Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-08
aew Yaren @aig g@gurniag gunrnal AMID Gonrier

ing to follow the selling price down to I
was finally fixed by the Carnegie company
at the rate of $23 instead of $25. The
reason for asking this upon our part was
tibet the Carnegie company has spent large
sums of money in the introduction of new
| machinery in its Homestead plant, by
means of which the workmen were enable
to increase the daily output, thereby
increasing the amount of theiI
own earnings. We had originally
asked a reduction to $22, but
subsequently agreed to compromise the
rate at $23. The Amalgamated Associa-
ton was unwilling to consider a reduction
below $24 on steel billets, Notwithstanding
the fact that the improved machinery
would enable their members, even at $23
to earn more than Is paid in other Amalga-
mated mills. This was the first point at
issue.n
under the Amalgamated system the date
of the expiration of the sliding scale is
June 30. We asked a change to Deem
Der 81. same as the Edgar Thomson works.
This point the Amslgsmated Association
refused to concede and demanded the old
date. The third proposition was
the reduction in rates of ton
mage in those departments in the
mills where the improvements I have
spoken of have been made and which ena-
BILE the men to increase the output and
consequently their earnings. Where no
such improvements had been made there
was no such request upon our part for q
reduction in tonnage rates. In other
words, we asked no reduction in any de-
partment at which the output had not been
greatly increased by reason of our eIpens-
i've improvements since the ecale of 1889
went into effect. We are prepared to show
that in nearly every department under our
proposed reduction in the tonnage rates
the skilled workmen would make more
money than they did when the scale of
1889 went into effect. As a rule the men
who are making the largest wages in the
Homestead mill are the ones who most
bitterly denounced the proposed revision
of the scale, for out of the $500 men
employed in every department only 1896
were directly affected by this reduction.
Finding that 1t was impossible to arrive
at any agreement with the AmalRamated
officials we decided to close our works at
Homestead"
''Why did the Carnegie company call
upon the Pinkertons for watchmen to
protect their propertyf"
"We did not see how else we would
have protection. We only wanted them
FOR watching, to protect our property and
to see that the workmen we would take to
Homestead; and we have had applications
from many men to go there to work
were not interfered with"
WHY THE PINKERToNs WERE SECURED.
"Did you doubt the ability of the sheriff
to enforce order at Homestead and pro-
tect your propertyf'
eyes, sir, with local deputies"
"Whyr
'For the reason that three years ago our
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
authorities for protection. The
workmen began the actions similar to
those employed now. The sheriff assured
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 interfered. What was the resulta
The posse taken up by the sheriff-some-
thing over 100 msn-were' not permitted
to land on our property, were driven off
with threats of bodily harm and it looked
as if there was going to be great destruc-
ton of life and property. That frightened
our people and an agreement was made
and work resumed. We did not propose
this time to be placed in that position"
"The Pinkerton men, as generally under
stood, had been summoned and all arrange
ments made for them to be on hand in
case of failure by the sheriff to afford pro-
lection. Is that fact?"
"The facts concerning the engagement
of the Pinkerton msn are these: From past
experience not only with the present sher-
if, but with all others, we have found
that they have been unable to furnish us
with sufficient number of deputies to
guard our property and protect the men
who were anxious to work on our terms
AS the Amalgamated men from the fret of
July had surrounded our works, placed
guards at all the entries and at all avenues
or roads leading to our establishment
and for miles distant, we felt that for the
safety of our property and in order to
protect our workmen it was necessary for
US to secure our own watchmen to assist
thr sheriff, and we know no other source
from which to obtain them than from
Pinkerton agencies and to them We ap-
piled"
"What of the future of this difficultyi"
''It Is in the hands of the authorities of
Allegheny county. If they are unable to
cope with it, it certainly is the duty of the
BCaU6 10 See Gu6U We are TO
operate our establishment unmolestej."
"You doubtless are aware, Mr.. Frick,
that the troubles at the Homestead mill
have invited widespread attention, and as
a result congress proposes to investigate
the trouble, as we'll as the employment of
Pinkerton detectivesl"
81 am aware of the fact, sir. While no
body could regret the occurrences of the
last few days more than myself, yet
it is my duty as the executive head of the
Carnegie company to protect the interests
of the association. We desire to, and will,
protect our property at all hazards. So
far as congressional investigation is con-
cerned, I can say that we welcome it. We
ere prepared to submit facts and figures
which will convince unprecedented men of
the equity of our position. More than this
I believe that when all of the facts are
known revelations will be made which will
emphasize the justice OF all our claims"
"How do you regard the present trouble
at Homestead from a political standpoint
What effect will it have as tariff issue
in the political campaign of the coming
fallg"
"We have never given thought as to
what effect our affairs might have on
either of the political parties. We cam
not afford to run our business and run
pOl1tlc6 at the same time. 1t WOulO prove
very improbable if we were to trim our
sails to meet political issues. At the
same time I may say that it is not a mat
ter in which the protectivive tariff is in
volved, and every man, whether manu-
facturer or employe, is aware of the fact.
1t is, however, question as to whether or
not the proprietors or the workmen will
handle the works. We did not proprose
to reduce the earnings of our employees be-
low those of other Amalgamated men in
other mills. We have put in improved
machinery which other mills do not pos
sess; it increased our output and increased
the earnings of our men. We asked that
| a reduction be made in those departments
| 80 that the earnings of our employees
| would be on par with other workmen in
| other Amalgamated mills. 1t is not q
| question of starvation wages, for you will
| please bear in mind the fact that the pro
posed equalization of earnings affects only
| obork QOS man of opr 2 200 and fhav ara