The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-14
THE INVESTIGATION.
Testimony Produced Before the
Congressional Committee.
THE woRKINaMEN's TESTIMONY.

a Gigantic Conspiracy TO Reduce
the Wages of Steel Workers.
PrTTsBuRG, July 14.--Mr. Frick was
the first witness called by the congress-
ional investigating committee yester-
day, and he continued his testimony Of
henight before as to the employment
of Pinksrton detectives. Mr.. Fricl said
1t was not stipulated when the men
were employed that they should be
armed. Sheriff McCleary was next
sworn, and testified as to his efforts to
get men to serve as deputies. The sheriff
said the people would not serve on his
posse because they were afraid of being
killed. This statement caused Il general
laugh.
President weihe, of the Amalgamated
Association, was the first witness sworn
for the workers. he explained the
working Of the "sliding scale" Of 80
and then pointed out the Objectionable
features of the new scale as prepared
by the hrm. The men objected because
they could not stand the reduction in
wages (averaging about 16 per cent?,
and they did not want the year TO ex-
pire in January. Other objections were
that in some jobs the men were reduced
before they reached the scale. Men
were taten out by the new scale and
other mon were asked to do the extra
work without pay. Allowances are al
ways made for improvements, and
lection is made. Witness then told of
the conferences with Mr.. Frick, stating
that the firm had set date after which
NO conferences could be had. The
Amalgamated Association has $4,000
members, and the objects OF the asso-
citation are TO obtain fair remuneration
and see that no advantage is taken.
Mr.. Taylor-Wby do the workmen
think they are justified in taking pos.
session Of the mill2
'tI don't think there are any In the
association who do. think the mon
would have protected the mills"
Whns of Arbitration2
care you willing that. the state or
congress shall pass an arbitration bill to
settle all questions Of this character"
al cannot answer for the association.
The history of most arbitration has been
against the workmen."
Congressman Boatner--Organized cap
ital claims the right to operate the mills
under the law. Organized labor, as I
understand IL, claims the right to pre-
vent th9fn and exercise tyranny. Now,
could there be any valid objection To q
tribunal which shall arbitrate2
II believe it will come to that"
sis II advisable 10 establish oompul.
ny arbitration1"
do not know whether compulsory
:, Jitration would be successful. The
state trade unions have a voluntary tri.
bunal, but IL has not worked. The trou.
BILE In estimating wages Is that the firms
will not show UP what the exact cost oil
production is. II there were no mini.
mum when the market came to be slow
the big firms could go into the markets
and cut rates."
"The firm comedies the Justice Of o
mipimum," Interrupted p. q. Knox, Of
Knox & Reed, attorneys for Carnegie.
O'Donnoll's Testimony.
Hugh O'Dounell, leader of the Home.
stead workmen, was then sworn, and
said he was member of the Amalga,
mated Association and president of the
advisory board. He did not know even
the approximate cost of producing iron
He said no improvementsh had been made
In the 11e inch mills since theySwere
built.
"What moves were made by the uaer
whom they quit work?'
"a mass meeting was held, at which
most of the men not affected were pres.
ent and agreed to stay out with us. An
advisory committee was chosen. Com.
mittees were appointed who became
guards, aud We're placed around the
works outside the fence. The best, most
sober men we had were placed on the
committee. They were told not to use
force"
Were they ordered to use force tc
keep men outT
No, sir. Their purpose was to keeI
all men out by peaceable methods"
"Did you see the sheriff."
& 81 did. July 8, l think"
"Did he demand the possession of the
WORKER
~ do not think he did"
where did you see the Pinkertont
6rst?"
tAm compelled to answer"
mo, You are not"
Mr.. ODonnell finally said, after stat
ing he was not afraid of the seyerest ex
animation: al WAS awakened about a
m. and went to the river, accompanied
by Captain Coon. / heard shots and
saw men with pistols, and advised then
to put them away. Hundreds of voice:
called to the boats not to land. / go
within about forty feet Of the landing
and stood with my back 10 the river anl
addressed the crowd. There was on.
rifle shot, followed by volley. l an
sure the crowd near the water had "A,
guns,"
"Who fired the first shotp"
81 cannot say"
Declines TO Answer a Question.
DO you know anything of the at
tempt to fire the barges with oil2'
81 decline to answer"
'iAt the advice OF many addressed
tie crowd later in the day, in the in
terest of humanity, to cease firing, ant
told them that II. q white flag were ex
hibited they would surrender If protec
fion were pledged. Those presen
pledged themselves with cheers, and
waved white dag. A parley followed
and guard was placed at the landin.
70 prevent any interference. The term
were that the guns be packed and thi
detectives furnished protection through
towp. | got a company of men, VIII,
promised to assist me in protecting th
Rinkertons. / stood on the boat unit
the last man left, but had not reckonet
on the thousands who were collecting
They came from all sides, and the boat
were soon in possession Of the rabble
The detectives received most inhumai
treatment, put our men did everything
TO protect them, as can prove
Are the persons effected by the pre-
posed change American or foreign born2
"Americans.p
"Why Ia 1t working people are so ger
orally opposed to Pinkertons?"
at may have been In this case due I
the fact that Eve men had been shS
dead and many others wounded. This
looked upon the Pinkertons as armo
invaders and as allies of the capitalist
Also, that If the Pinksftons got possel
sion that they would aid the firm
bringing in non-union men,
AT $50 p. m. the conference a
5ourned to meet at 4 p, IN.