Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02
GRIEVANCES At HOMESTEAD
Fight Between the Big Company and the
Unions is Coming On.
NO QUESTION OF WAGES IS INVOLVED
Men Belonging to AmaIgnmatcd Assoc
citation Discharged and Told Their
Membership in the Organ-
izution Was the Cause.

P1TTsBURG, Pa, July 1.-The reported
strike at the Homestead steel works of the
Carnegie company has not taken place as
yet, but the men are much worked up over
the discharge of the members of the Anal
gamated committee, who waited upon Super
intendent Corey yesterday and demanded
the return of the fifteen men dismissed re-
Gently for Joining the association. Threats
OF a strike are heard on all sides, but the
plant was in full operation today and all the
men were at work save the twenty-four dis
charged.
a meeting Of the Homestead workers was
In session until an early hour this morning
and conference with Superintendent Corey
was held at 9 o'clock today, but the closest
secrecy was maintained by both sides. A
short time later Superintendent Corey left
the works for Pittsburg to consult with the
officials OF the company. At the offices in
this city nothing could be learned, as the
officials preserved their customary silence
upon all matters concerning their affairs.
When Superintendent Corey was seen the
following interview took place:
''Did 1000 of your men quit last night?"
They did not" was his answer.
What reply did you give the committee?"
II prefer not to talk for publication
well, then, is the story true?"
Il would prefer that you see Mr.. Lovejoy
on the matter"
Can we say authoritatively that there is
no strike and that the men did not quit?'
you can"
An effort was made to communicate with
Mr.. Lovejoy, but he was inaccessible.
Refuses to Discuss the Matter.
President Schwab of the Carnegie COM
pany, when asked for a statement about
the proposed strike, refused to discuss the
matter at all. He would not admit the
truth Of any conference between himself and
Mr.. Corey, on one side, and the committee
of nine on the other.
There are 1000 men employed in the big
works. The company asserts that only
about $50 or 200 of them are skilled work
men in the sense that the term used is to
be accepted. 1t Is true the laborers pre-
dominate numerically, but the Amalgamated
people claim to have received every promise
of aid and support from them. The COM
pany has not made any attempt to conceal
the reason for the dismissals 1t was solely
for the reason that the men went into a
labor organization when they had been for
bidden. The question of wages does not
enter into the controversy, the men being
as well Paid and in many instances better
than those of the mills recognizing the
unions, and paying what is known as the
"scale rate"
Union Men Not Wanted.
The Amalgamated association has been
working with the Carnegie employees for
some time. 1t was intended to make the
matter of formation OF the organization
public several weeks ago and declare an
open fight. secret ballot was taken and
1t was decided to keep the secret, await
ing developments. The officials of the COM
pany, by some means, came to know that
some of their employees were members of
the union. Discharges Immediately fol-
lowed, with the plain statement by the
officials that they did not want union men
in their employ.
One by one men were discharged, as
their affilation with the labor organiza-
tion became known. That there has been
much quiet work done among the men dur
ing the last five years is known among the
officials of the organization. Open meetings
were held at Homestead some time ago for
the purpose of gaining foothold. The
meetings were well attended, but the men
were afraid to show their colors. Many of
them were discharged for their attendance
at these gatherings. The open plan was
then abandoned and secret work begun.
The Amalgamated association has ar
ranged for mass meeting Of the employees
OF Carnegie's at Homestead tonight. Vice
President Benjamin l. Davis has arrived in
the city and will take charge at Homestead
and will remain until the matter Is settled
He says he does not anticipate a repetition
of the battle Of 1892.
1t Is reported that 500 skilled workmen
left their places at the Homestead Steel
works today and went home. There was no
evidence OF this at the mills, however, as
all departments were In operation. The
town was quiet and scarcely any evidence
of labor trouble was noticed. 1t iB stated
that none of the employees who went through
the strike in 1892 are in favor of the move
ment.
Statement from Company.
The following official statement was issuel
by the Carnegie Steel company today:
With reference to the reported strike last
night at the Homestead steel works, it was
stated at the office of the Carnegie Steel
company today that the mills were running
full during the night and are running full
this morning and that none Of the employees
left the works during the night as reported.
A number Of workmen have been discharged
including a committee Of thirteen, which
called upon Superintendent Corey yesterday
to request the reinstatement OF men previ
ously discharged for cause.
The plant will close down at noon today,
as is usual on Saturday.
MANY FIRMS SIGN THE SCALE
AmaIgamated Association Starts with