yesterday.
Captain w. B. Rodgers told the
familiar story of the voyage of the
steamer Little Bill on the morning of
July o, when the Pinkerton guards were
transported on the barges to Homestead.
His testimony developed nothing new,
as was the case with all the other wit
nesses who had previously testified be-
fore the house committee in July.
Ex-President Weihe, of the Anal
gaIpated Association, described the
range of wages of the Homestead mill
men, placing the average at SO per day.
He explained the Associations methods
of holding conferences, and said con-
ciliation was always practiced when pos
sible.
II think" said Mr.. Weihe, that the
Carnegie company could easily have
paid the old wages to the men affected
by the reduction, and be largely ahead
today, The reduction affected four de-
partments and about 300 men, or less
than one-tenth of the whole number.
The men would not have fired upon reg
ular troops or militia, or any other reg
ularly constituted authority, as they did
upon the Pinkertons. Had the company
been willing to keep up friendly confer
ences after June "A the trouble would
probably have been settled amicably. L
heard no threats of destroying the mill
property, and when asked to go with
the sheriff to aid in restraining the men
on July l thought best to seek an in
terview with Mr.. Frick and ask him to
withdraw the barges. was refused an
interview by Mr. Frick, and soon after
heard of the burning of the barges.
Most of our labor troubles are caused by
foreigners who cannot speak tho English
language and are unacquainted with
American ideas, and who cannot be
taught the highest duties of American
citizenship. l think the general govern
ment should take prompt measures to
stop unrestricted emigration. The labor
organizations would sustain any party
in enacting a law to remedy this evil.
There was no necessity for the employ
ment Of armed guards at Homestead"
Mr.. Roberts Testimony.
William NJ Roberts, vice president Of
the Amalgamated Association, and a
prominent member of the famous ad-
visory committee of Homestead, did not
approve of the action of July g. The
men thought the reduction was intended
to force strike, and looked upon the
employment of Pinkerton men as an un-
| fair way of enforcing submission. The
Carnegie company has ''black list"
and does refuse to employ men who took
part in the strike. Hatred for the Pinker-
tons caused the trouble on July o, but
| the fact that the worknen do not share
| adequately in the profits of big concerns
| is what causes the reckless spirit. Mr..
| Roberts continued:
Compulsory arbitration established
| by the government, the board having
J full power to enforce its decisions, is the
best method Of adjusting wage dis
putes. know that the offer of the
| Homestead men to protect the company's 5
| property was made in good faith"
| Judge Mcmillan stated that the lack OF
| prompt enforcement Of the law by coun-
ty sheriffs necessitates the employment
| of armed guards by large companies.
| Sheriifs are slow in performing this kind
| of duty on account Of its political effect,
The committee then adjourned TO meet
in New York tomorrow, at which time
Robert A. Pinkerton will testify.