Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-19
not A MAN
Went to Work in the Homestead
Mill Yesterday, in Spite Of the
Proclamation that Repairs
would begin Monday Morning,
July 18-Mr. Potter Has Moth
ing to Say.


of men to-day passed rapidly through
the big gate in the Carnegie fence near
the offices Of the company. II any one
supposed, however, they were on the
way to start the repairs which the Car
negie officials had announced would
promptly mark the beginning OF the
week, ii was a decided mistake. Not
workmen, but soldiery was all the force
that the huge steel works in which the
now world famous strike is in progress,
received on the date that had been her
aided for the active commencement or
extensive preparations to resume opera
tions.
A careful watch beginning as early
as 4 a. m. and lasting throughout the
morning, showed that except soldiers,
clerks and bosses, not soul entered
the steel works. Long after the hour
when repair force would under ordi-
nary circumstances be at work, infor-
nation as to the progress made was
sought at the campany'S Office. In
auiries were directed to the Carnegie
officials, high in authority at Home
stead, so that an accurate statement
derived on the ground from an unques-
toned source could be made public.
The questions asked were designed to
elicit any details favorable to the COM
pany; but nothing encouraging could
be extracted from Superintendent Pot
ter, to whom the interrogatories were
put.
II have nothing TO say" was his only
reply, and appearances about the Offices
and mills fully bore him out, that from
company standpoint there was moth
ing that could be said. The halt in the
establishment seeming to be more pro-
nounced than ever. Not sign OF
smoke arose from any of the smoke
stacks, and except for passage Of the
Fourth regiment through the mill
grounds from across the Monongahela
river to do guard duty in town, not
sign OF life was visible anywhere be-
yond the office, the silence everywhere
being almost oppressive.
The big torch-like natural gas lights
burning here and there only added TO
the dismal appearance of the place. AT
the gates every one seeking admittance
and not known TO the watchmen was
met with the query, "Do you work
here?"
Only one man who looked as though
he might be intent on securing employ
ment put in an appearance. Others
who approached the offices were news
paper men and sightseerS. The usual
question, "Do you want work here?"
rather disconnected the newcomer and
when he disjointedly replied that he did
not but wished to see about work, he
was eyed suspiciously and finally turned
away as probable spy.
Although cavalier treatment was ac-
corded the only outsider on hand to-
day who presented the remotest resem-
blance to non-union workman the
statement was put forth by one OF the
militia officers that while 1t was true no
progress had been made since dawn,
there had been during the night and
yesterday something substantial accom-
plished.
According to the officer, who had been
one Of those on duty inside Of the mill
fence, between fifteen and twenty work
men had been smuggled in by ones and
twos. Most OF the number, he said,
were bricklayers, or professed to be. II
the assertion be true, the prospect of
something to be done in the repair line
would not seem so very re mote, as the
regular force OF bricklayers who rebuild
exhausted furnaces in the mills Is only
about 30 in number. Doubts as TO the
correctness of the statement, however,
is emphasized by the reticence OF the
local Carnegie officials, whose guinness
seemed to intensity as the day wore on.
Interest chiefly centered for the time
being in the protected visit to Superin-
tendent Potter by a committee from the
locked out men of the mechanical de-
partment. The committee was TO num-
Der twenty-five, and coming from the
same employees who yesterday upset the
companY's calculations by unanimously
resolving to keep away from the repair
shops to-day, were not expected to re-
ceive any too cordial a welcome.