The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-09

the expiration of the agreement from June
seth 10 December 3lst. The men VIII never
yield in this point The company could die
tate its own terms in midwnter. when starya-
Il n and freezing united in forcing the men 10
submit TO anything the company chose 10 de-
mand. Mr. Frick saws the scale Affects only
32j men out Of the $500 at these mills. inns
is only partly true. IL the scale proposed by
the Carnegie Steel Company should be en-
forced and the wages Of these 32o. men cut
down. it is only matter OF q very short tlme
until there would be general reduction oil
along the line
TIE PROPOSED REDUCTION.
Besides the proposed reduction against
which the men have demonstrated IS from III
per cent. TO 60 per cent. outside OF the pro-
posal 10 make the minimum basis 122 ton
on steel billets. 1t affects more than 325
men. but even If il affected only one man. the
principle of our organization is "one tor all
aud all for one" aud the greatest good TO the
greatest number Mr.. Frick makes bis state
ment in good faith, but he has been misin-
formed. lie has never had any experience
in the manufacture of steel. Even il he had
it would be no evidence of his competency TO
act as final Judge The Homestead mills are
different from any other in the world.
The work is of such character that even
with the perfect machinery It requires hand
ling by men of skill gained only by long
The machinery used here is much compli-
Gated The ordinary days work OF twelve
hours leaves the men exhausted from
the mental as we'll as the physical
strain. AS TO Alr. tricks statement
that when Sheriff McCleary visited here the
advisory committee asked 70 have our own
members act a...deputY sheriifs II is not true.
1he advisory committee. as it still suggests,
only advised aud did oil in its power
% Illustrate any excitement or violent
acts. 10 took no action without hTSt
consulting with three Of the best attorneys
before the bar Of Allegheny county. When
the sheriff came here we asked him 70 make
the citizens of the town his deputies. Further
tnan this we offered to furnish bonds OF
Sl0. 900 for every mans faithful discharge Of
his duty If tho citizens Of Homestead were
sworn in as deputies.
REASON FOB DESIRING HOME DEPUTIES.
One reason for our desiring the deputies was
that We have known for a month that prepar-
atOns were being made TO send a PinkertOn
force up here. We hoped to fOrestall that by
a peaceable move. We know the names and
addresses of every man on those barges and
they Will themselves make athdaylts 20
these facts. The attitude of Mr.. Frick to-
wards organized labor was well
known aud from the fact that
he was 10 assume control at this moment,
when the old scale would expire and our own
was supposed 10 take effect led the Amaiga-
mated Association TO expect the worst. For
some time they endeavored to act along the
lines foreshadowed by superintendent Pot
ter. When the Amalgamated Association
met in convention in Pittsburg in June they
reviewed the scales formulated by the Home
stead lodges and approved them.
MINOR POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.
1t was only necessary to meet with the firm
and agree upon an adjustment Of a few minor
points of difference. Accordingly, on Thursday
Of last week the conference committee called
at the Office of the new firm. An informal DIS
cusslOn was INDUCED IN for little
while, during which time Mr.. Frick exhibited
q decided inclination 10 be arbitrary and left
the room. The committee. thus meeting
with such cold reception. felt that further
attempts 70 come TO an agreement
at this time would be useless, and
arose TO leave, when Mr.. Potter
begged them TO remain a few moments
longer. and he would himself prevail upon
MIR. tTick and give them further hearing
The committee had announced their desire to
settle upon the S25 basis and Dir. Flick had
given his ultimatum at .22. When Mr. Pot
ter offered 10 intercede the committee author
lied him to name S24 basis.
FINAL ULTIMATUM.
After an interview with Mr.. Frck. Mr.. Pot
ter brought in his final and conclusive ulti-
matum. that tho firm would agree TO a S23
basis upon the consideration that agreements
should terminate on January 1st of each
year. instead of July, as at present.
While it was apparent that the com
mittee could have met the. frml with
fair concession, as far as the scale was con-
cerned. this new condition Of a change in the
termination Of the agreement developed the
fact. which had been suspected ever since Mr..
Frick came upon the scene that 1t was not so
much question of disagreement as TO wages,
but design upon labor organization itself,
that would prevent a settlement. Mr.. Frick
peremptorily decided the conference at an
and