The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-11
THE DAY AT HOMESTEAD.
Strikers Prepared for Another Pinker.
ton Observation-Disclosures q Hospital.

strikers Prepared for Another Pinker-
ton Misunderstanding Hospital.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 10.-The intense
strain OF excitement to which the strikers
have been subjected during the past week
IS beginning to tell on the men. The anx-
iety has reached such tension that hos
tlhties will be positive relief. Alarm
after alarm has swept over the town and the
men have so often responded that there is
danger that when n true alarm does come
it may fall on unheeded ears and that the
enemy will be within the city limits before
the call to the battle is sounded There is
no doubt of settled conviction among
the strikers that another battle is
inevitable. At least a dozen tele-
grams have been received stating that
the Pinkertons are mobilizing detach-
ments preparatory 70 moving on the city,
and the leaders have concluded that the
decisive struggle is not far distant. The
strength of the Pinkerton army, by a
mysterious unanimity,is is fixed at 800, and
the strikers feel confident that they can
easily repulse such force.
One thing is certain, that another inva-
sion of Pinkertons will be followed by q
battle more sanguniary, more terrible and
more decisive than the first. The strikers
are perfecting organization today and ap-
pear to be gaining strength in
every way except with the press,
which is resentful of the espionage and re-
strictions imposed upon the represen-
tatives. But Hugh O'Donnell is protect
ing the newspaper men in every way from
harrasslng interference, and it is safe to
say that as long as he is the dominent
spirit, 10 more reporters will be ordered
out of town. The spirit of liberation
evinced by O'Donnell is not shared
by many of the rank and file. Half a
dozen arrivals of newspaper men today
were promptly approached by self-con
stituted committee and marched off to
headquarters, where they were forced to
remain an hour or two until they were
satisfied as to the identity Of the
men. Indeed, three representatives of
the press are in the city who main-
tain that fear of subsequent visitations
impels them to an excess of caution, and
their dispatches suffer from the conscious
ness that the morrow may bring reckon
ing fromsthe irate committee, who know
no code of ethics.
This is the situation candidly expressed,
and the Associated Press but fulfills its
functions when it says it is only when
temerity outweighs discretion that cores
pondents in the city exercise the perfect
freedom of news expression which
would characterize their dispatches from
any other point, and which even the grav-
ity of the situation at Homestead should
not obscure.
The advisory committee is no longer in
official existence, according to the state
ment of the strikers, but they are
subject to any obscure directions
given by certain men. The reason for
the failure to have official organization
seems likely to be found in caution
and desire not to get involved in court
proceedings. 0'Donnell this evening re-
fused to admit that the advisory
committee was still in force, and
said they had not yet considered
the advisability of it's re-organiza-
ton. He said if the congressional investi-
CATION committee called upon them he
supposed they would respond and give
the committee all information necessary.
Arrangements have been begun, it is
said, for the erection of temporary hos
pital for the care of the wounded near the
probable scene of battle in case another
fight occurs. O'Donnell himself was very
non-committal when interrogated upon
this subject this evening, and merely
Slultd tH-b III bhIiAhCi, VI tlac lthS-
burg Mercy hospital, called and proffered
his assistance and had also offered to re-
ceive any wounded who might be in the
city.
All the churches were largely attended
this morning in anticipation of some radi-
cal expression from the pulpit
and the visitors were not dis
appointed at the Methodist church.
Rev. Thompson made some forcibie
illusions to the existing strike.
The manifestations of approval which
followed his expressions amounted almost
to applause, and the sentiments of the
prayer ty Rev. DIR. McIllar also received
cordial approval. In speaking about the
matter Father Bullion said:
This is a peaceable community, but a fearless
Que. They viii submit to law, but they will
not submit 20 what they deem Illegal force. II
another attempt is made TO force the Pinkertons
iuto Homestead l fear tho very worst The
question cannot he settled in that way Tn,
lrIn aud men must arbitrate. but ii the firm re-
fuses TO arDitTate then should doubt its hon
esty; but the opinion OF the country can coeree
them. Both sides must come together or va
will have the most shocking and demoralizlng
sequel 10 the wild work Of last week
That there are at least dozen Pinker-
tons in town is conceded by the commit
tee, who thus strangely explain their press
regulations and the stories told of the ex-
treme vigilance with which everybody is
watched. One suspect last night was
stripped to underclothing and his papers
closely examined, and nothing being
found his money and other things were
returned to him but he was taken to the
track and pointed out the way
To Pittsburg. The fact is that
Homestead is much in state
as though public enemy was massed
upon the heights around town and gum
boats were lying in the river. There is no
promising indication that arbitration will
be invoked to settle the existing difficult
ties.
1t is stated that the Carnegie company
has received the suggestion with de-
pressing chilliness and the leaders Of tho
strikers intimate that they consider the
Amaeamated Association more competent
than any outsider to preserve the in