The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1892-07-15


workmen in the association. They were |
OF different nationalities, but the major
ity were Americans The association did |
not countenance any act of violence ON
the part Of its laembers keeping out non
union men.
Chairman II G. Frick, of the Carnegie
Steel company. was then questioned by
Chairman Oates. and said that some OF
the workmen had testified that the poor
est paid men, and those who had the
hardest work, suffered the most under
the reduction. He selected the wages
during the month of May, and admitted
that the wages were q little large. Out
Of BOO men employed in the 119-inch
plate mill only 90 were reduced. In
1882, 295 men were employed in the
same department, and by the change in
the scale then, 195 were affected and 100
were not. More men were affected by
the sliding scale than any other.
In the ar1nor plate mill, out of l57
employees 81 are reduced. He said that
Mr.. McLuckie had stated that the COM
pany had purchased the Allegheny steel
plant, SO as to control the price of billets
and cut down the wages Of the work
men. This was absurd. The pay roll at
Duquesne is 500. .009. Only 40 per cent.
OF the men were effected by the sliding
scale. The men produced 2O0, 900 tons
Of billets monthly. IF biliets were re-
duced 81 ton this would mean loss
OF 5000, ,00O, and this could be offset only
by gain of s3.2o0 in the Homestead
mill. Mr. Fricx said Mr.. McLuckie
was poor fnancier.
de WIS asked why he proposed a re-
dnction in wages. He stated that the
first reason was reduced prices received
tor the product, and the second the in
creased tonnage by introduction of inn
proved machinery, which increased the
pay of the men, they being paid accord
ing to tonnage.
Mr.. Frick refused to answer definitely
what basis was taken in the sliding
scale, but said it was about s34
You are inclined then to give us no
idea of your profits?'
Il think have gone far enough in
cost"
by Mr.. Boatner- Major Mckinley
said the metal schedule in his tariff bill
had been SO carefully constructed that
no reductions to workmen could be
made. We should have the information
given Mr.. Mckinley.
"You must get it from Major McKin-
ley. / do not think the tariff has any
thing to do with this
TIo,.<, xxr. :. !. 4 ~, I~x.,.t
keeping politics out Of the investigation
Ia these questions
I Mr.. Frick declined to give the labor
cost of producing . ton Of billets. q
don't think we should be asked the de-
tails of our business, /" he exclaimed.
But those details were given when
the house passed bill giving you gov
ernment protection" put in Mr.. Boat
ner.
1--WE never asked the government for
| protection, = retorted Mr. Frick. This
Is surprising" and Mr.. Boatner really
looked surprised and Mr.. Frick grew
/ hot.
Mr.. Bynum put Mr.. Frick through an
| examination as to the tables of labor
and cost furnished the ways and means
committee and Mr.. Frick declared the
figures were incorrect.
Being asked by Chairman Oates If hi
company was making money out of th,
armor plate contract from the govern
ment, Mr.. Frick refused to answer. Mr.
Oates pointed questions as to the Car
negie concern trying to monopolize the
frxnl hx1a a. hr, snx
answer from Mr.. Frick that h,
did not believe they did. Ht
denied his company ever so underbit
competitors as to lose money. The iron
business was more depressed now thar
at any time in his knowledge. He sal,
he would have to 60 into bankruptcy i
REIMBURSEMENT of wages was not mad
at Homestead, but within a year TN
men would be making just as mucl
money. The examination Of Mr. Fricl
was closely pressed by all members o
, the committee. 1t was unsatisfactor,
to Messrs. Oates and Bynum who en-
: deavored to break through Mr.. Frick'
reserve and learn something of the ex
pensenses and profits of the Carnegi
concern. While the latter was ex
tremely nervous, he did not commi
himself on this point.
Charles Mansfield then testified. ri
! was at Homestead when the boat an,
barges landed. He was reporter on
Homestead paper. He went to the rive
bank when the alarm whistle of TIL
strikers blew. The first firing was from
the strikers. He saw the Pinkerton
land and they fired the first shots at tn
time. "A man fell on the bank. Th
strikers then returned the fire.
.. At / o'clock Chairman Oates ad
journed the committee SO far as Pitts
burg was concerned. Concluding ses
sions will be held in Washington, wher
testimony concerning the Pinkerton
and their organization viii be taken
Mr.. Oates said: There is nothin,
farther to be gotten here. Other vii
s, nesses would be only q repetition.
am satisfied with. all evidence excep
. that Mr.. Frick persistently refused &
answer pertinent questions, our repor
win be ready Just as soon as possible
Il xI.s - ..x ~s,s1f1 = ~~.<s.> g. u.