Evening Star Newspaper, July 14, 1892, Page 6

MANY. ANXIOUS FACES (Continued from First Page.) antagonist, damaged as he war, was locked up and charged with disc Inst night the assctiat spondents beid a meetic to attend to certain matters of importance, and before adjournment a resolu’ monsly and en:husiasticali stration of “the power of the press.” _ ASKING MAN QUESTIONS. The Congressional Investigation Into the ‘Troubles at Homestead. Prrrsacno, Pa., July 14.—Representative W. D. Bynum of Indiana was the only prompt mem- ber of the congressional committee invewtigat- of the Homestead strike and riot He was in the committee room Jock and spent the half hour waiting on his asco: ing the papers, element was particularly well represented. ©. Frick, chair: a a. disenssed the with Mr. Bym plncently read his mail. Chairman Oates that the committee so far bad +« Oates com- unced in the opening hed only for port. He minority report. DETAILS OF STEEL MAKING. General Superinten + was the first witnes. He described general details of steel making and the work performed by different classes of workmen. He said that Homestead mills were the finest in the world | and workmen made 50 per cent more wages! then in any other plant. He said the average reduction proposed by the company, which pre- | cinitated the strike, was 12 per cent. About 900 men were ‘This reduction vas | getting more wages | introduction of | seing the amount of | product increased the wages. ‘The firat distarbance that occurred was before | the mill shut down,when he and Mr. Frick were | hung in egy eof the of the | committee went to tear them down he was drenched with wai { morning of July I some of bis foremen and | men were stopped by others who tried to keep | them out of the mill. July 2he legt the mill aud returned on the boats Tide and Little Bill on July 6, when the Pinkertons were taken to the works.” He was accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Gray. STRIKERS FIRED FIRST. Asthey drew near Homestead they «aw the | banks crowded with people shouting and firing | skote. He cautioned Deputy Sheriff Gray not | tolet the men commit dny overt act. Th crowd ran along the bank, following them up. He thought that they would go so further than the fence of the gie works. They landed the boats within the works. The strikers broke through the fence and commenced fring on them. Depnty Gray pacified the Pinkertons until the firing became heavy from the shore. When they returned the shots be ordered them te quit. Three or foar of the Pinkertons were wounded. The 4 would disperse eacefai landing in a 1 disposed to make a from Mir. Frick ‘tact. plate mill, He did not few hours. forcible entry, as he bad telling him to not commit David Lynch, boss heater i was called up for a conference with Chairman Oates, who wanted technical information con- cerning the plate mill. THE REDUCTION IY WAGES PROPOSED. Austin Colblesh, a roller in the 11%inch mill. the next witness, was asked by Mr. Oates what reductions the company proposed and who it would affect. He raid that in the heating de- artment the reduction amounted to 8 per Eethe shearing departroent the grostest red tions were proposed. In one case the new scale proposed a drop of Under the old scale on 1,500 tons at $25 be made $141.45. Atthe reduction he would receive $92. Shear helpers would now make $1.98 for eight hours. Formerly their pay was one-third | more. “How much is the labor cost of producing a ton of steel?” asked Judge Taylor. “About $1.52. That is only for skilled ANOTHER STORY OF THE FIGHT. Capt. F. Kennedy of the stenmer Little Bill ‘was a watchman on one of the Pinkerton barges. He detiled the arrival of the Pinkert guards and their trip up the Monongahel Fiver. Near Homestead they met the etvikers Fiver patrol, who fired a skyrocket wo give warning. Up at the whar!, he eaid, men and women mingied. broke down the fence and fired on the barges. This party fired first. ‘The Pinkertons held their fire until three of their number were injured. The Pinkertons, he said, were greatly frightened. “I suspest they were.” agreed Mr. Ontes. In answer to Mr. Boatner, Capt. Kennedy said about fifty of the Pinkertons were good shots and easily picked off the strikers. The others were arrant «kulkers. ‘The witness at- tempted to imitate Mr. Boatner’ssouthern drawl and was flayed in his exaMination for his pains. Andrew Huff was the next witness. He was ‘onone of the barges during the fight. When the firing commenced from the shore only afew of the Pinkerton« tried to land. He came away on the Little Bill when the wounded were | ident of the Amalgamated . nm placed on the stand, He said there were 25,000 skilled workmen in the association. They were of different nation- alities, but the majority were Americans. The did not countenance an act of vio- e part of its