Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-07-15
THE HOMESTEAD AFFAIE,

OrQaQlZeu lHBOI huu thO
of the Carnegie Company.
The facts which led to this conflict seem
to be as follows:
The wage agreement between the hrm
and the Amalgamated Association expired
ON July LIST. BY it the wages PAID were
fixed on a sliding scale, based on tne
market price of iron and steel. Recent
impreyements in the machinery have been
introduced at Homestead which, accord
ing to Mr.. Frick, Carnegie's Manager
would increase the output so much that a
lower scale Of wages in the case OF some
3os men was necessary. Under this pro-
posed reduction, he stated, the men wouid
really make at least as much as nereto
fore. This applied to men who were max
ing from 50 to $12 per day. This was the
first point. 1t is said that the Amalga-
mated Association are now willingto agree
to this and to the following point;
Under the old scale s25 was fixed as the
minimum price for steel; that's, while the
price could 20 as high as it pleased anu
the workers wages along with it, when IL
went below sos per ton the scale was not
affected but remained as if steel were
worth sos. Frick asked to have 1t chang
ed to $23.
The third point of difference was tne
date OF expiration of the sliding scale. IL
has heretofore expired on June 3O frick
wished to have it expire on Dec. IL. rms
ia the main point of difference II really
means whether in case of trouble at the
expiration of scale, the workmen will have
warm weather to fight in or will be antag-
onized by winters cold as well as frick'
On this point both sides are firm. on
July LIST, no agreement having been reacn
ed, Frick declared the works closed Ine
woykmen at once assumed control OF the
town of Homestead and everyone entering
was closely examined as to his business anu
vas ordered to leave if he could not give
good reason for his presence.
Mr.. Frick appealed to the Sherih Oh
Tuesday and Deputy Sheriff Cluiey at
tempted to take possession of the works on
that day, and took the afternoon tram ioi
l the seat of trouble.
As soon as the train was brought TO
standstill the deputies stepped down, anu
forming compact body, headed by oiuie!
started toward the gate, against whicl
stood several hundred brawney mill men
Not a sound was heard save the heaV,
breathing of the strikers and the grating
the pebbles beneath the heels OF the al
yancing deputies. They came within
few feet of the determined strikers, wh'
looked them square in the eyes withon
Hinching or moving an inch from their po
sition before the gate.
| Ex-Sheriff Cluley advanced and in
Iclear voice said: Men, we command
you to fall back, and give us entrance U
| the property of the Carnegie Steel Compa
Inv, which we have been detailed t.
guard"
There was silence for q moment, wnel
| one of the workers stepped from the crow
and said:
1--WE cannot permit you to enter IN
| mill. Tho property isn't in danger, no
does it require your guardianship, and W
think that should we admit You to thi
mill, it would be against our interests, S
we will not allow you to enter Shoui
you wish to return to Pittsburg we VII
see that you get safely out of town."
Il messenger was Immediately dispatch
ed to the captain of the little steamer Edn
to raise steam and hold himself in read
nass to narrr tina IDENTITIES to Glenwooe
while large guard of brawny workme
gathered around the deputies and starte
towards Amalgamated headquarters, whsI
the men were to be kept till the boat Wa
ready.
The guard was hardly needed, as thel
was but little demonstration, and the del
uties were taken through the 5000 worl
men so quietly that many didn't kno
, what was going on. Thirty minutes lat'
word came from the Edna that all WI
ready, and the march to the boat, abo'
!, one quarter mile distant, was begnn. Fac
deputy was escorted by workman, and
Ilarge force of men took their position
across the street, not permitting the lare
crowd to pass and follow the deputies
Not a loud word was spoken during I'll
, trip, and the uninitiated had occasion
think it was funeral procession. ActinI
Sheriff Cluley brought up the rear OF tt
procession, with Burgess McLuckie,
Homestead, and when the river bank wi
! reached each deputy shook hands in tm
, with his escort, thanked him and steppe
, on board. Mr.. Cluley was the last
leave the shore, and as he stepped on II
plank waved his hand to the boys, sayin
ri am much obliged boys for your kim
ness, and now will walk the plank" I" III
! Enda pushed off amid dead silence, an
, the little crowd dispersed as quietly as
tcame.
But the tragedy was to follow. Frit
. engaged 800 Pinkerton detectives and sci
them by boats from Pittsburg, on Tuesds
J night, to land at the works and guard then
The workmen were informed of this al
L
t were gathered en- maSse to prevent Il
: landing of tie Pinkertons. The detectiy'
iwere in two barges, iron plated, and towt
) tby the Little Bill' steamer.
Q Before the barges were within 100 fe
: of the landing, that portion of the riv
bank was literally covered with millmel
brandishing their clubs, while some on Il
bank above were firing their revolvers
the occupants of the boats.
Up to this time there had not been
t sign of life on the barges, but when with
so feet of the shore the large doors at Il
3 end of the boats were thrown open and
r many men as could conveniently stand O
: the little forward decks crowded quick
D out.
Q Through the rapidly coming daylight tt
4 men on the bank recognized the sloucl
8 hated, blue-coated, heavily armed Pinke
t ton men. Every one of the Pinkertol
a held in his hands one of the deadly VII
t chester rifles, and though three score
the glittering barrels were leveled direct
j, | at the mill men as the boat neared Il
f land, not man retrested, but rather pres
: ed closer to the shore in order to be Il
first to fall if necessary. The din W,
! terrific as the lusty. lunged mill men ven
Q ed their rage upon the intruders. "Don
come en- land or we'll brain you, you dirt
black guards~ they yelled. "Why don
2. u.u uork for yonr living like decent mem