People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-07-15
AFTER THE BATTLE.
Everything Quiet at Homestead-The De-
struction at the Carnegie Works Re-
paired-Frlck's Views of the Case.


The strikers are masters of the situa-
ton and the best evidence that they
could produce of their intention to pro-
tect property and not turn the town
into hell where anarchy and destruc-
ton rule lies at the scene of Wednes-
day nights battle, where the immense
plant of the firm of Carnegie, Phipps &
Co. stands practically uninjured.
The ruin that was incident to prepar-
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.
tricks VIEWS OF THE CASE.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, JulyS.-H. c. Prick,
chairman of the Carnegie Steel Co., was
interviewed as follows by George n.
Mccain, the correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Press:
"What was the basis of the differ
ences existing between the Carnegie
company and their men, Mr. Frick?"
"There were three points upon which
we differed The skilled worlmen in
the Amalgamated association work
under what is known as a sliding
scale. As the 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 point at which the decline
stops. 1t is known as the minimum and
the figure heretofore has been So per
ton for AKA Bessemer billets. We be-
lieve that if 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 reas-
enable minimum and so this figure was
finally fixed by the Carnegie company at
therate of S2S instead of SIS. 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 bv
means of which the workmen were en-
abled to increase the daily output,
thereby increasing the amount of their
own earnings. We had originally
asked a reduction to $50, but
subsequently agreed to compromise
the rate at S2S. The Amalgamated
association was unwilling to consider
reduction below S25 on steel billets.
Notwithstanding the fact that the i'm
proved machinery would enable their
members even at S2S to earn more than
is paid in other Amalgamated mills
This was the first point at issue.
Under the present Amalgamated
system the date of expiration of the
sliding scale is June 80, annually. We
ask that this date be changed to De-
cember 81 same as at Edgar Thomp-
SOM for the reason that the change
would permit us to take our estimate
upon the wages that we must pay DUR
ing the year beginning on January l, so
that we would be enabled to 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 to
protect their property"
"We did not see how else we would
nave protection. We only wanted them
for watchmen to protect our property
and see that workmen 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?"
Eyes, sir, with local deputies"
"Why?"
For the reason that three years ago
orT concern had an experience similar
to this. We felt the necessity of a
change at the works; that a scale should
be adopted based on the sliding price of
billets and we asked the county author
tiles for protection. The worl1men 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 to work were not inter.
fered with. What was the result? The
posse taken up by the sheriff-some-
thing over 100 men-were not permit
ted to land on our property; were driven
off with threats of bodily harm and it
looked as if there was going to 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 to be
placed in that position"
''The Pinkerton men, as generally
understood, had been summoned after
all arrangements made with them to be
on hand in case of failure by the sheriff
to afford protection. Is that a fact or
not?"
THE facts concerning the engage.
ment Of the Pinkerton men are these.
From past experience, not only with
the present sheriff, but with all Others,
we have found that he has been unable
to furnish us with a sufficient nun.
Der of deputies to guard our property
and protect the men who were anxious
to work on our terms"
]
Carnegie Refuses to Talk.
LONDON, July S-A correspondent OF
the United Press has been tracking Mr..