members in keeping out non-union men. CHAIRMAN PRICK QUESTIONED. Chairman H. C. Frick of the Carnegie Stee! Company was then questioned by Mr. Ontes, who said that some of the workmen had testified | that the poorest paid men the hardest work suffered ductiog. He selected the wag month of May, just before the trouble, admit- fing, though. that the wages were a little large. Out of 300 men employed on the 119-inch plate mill only $2 were reduced. Ino 1882 296 men were employed in the same department, and by the change im the scaie then 196 wore ‘affected m were affected by mill ont of 157 employes ed. ite said that Burgess y that the com- ; cl plant so as te controi the price of billets and cut down the | Wages of workmen. This was absurd. The pay roll at Duquesne is 200.000. Only 40 per cent of the workmen were affected by the slid men produced 200,000 tons of If billets were reduced €14 ton this would @ loss of 320,000 and this could be offset only by a gain of $3,200 in the Homestead mill. Mr. Frick said Mr. Mc- Luckie was a poor financier. He was asked why he proposed a reduction of Wages. He stated that the first reason was re- duced prices received for the product, and sec- ond, the increased tonnage by introduction of improved machinery. which increased the pay of the men, they being paid according to ton- Raye. ~Will you state the approximate cost of pro- The labor | | just as much money. | saw the Sight on Jaly 6. | WILL START WHEN THEY ARE READY. | that Mr. Frick was the authority for the | men of their respective wards and districts Mr. Frick declined to give the labor cost of Producing a ton of billets. {don’t think we should be asked the details of our business,” he exclaimed. “But those details were given when the House 1 a bill giving you government protec- put in Mr. Boatner. NEVER ASKED FOR PROTECTION. “We never asked the government for protec- tion,” retorted Mr. Frick. “This is surprising,” and Mr. Boatner really | looked surprised and Mr. Frick grew hot. r. Bynum put Mr. Frick through an exami- ‘ov a8 to the tables of labor and cost fur- shed the ways and means committee and Mr. | Prick declared the figures were incorrect. | asked by Chairman Oates if his com- late tracts from the government Mr. Frick re- 1 to answer. 3 Mr. Oates’ pointed questions ag to the Car- negie concern trying to monopolize the steel | business were met by an iey answer from Mr. | Frick that he did not believe they did. | He denied his company ever so un- derbid competitors as to lose money. The | iron bnsiness was more depressed now then at | any other time in his knowledge. He said he | would have to go into bankrnptey if a read- tment of wages was not made at Homestead, mt within a year the men would be making | | tion, s making taoney out of the armor |" The examination of My. Frick was closel | pressed by all members of. the committee. It was unsatisfactory to Messrs. Oates and ig re who endeavored to break through Mr. Frick’s reserve and learn something of the expenses and profits of the Carnegie concern. While the latter was extremely nervous he did not | commit himeelf on this point. A REPORTER'S STORY. Charles Mansfield then testified. He was at Homestead when the boat and barges landed. | He was a reporter on a Homestead paper. He went to the river bank when the alarm whistle of the strikers blew. ‘The first firing was from the strikers. He sew the Pinkertons land and they fired the first shote at that time. A man fellon the bank. The strikers then returned | the fire. . Taylor then went on the stand. He He thought the first firing came from the boat. SESSIONS TO BE HELD HERE. At 1 o'clock Chairman Oates adjourned the committee vo far as Pittsburg is concerned. Concluding sessions will be held in Washington, where testimo their organization will be taken. Mr. Ontes said: “There is nothing further to be gotten here. Other witnesses would be only # repetition. Iam satisfied with all evi- dence except that Mr. Frick persistently re- fused to answer pertinent questions. Our re- ort will be ready just as soon an possible. I Wisk we wil agree, except in. mine mantis, and I see no reason for a minority report.” During the morning Judge Taylor withdrew from the investigation. He went to his home in Ohio, but will be present at the finish sit- tings of the committee in Washington. ae The Officials of the Homestead Works Pre- paring to Resume. Prrtserea, Pa., July 14—The Carnegie Steel Company is, according ‘to its officials, pursuing a determined plan to start the Home- stend works, and have nearly all the arrange- monte made. Secretary Lovejoy was asked whether the mill will be operated before the soldicrs are withdrawn. he soldiers will have no effect on our plan er one way or the other,” he answered. ‘an you be ready in ten days?” i you be ready within ton days?” e will, with all the men we