Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-12

assistance he could. He is we'll known in
Pittsburg and can give the committee val
liable information and introduce the MEM
bers to representative citizens.
Kerr Not Here as a Politician.
Mr. Kerr occupies no official position.
and wants it understood in what sense he
will be present with tine committee. His
presence in Pittsburg at this time may be
considered significant by some, but with
the Congressman Mr.. Kerr holds that the
affair is too serious for the introduction of
ANYTHING of a political character by out
siders He says the people should take the
committee at its word and in good faith. If
this is done he has no doubt that the in
yestigation will result in great good to the
country at large The report will be official
and authentic.
The committee expects to make some rec
concentrations to Congress, which, if car
ried out by the States, will have tendency
at least to prevent and check labor riots in
the future. The main province of the COM
mittee is to secure information. The men,
bers of the committee will stop at the Mo-
nongahela House. The United States
Court room has been rendered for their use,
but the indications are the hearings will be
held at the hotel
Local officers to Serve subp@nas.
No sergeant-at-arms accompanies the
judiciary, and the local officers of the law
will be asked to serve the subpenas.
Chairman Oates has the blanks in his grip,
but at this time he has no idea who will be
called. He wants to hear from the men,
bers of the firm and the leaders of the men.
Mr.. Oates expects the citizens of the city to
assist the committee and he will be guided
to some extent by their advice in the selec-
ton of the best witnesses
As soon as the committee arrives to-
morrow morning an organization will be
effected. 1t is proposed that the members
first go to Homestead to view the scene of
the battle so that they can more readily un.
derstand the testimony. This will, no
doubt, be the programme.
Power to Attach Witnesses.
The committee has power to attach wit
nesses who refuse to attend. 1t was stated
this evening that Mr.. Frick might not COM
ply with the subpoena Mr.. Boatner said
he hardly thought the manager would de-
cline to appear, for that would only preiu-
dice the firms side of the case.
Chairman Oates, in defining the work of
the committee, said they were instructed to
fully investigate the Pinkerton system of
hiring armed guards. For the present the
investigation will be confined to Home
stead, Il but he thought after awhile they
would gather information in other places.
He said the Pinkertons at Homestead were
only hirelings. The committee will inquire
by what authority they acted, who induced
them to come and the contract of hire must
be seen.
Ex-senator Wolverton, of Sunbury,
looked up Pennsylvania law for Colonel
Oates to-day which authorizes the Governor
to appoint railroad, coal and iron
police to guard mills and railroads in times
of trouble These men are commissioned by
the Governor and must wear badges on their
coats to designate them The act has been
amended several times, but the above is its
substance as it stands on the statute books.
Question as to the Manner.
The Chairman says the right of man to
defend his property cannot be denied. But
the manner in which it is done can be regu-
lated by laws If this were not so cor
poration could use cannon and a large force
of men to protect property. There is no
telling where such a system might lead to.
Property rights should be secured in such
way as to not incite riots and disturb the
peace of communities.
understand, continued Chairman Oates,
s.that there is no law against the hiring Of
armed guards in Pennsylvania, but the