Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-04
PREPARING FOR A STRUGGLE.
State Of Affairs at the Great Works Of the
Carnegies.

state OF Anairs ut the Great Works OF the
Carnegies.
The great wage struggle now on between the
employees and owners of the Homestead pa
steel works continues the all-absorbing topic
Of the day in western Pennsylvania. The
weather yesterday was miserable, Just the kind
to breed evil. Rain fell almost continuously,
but the iron workers without single exception
carried themselves throughout the day -
straight and proper as Puritans.
No drinking was INDUCED in, which was due
mainly to the precautionary measures employed
by the leading members Of the Homestead
Lodge of the Amalgamated Association, who on
Saturday waited on the keepers of the numer-
GUS saloons in thatplace and succeeded in getting
them to close their taverns at O'Clock Saturday
night, to remain closed until today. Saturday
was pay day at the mills and under ordinary
circumstances such events are right royalty
celebrated. That there has been no serious
trouble since the struggle was inaugurated IL
Que 70 the splendid organization Of the workers.
Inc situation, however, is very much strained,
and some think the present state of affairs is
but the calm that precedes the storm.
WATCHING "FoRr pHIpps."
The 1000 idle workmen spent the day in
watching the barricaded plant Of the Carnegie
Steel Company. About 10 o'clock yesterday
morning pufs Of steam arose from the western
end OF the works, causing a short period of in
tense excitement. A boiler had been fired BY
some OF the officials, but for what purpose did
not become known. The steam arose again a
half hour later and then ceased.
A majority Of the mill workers were out on
guard duty. Perfect picket lines are being
maintained by the workmen. There are eleven
posts surrounding the plant, at which 235 men
are stationed. There are sixty-six men directly
opposite the city farm on the other side Of tho
river and fifty men at Munhall station. The
Homestead stations and other points are all
carefully guarded. A signal system Of rockets
IL used and whistle will be blown if general
alarm should be necessary. At five minutes
notice, either day or night, $500 men can be
summoned, as proved last Friday night, when
the system was tested by report that gang
OF wOrkmen was coming
Committees were sent to Altoona and Con-
neisvlle to watch any movement on the part Of
the company for supplying new men.
The posts across the river from Homestead
cover q distance of four miles. Cards are
posted in the different business establishments
announcing that no discussion of the wage
question will be allowed on the premises.
REMARKABLE LOCKOUT.
The situation at Homestead is most remark
able one in every respect. The present lockout
Will go down on the records as one of the great
est that has ever been chronicled in history.
The tactics used by both the Carnegie Steel
Company and the mill workers are as cleverly
executed as were ever those of war.
1t was reported that on Friday night q plan
was frustrated whereby it was the intention Of
the company to bring 200 new men to Home
stead. They were gathered up between Bethle-
hem and Scranton. The Amalgamated Associa-
ton learned Of the movement and about 100
members OF the organization joined the new
recruits in order to use their influence to pre-
vent the others coming to Homestead. So sue
cessful were they that the train had to be
sidetracked between Tyrone and Altoona and
the men returned to their homes. Had the
train reached Homestead the men would have
encountered another and still greater obstacle.
BOTH SIDES WELL PREPARED.
The preparations for defense have been so
well made that there is little danger of one side
stealing march on the other. Besides this, the
mill workers are almost as well informed in re-
gard to the cost and amount of production in
the different depar tmentG. and the various de-
tails IN connection Herewith, as the officials
themselves
The men on guard duty are relieved every
eight hours. The association has adopted the
motto. "A fair field and no favor" banner
bearing which will be hung across the street at
the Headquarters The men propose to MAIN
tam order and. If found necessary, protect the
property of the steel company. In the mean
time all strangers or supposed non-union men
are halted and must give very clear accounts
before they are permitted to 60 on their wav
1t was learned that the Carnegie Steel Com
pany Is fitting up two boats. the Monongahela
and the Iron Mountain. both of which are now
lying in the Ohio river few miles below Pitts
burg, SO as to be used in the event of ferious
trouble. Numerous bunks cots and eating
utensils have been arranged in both boats and
Qrylm nit and x-iztn -,
boxes, have been hauled on board in large guam
titles.