Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-07-14
AFTER THE BATTLE.



Everything Quiet nt Homestead Tho De
structlon at the Carnegie Works no
paired Frick's Views of the case.
HOMESTEAD, Pm, July 8--Aftcr the
carnage OF Wednesday the town Of
Homestead yesterday was almost as
quiet as sleepy country village and
the sad duty Of decent intcrmcnt TO
three OF the striking worltmcn who
were instantly killed in the battle that
ragged iierccly along the beautiful banks
OF the Monongaheia was the chief re-
mindcr Of tho bloody combat
The strikers are masters Of the situa-
tion and the best evidence that they
could produce Of their intention 10 pro
tect property and not turn the town
into a hell where aisivchv and destruc-
tion rule lies at the scene Of Wcdnes-
day nights battle, whore the immense
plant OF the firm Of Carnegie, Phipps &
Co. stands practically uninjured.
Tho ruin that was incident 10 prcpar-
alton for warfare has been repaired,
the dismantled fence around the works
has been rebuilt, the yard has been
cleared of all debris, and inside the
works the old watchmen of the firm
peacefully perform their customary pa-
troll.
FmCK's VIEWS or THE CASE
PITTsBuRan, Pa, July s IL. C. FriclS,
chairman Of the Carnegie Steel Co. was
interviewed as follows by George n.
Mccain, the correspondent of the Phila-
dclphia Press:
"What was the basis Of the differ
enccs existing between the Carnegie
company and their men. MIR. FricltP'
"Thcrc were three points upon hich
we differed. The skilled worlSrnen in
the Amalgamated association work
under what is known rs n sliding
scale. As hne price of steel advances the
earnings of the men advance; as the
prices fall their earnings decrease in
proportion. While there is no limit to
an advance Of earning on the scale,
there is a point at which the decline
stops. II Is known as the minimum and
the figure heretofore has been SIS per
ton for AKA Bessemer billets We be-
lieve that II earning based on the sell
ing price of steel can advance without
limit the workmen should be willing to
follow the selling price down TO a rcas-
enable minimum and so this figure was
finally fixed by The Carnegie company at
the rate of S23 instead of S25. The reason
for asking this upon our part was that
the Carnegie company has spent large
sums In the introduction Of new ma
chinery In its Homestead plant by
means Of which the worlSmen were en-
abled 20 increase the daily output,
thereby increasiLc the amount of their
own earnings. We had originally
asked reduction 10 S22, but
subsequently agreed TO compromise
the rate at S23. The Amalgnmated
association was unwilling TO consider
reduction below SIS on steel billets,
Notwithstanding the fact that the i'm
proved machinery would enable their
members even at s23 10 earn more than
is paid in other Amalgamatcd mills
This was the first point at issue.
"Undcr the present Amalgamated
system the date of expiration of the
sliding scale is June 30, annually. We
ask that this date be changed TO De-
cember 81 (same as at Edgar Thomp-
son) for the reason that the change
would permit MS to take our estimate
upon the wages that we must pay dur
ing the year beginning on January /, so
that we would be enabled 10 make con-
tracts for the year accordingly. This
point the Amalgamated association re-
fused TO accede and demanded the old
date"
"Why did the Carnegie company call
upon the Pinkertons for watchmen 10
protect their propcrty?'
''We did not see how else we would
have protection. We only wanted them
for watchmen to protect our property
and zee that worlSmen we would take
TO Homestead-and we have had appli-
cations from many men to go to work
were not interfered with"
"Did you doubt the ability of the
sheriff TO enforce order at Homestead
and protect your property"
"Ies, sir, with local deputies"
"Why?"
For the reason that three years ago
our concern had an experience similar
TO this. We felt the necessity of
change at the works; that scale should
be adopted based on the sliding price Of
billets and we asked the county author
tiles for protection. The worlxmen be-
gan tactics similar TO those employed in
the present troubles The sheriff
assured the member Of the firm
that there would be no difficulty,
that he would give them ample
protection and see that men who
were willing 10 work were not inter.
fered with. What was the result? The
posse taken up by the sheriff-sOme-
thing over iOclnen-were not permit
ted TO land on OUT property; were driven
off with threats of bodily harm and IL
looked as II there was going 10 be great
destruction Of life and property. That
frightened our people and an agree
ment was made and work resumed
We did not propose this time 10 be
placed in that position"
THE Pinkerton men, as generally
had been summoned after
all arrangements made with them 10 be
ON hand in case Of failure by the sheriff
TO afford protection. Is that a fact or
not?"
The facts concerning the engage
mcnt of the Fullerton men are these:
From past experience, not only with
the present sheriff, but with all others,
we have found that he has been unable |
10 furnish us with a sufficient num- |
ber Of deputies 10 guard our property |
and protect the men who were anxious /
10 work on our terms"
Carnegie Refuses to Talk.