The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-10
THE HoMEsTEAD PEACEMAKER.
A Ten-Year-old Girl Said TO Have Helped
to Prevent n Strike.

According to q story told In Pittsburg, o
7o-year-old girl was one Of tho influences that
prevented strike at the great Homestead
mills. This is the way the thing is said to
have come about:
In the latter part Of June deep anxiety was
felt by the people OF Homestead In consequence
OF the rumors OF an impending strike at the
Carnegie mills. where nearly 5000 workmcn
are employed. Citzens remembered the hor-
rors OF the strike OF few years ago when
many lives we're lost aud much valuable prop
erty destroyed. and they Viewed with dread
the possibility OF a repetition OF the events
which almost ruined the borough. Bust
ness was paralyzed. II was ascertaned
that some OF tho employees-ton
mep-had organized q lodge Of the
Amalgamated Association and would attempt
TO secure It's recognition by the company. The
strength OF the movement was not divuged
Labor leaders announced that they would be
able to close the works at the appointed time
The company expressed confidence In its
ability to meet the emergency. and proceeded
members OF the lodge. The discharged men
and few, others-idlers and adventurers, held
a series OF meetings to formulate plans for a
general strike. These meetings were SHINY
attended. The lack Of enthusiasm astonshed
tered upon. but without much success: Nearly
the full force OF employees reported for work.
and the works continued in operation. At
length the attempt to force a stri Ike was aban;
doned. Nearly all who went out have applied
for reinstatement.
due to II lO-year-old girl the daughter OF
workman in the converting mill This man
and has an Interesting family. to whom he is
entirely devoted Being o man OF Intelligence
and o: sterling character. he is looked up to by
his fellows. who often go to him for advice.
His daughter is too young to remember the
great strike, but she has been told so much
which might bring disaster to the COM
munity and especially to her own home.
determined to do what she cou ID to avert the
danger. She had confidence in her father and
believed the men would do what he said, Ono
evening. when there was to be meeting Of
the strikers. she said to him:
Papad ". wpn tb you to GO got to the meeting n to-
This was a hard command for the father to
obey, He had taken no part in the movement
though urged to do so by the labor leaders.
he told them he was s'rnF Under
pearance at the meeting would be reported to
the company and would endanger his employ
nny B 9S t9 do to his he
quested. He could. at least. protest against a
course which he was satisfied would be ruin
known that he would attend the meeting.
there was no end Of surmise and speculation
mained discreety silent throughout the
trouble, and his sentiments were known to
only few. The strikers thought he had at last
come over to them. When his time came to
speak he arose. much embarrassed. and briefly
gave his reasons for opposing the strike.
lOu are getting association wages and have
steady work. ~ he said. There is no principle
involved which is vital to labor. You want
your lodge recognized You know tho com
pany will never do that. viii you risk the
welfare OF your families in a struggle that can
have no other result than failure Nearly all
OF you who own property are carrying mort
cages. DO you want to lose what little you
have been enabled to save2 Work is hard to
get. and II you are wise and have the good OF
your fellows at heart you will not persuade
them to leave their Jobs. Consider your wives
and children. Do you want to reduce them TO
poverty | am not here of my own free will,
My little daughter begged me to come and
plead for your daughters. l have discharged
my duty and leave the result with you"
matter before the mon in a way so plain and
practical as to settle the strike then and there.
1t was the last meeting, The next day tho
leaders decided to abandon the movement.
The company was duly informed OF this man s
presence at the meeting. but instead of being
dismis sed or reprimanded he received prOm se
OF promotion. Some of the discharged men
have been reinstated through his influence.
Citizens OF Homestead arc taking steps to re-
ward his services to the cause OF peace and
prosperity in substantial manner, His
1t became known that she was the real peace
maker her father being merely her spokes-
man. the milmen focked to her home by
scores to thank her for saving them from the
horrors Of strike. There is talk OF reward
ing her in some way