want and all ira made. ill you start then?” If we want to.” Mr. Lovejoy still declares that most of the Homestead workmen will return to work just assoon aa the company wants them. He is confident there will be no trouble in securing the remaining men needed in other places. A telegram is said to have been sent yester- day to Gen. Snowden at headquarters in Home- stead telling him that a number of non-union men had been engaged by H. C. Frick and were on their way to Homestead. It was reported message. On this report Mr. Frick declined to be interviewed. Secretary Lovejoy said: “T will neither afi nor deny the story. Ava full meeting of board it was decided that this week we would instead of talk. This, you see, we are . Our intention is to run Homestead non- and that we will do.” Six men, who were supposed to be in Home- stead to get work on their own hook, were sent back to Pittsburg yerterday by strikers. No one knows where they came from. ‘The men at the Carnegie Union mills, Law- renceville, and the Beaver Falls mill were pre- paring last night to quit work today in accord- ance wittt their resolution to go out if the Car- negie Steel Company would notagree to a con- ference with the locked-out man of Homestead. The firm refuses to agree to a conference. ‘The men claim they can raise a million dol- lars or more to support them in their present struggle. They were confident that the non- union men at Braddock and Duquesne would | A spirit of concerning the Pinkertons and | "% comé to their assistance and quit work if neces- sary. ‘The workmen of the Ke} Bridge works did not meet yesterday and the report that they will quit work with the employes of the Union mills is denied. The manufacturers’ and iron workers’ wage committee spent another four and one-half hours yesterday in warm discustion. Although was agreed to that will greatly simplify matters und possibly lead to a general signing at an early day. The manufacturers presented their objections to the scale in writing and the con- ference adjourned until Monday next. In the meantime the workers will confer on the manu- facturers’ objections. The opinion now pre- vails that a perfect agreement will be reac! the next meeting. The Valley Steel’ Railroad Company, Belle- ville, IIL, signed the scale yesterday. Thirty-seven master workmen, thirty-five senfor delegates and many other members met at the hall of District No. 3, Knights of Labor, on 3d avenue, last evening. Tepresent- atives present pledged the moral and financial support of their various locals to the Amalga- mated Association in their present straggle. Every ropresentative was instructed to advise its locals to send a committee to the council- urging them to return the money given for the Carnegie Free Library. Sipe RIGHTS TO BE RESPECTED. Gen. Snowden Says That Unlawful Arrests at Homestead Must Cease. Howesteap, July 14.—While martial law has not been officially declared in Homestead, it has occurred. After the various unauthorized arrests made by the special yesterday Gen. rigorous measures this | length of declaring martial law. juest of a committee the present formal proceedings. But the informal work was quite as effective. | The fifteenth regiment was early drafted the hill, taking up positions about the provost marehel’s tent, fronting on 8th avenue. Two companies of about ninety men were then sent ducing steel billets? be nine to a’ night. I do so now. the eotion of cost.” I do not care to go into “About $5,000,000, possibly $6,000,000. Mr. Frick said one roller on the twe: wer that question the other | the station, and at the wage scale was not adopted an arrangement | Peace. ization that it has necessary for us to ¢o-operate with the civil authorities in preserv- | let story that the town had been declared under martial law traveled rapidly to the strikers’ juarters, where there was, natu- tally, excitement over it. Mir. O'Donnell said that it was vag Brana under the circumstances, was to havo been ex- pect SOE, SB ES FETTERS OFF THE PRESS. Correspondents at Homestead Not Now Amenabie to the Strikers. ‘Staff Correspondence of The Evening Star. Howrstnap, Pa., July 13.