The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-08
THE CAUSE OF THE STRIKE
A Statement OF the Difficulties Betwsen the
Company and Its Men.

Company and Its Men.
PrrTsBURaH. July THE present strike IN
tho third great strike that has taken place At
Homestead since the Carnegie mills were 10.
Gated here. The first was In 1882. whom blood.
shed was narrowly averted. and the second
was three years ago No lives were sacrificed
then either. but many men were badly beaten.
some being crippled for life. When the COM
pany attempted to put 100 deputies In charge
OF the mill they were driven from Homestead
like sheep by the women OF the borough. who
used hot water and similar means Of attack.
Then II settlement was arrived at. A sliding
scale. to run three years. was arranged. This
scale expired on last Thursday. juno 80.
1t was the pet scheme OF Andrew Carnegie to
introduce a sliding scale. The scale agreed
upon was readjusted at the expiration OF every
three months. The scale was based on the
price OF steel billets. which were taken a.
fair indication Of the state Of the market.
When steel billets were selling at high price
tho company was to share its increased
profits with the workmen. When steel billets
were falling in price. the workmen were to
share in the decreased profits OF the company.
advance of wages. was concerned. a minimum
basis was agreed upon. The minimum basis
biliets foil in price belows25 per ton tho work:
men were still to be paid at the rate OF $50
This scale was advantageous to tho work
men. The past three years demonstrated this.
as during the latter part Of the three Years
ton, For the past fifteen months the price Of
stss 10 bIiets has beep 6stTeen
ers at the rate Of During the rss psrt Of
and
In the main the workers demanded that the
old scale be reafTrmed. They also asked for
IN 10 n nj ~ In NM NJ RIM ~ n n
workers. In this direction an an increase was
demanded. Some trouble ensucd over this In
ager OF sRe The vas
then. but not lost sight Of
Reduction OF tho minimum basis from s25 to
$23 was demanded. The Carnegie steel Com:
rany also announced hat they would hold
| date. Probably dozen conferences were held
with the, homestead men. who are organized
ton e Of Iron and Steel Workers Both sides
| maintained their respective positions without
deviation. II was question Of 81 a ton: and
bettcrmcnt in the steel market for the next
SIX months. 1t was very practical question
The final rupture came and the Carnegie
Steel Company refused to confer any moro:
in the same way the. company on last satur-
day declared that the Analgamated Associa;
Homestead BY the company, 1t was further
declared that the mill would be On open mill.
| where all men could work regardless OF their
aniliation with any labor organization. Each
man who works in the mill hereafter. the com
pnny say must sign an Individual contract.
Tho company will denl with its employees as
individuals only. they say.
While only some hundreds OF skilled work.
men would be directly affected by the cut DC.
mandcd 10y the compunys scale through fore
Amalgamatud leaders ut Homestead said the
signin;: was farce. The company still assert
that these 700 men AFRO under contract to II,
but hive been forced to break their contract.
having boon intimidated 10y threats Of yio-
lcnce.