Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-23
STORY OF THE RIOT
The Pinkertons Say the First
Shot
WAS FIRED FROM THE SHORE
And That Their Watchman Responded
In Self -Defencs-The congses-
sionlal Inquiry.

WAsHIssroN. July 22.-The Pinker
ton side Of the Homestead battle Was
presented TO the subcommittee OF the
house Judiciary committee today. The
committees investigation. it will be re-
called, WAS begun in Pittsburg, the IN
jury there being devoted to the out
break At Homestead and the difficulties
OF the Amaigsmated association with
the Carnegie company. The hearing
here Is to Dc devoted to the orgsniza-
ton and management Of the Pinkerton
det ectiveagenc. y Robert A. Pnkerton
of the Pinkerton agency was the first
witness called. His brother William,
Mr.. Guthrie of New York, his attorney;
and Messrs. Hayes, Wright and Dew
I'm OF the knights OF Labor, were also
IN attendance. Before the examina-
ton OF witnesses was proceeded with
Mr.. Delvln submitted q number OF
questions which he wished the COM
mittee to ask the witness. Chairman
Oates received the questions and
said they would be considered
by the committee and if found
proper would be asked. The
committee then went into secret
session TO consider the questions sub
mitted by Mr.. Devlin; also q state
ment submitted by the Pinkerton
brothers, and ut the conclusion OF the
secret session the committee took q
recess until o'clock.
PInkerton Testimony.
Robert A. Pinkertou was called and
gave details of the way of conducting
business by the agency. He said the
captain of his men that went to Home
stead was instructed to use force only
IN opposing force. The men were
fired upon first and when they
e.urned the fire were ordered TO shoot
above the heads of the strikers which
lie believed they did so few persons
were comparatively hurt. His men
could have taken pOssessi on of
the works later but did not do so be-
cause it could have been done only at
the expense of great many lives
William A. PinkertOn was called and
sworn. He verified the statements by
his brother as to the manner of
conducting the business. Rep lying
10 question by Representative Brod-
erlck, he said that the men they
employed were never drilled with
arms. The patrol force OF Chicago, he
stated, were drilled by marching. His
instructions to men In MS employ was
to use force only TO resist force. The
agency did not look for work to sup
press strikes. 1T is forced upon u.s."
Chairman Oates showed witness q
book and asked him if he recognized
it. He replied IN the Affirmative and
stated that it was time book belong
ing to the agency.
Representative Oates asked him if
he recognized any of the names in it.
He replied that he did and
stated that . number of them were
those of men sent 10 Homestead.
Representative Oates explained that
the book had been captured at Home-
stead and turned over to the commit
tee. Robert Pinkerton, being recalled,
stated that his agency had occasionally
bought information from Grim inals,
this heing the only way In which they
had evory employed them and that the
statements to the contrary were un.
true. The Pinkerton agency he said
IN concluson had no quarrel with the
labor organizations aud had nothing
them. The committee held q briei
executive session and adjourned the
subject to the call of the chair.