—“Out of the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell.” The speaker was a newspaper correspondent whose life since last Thursday morning has been con- tmually in imminent danger. He was watching the first column of troops that marched up Army Hill. Nearly thi rs ago Albert D. Richardson, one of the Now ook ‘Tribune's when he reached the Union lines after escape from long imprisonment in the south, but there ‘was no more depth of meaning in the words then than they possessod yesterday. No one can ever describe the sense of relief that came to men who, although ited and threat- ened hourly, did that which they deemed to be their whole duty to, themselves and the nows- Papers they represented. When the children of Israel made their historic escape out of the house of bondage there was groat rejoicing in their midst. ‘The timbrels sounded, herp strings were fingered to breaking point and every Yoice joined in the chorus of hosannas. Meta- phorically the scene was repeated in Homestoad yesterday. After a week of the most painful strain, mental and physical, the bluecoated de- liverers had come and with them they brought the star spangled assnrance that the feedom of speech and of the press should not be abridged. n independence that prior to the coming of Gon. Snowden would. have been Dut little short of suicidal made its appearance on the public streets and was felt instantly by the strikers. In spite of the fact that liberty and Jaw were triumphant several of the mill hands endeavored to exercise their recently decensed authority. Some of their guards insisted on several recent newspaper arrivals securing the badge which the Amalgamation folks issued last week. If this interference continues Gen. Snowden will make a fow pertinent remarks, Speaking to me of this matter yesterday even- the general said: “If you have any consti- tutional rights that are stiff for Inck of recent exercise, why, go down street and exercise them at onc.” No one in Washington knows how much satis- facticn there was in such words from the sa- preme terrestrial authority at Homestead. A WRATHY WRITER. One western correspondent, a man of ex- cellent nerve, but perhaps a trifle deficient in judgment, stood out in the roadway immediately in front of the strikers’ headquarters yesterday afternoon and after securing the atiention of several members of the advisory committee he deliberately tore up the strip of cambric which they had given him to wear on his breast as a means of \dentification. “It was never anything but a badge of servi- tude,” he exclaimed. “I wore it because you tyrants, backed by a murderous mob, com- plea me to, My paper sent me here to get e news and I sacrified pride to duty. Now I can get my news like a free man. There are no slaves bencath that flag.” and he pointed to the national colors flying in the great camp on the hill. ‘Then he fround the fragments of the flimsy fabric in the dust and walked away, looking scornfully at the anger-flushed faces of the strikers. ‘The vorps of correspondents own the town of Homestead today. Itis not desirable rty at this time, but there are no Hmitations on breathing or motion and ‘no men stall molest them or dare make them afraid.” “Bia NEws” comrnc. “There will be big news for you newspaper men in a day or 60,” said @ member of the ad- visory committee to me this afternoon. “I know what I am talking about,” he continued, “when I say that non-union men will never be Permitted to enter the Homestead mill. 'Thou- sands of ushsve made up our minds to pre- vent such an invasion, and if Frick makes any such effort as he says he will there will be suc trouble here ay no man has as yet dreamed of.” Just what this utterance means is not easily understood. Other leaders have assured me that disorder is impossible at this time, but such a positive threat cannot be lightly’ brushed aside. Maybe it portends a division of senti- ‘ment as to the best course to pursue and if that really exists thon the situation will be confused beyond description. The house divided against itseif shall’ surely fall. It has been suggested that a movement in force on the part of the strikers will follow the action of other mill men tomorrow. All the Carnegie Company's em- ployes at other points have decided to go out on strike tomorrow unless Chairman Frick en- deavors to straighten out the Homestead matter immediately. Mr. Frick will not respond, Tam informed this afternoon. Tomorrow there will be more than 12,000 iron workers on a strike, allof them within twenty minutes ride from Homestead. If the threateners do walk out the situation will be numerically three times as bad us it is today. If my confiding prophet has any of the spirit of prophecy in him there will truly be big news here in a day or two. ‘THE TROOPS INTEND TO STAY. Ifthe strikers are figuring on having the troops desert Homestead inside of two wecks they are sadly in error. It is now almost cer- tain that a call for three months’ volunteers will be issued shortly, and as #oon asa sufficient number of men have come forward a regiment will be organized and left hero to keep the are of the opinion that it with a mi § Mo ’s unfitness for the highand sible office he holds accumu- lates rapidly. Yesterday he his senses about him if te in the doctor's care. ‘These statements are not rumors—they are hu- ‘This will frustrate several of the plans now being formulated by those who are intent on keeping out the non-union workers and the Pinkerton watchmen. Gen. Snowden is quietly preparing to meet almost