Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-11

WASHINGTON, d. c., February 10
Mr.. Galinger, from the Select Oomnl L
tee appointed by the Senate 20 lnVeSu-
gate and report 90 the Senate the lSctS
i'm relation TO the employment Tor prl-
vate purposes OF armed bodies OF men or
detectives ia connection with dluerenceS
between wOrEmen and employers SUI
mitted the report Of the committee To-
dAy.
The committee found that the pro
prietOrs OF the detective agencies Az
mitted that the presence OF so-caIItu
Pipkertons al a strike served 70 uuduIy
ipAame tie passions Of the strikers, and
the employment Of detectives IN the
quise of mechanics impressed the COM
mittee with the belief that 10 Is an Ut
terly vicious system, responsible Tor
much OF the tl feeling displayed by the
working classes.
The committee expresses the opinion
that il firms and corporations Wouiu uls-
continue the employment of armed men
on occasions Of threatened or existing
strikes. there interests would be better
subsorved.
an strikes your committee" the re-
mort continues, "tnat If Mr.. Frick had
acted upon the views laid down oy Mr..
Andrew Carnegie Ia his article 'Ihe he
suits OF the Labor Trouble 10 the
Forum magazine, which in a recent let
ter 20 the chairman Of this committee
Mr.. Carnegie reafirmed, and had fur
ther extended negotiations with MS
wOrkmen, the Homestead strike might
have been avoided.
The committee declares that the ap-
pointment Of a private armed guard at
Homestead was unnecessary Ihere
was no evidence. they say, 20 sho" the
slightest damage was done, or attempt
ed 20 be done % property on the part OF
strikers. AT the same time there seems
10 be no excuse for the scenes OF dis
order and terrorism FOR which the
strikers were themselves responsible.
LaborinR men should learn the lesson
that they cannot better their condition
by violating the law or resisting lawful
authority.
The committee reached these conclu-
siOns:
/. Rights Of employers and workmen
. Employers have an undoubted
right. provided they fulhIl their agree
ments. to dismiss men at pleasure.
3. Workmen can legally organize for
mutual protection and Improvement.
4. When dissatisfied with wages or
hours they should attempt 70 arbitrate.
&. Failing In this they have right
discontinue work either singly or In a
body.
6. Having discontinued, they have no
right. legal or moral, by force or intim-
jdation 20 keep others from taking their
places or to attempt 70 occupy, injure,
or destroy the property Of their employ
erS.
=. In all controversies, arbitration
having failed, reliance should be placed
upon the power and. adequacy OF the
law.
5. Whether assumedly legal or not,
the employment OF armed bodies Of mea
for private purposes, by employers,
should rot be resorted TO, and such use
is an assumption Of the State 5 authority
BY private citizens.
Q. States have undOubted authority
TO legislate against the employment Of
armed bodies OF men for private pur-
poses, but the power OF Congress to so
iegislate is not clear, although IL would
seem that Congress ought not 20 be
powerless 60 prevent the movement Of
such bodies from one State 20 another.
In conclusion, the committee says
that its Investigations have led IL TO
conclude that the fault is not wholly on
one side, and that the middle ground
seems 70 be in the direction Of artitra-
Hlnn.