any kind of a move. intimated yesterday that the general was de- cidedly unpopular with the strikers. The busi- nesslike way in which he treated his callers yesterday is being mentally and vocally re- sented. One of the mill workers used insulting last night in the presence of an arti leryman and was promptly knocked down for applying opprobrious spithets to the command- ing officer. During evening it became known around town that the Little Bill, the tug that hauled the Pinkerton ry up from Pitts- burg, had been engaged to keep up military communication with the northern river front and with Pittsburg. This annoyed the strikers very much. They hate the Little Bill with growing fervor because of the part played by tug in the Pinkerton invasion. Jhave he congreniooalinvestigning’ core, to have the cot in ting com- mittee now in session at Pittsburg take ae the matter of the seale, but I have the peemer thy Ay oiwrieie _ B. = for saying that the ing not get beyond the limits of the resolution under which ‘the com- ‘mittee was (cage “We shall hear testimony tions of Pinkerton's men,” “That is enough to keep us busy for some time. We have nothing whatever to do with the scale. Three or, four witnesses on each si wat ire walk ts tnfereantion wo need. Thope Bintburg are conseruod, before the’ close of are concei fore t jose this week.” NO IMMEDIATE PROSPECT OF A COLLIGION. If the military anthorities can prevent it, and there is no good reason why they cannot, there will be no collisions between soldiers and | built. civilians. This its of sixteen men the entire town is being thor- ‘oughly patroled during the earlier hours of the aS tured and tebe (gps bat passes were ), but on thore are bas few soldiersin town, on hand. it i ive t Fy ft i EE it a i i ! f E rr ati ie EEE tik | [ H i ii i i it i fi i il A miliating facts, of which IT have personal kno edge. Gro. 'H. Haxnizs. | GETTING DOWN TO THE FACTS. Progress of the Congressional Investigation at Pittsburg. Sheriff McCleary continued his testrmony be- fore the congressional investigating committee at Pittsburg yesterday after Taz Stan's report closed. He was notified, ho said, on July 4 that he must protect the property of the company. On ‘Tuesday (the 5th) he sent twelve deputies to the works and they were driven away. His effort to secure » posse wus detailed at length. He was notified the night the Pinkertons went upand he tried to persunde them not to send them, as he feared trouble. He was finally induced to send Col. Gray along to try to prevent trouble. Sheriff MoOleary said the people would not serve on his posse because they were afraid of being killed. ‘ This statement caused a general laugh and ‘Mr. Boatner said the war feeling was not strong in Pittsburg. ‘The sheriff said he had not ar Col. Gray to_doputize the Pinkertons, He did not go to Homestead on the day of the trouble becanso it was useless. Deputy Sheriff Clnly then took the stand and told the story of how the deputies had been driven out by the strikers. Capt. Rodgers was recalled and stated that after the detectives ld surrendered the barges were burned. Col. Gray said that he had no déubt the Pinkertons all know where they were going. ON THE SIDE OF LABOR. President Weihe was the first witnoss on the side of labor. He reviewed the sliding scale end the failure to reach an agreement with the company. Reductions, be mid, were proposed in most all departments. The men objected because they did not think a reduction neces- sary. The reductions would averege 18 per cent. The date of tho expiration of the scale was a vital question tothe men all over the country, because they could not work in the heated season. As far as he could estimate the labor cost of a ton of steel at Homestead was $1.55. In reply to Judge Taylor as to why the mem ‘thought they hada right to take possession of the mill Mr. Weihe said: “There may be some who think so, but they are not so taught in the ition.” “This thing hasbeen amystery to me. I would like to know why these men think they had the right to take other people's property.” sald Judge Taylor. “There seems to Be some queer ideas of the rights of property. Was it not the object of these men when they fought the Pink- ertons to prevent the mill being worked by non- union men?” “Well, that may have been the object; I do not know that it was.” “Well, I have littie doubt that such was the case,” said Judge Taylor. of pi “Are there matters sical resistance settled in your conven- sir; they are purely local.” you ever offer to arbitrate this?” Not until after the trouble.” “Are you willing to settle this question by arbitration?” “I cannot say for the association, but the Homestead men are.”” “Are you in favor of an arbitration bill, by which all such matters will be settled?” ask Mr. Bynum. “Well, I hardly know what the association would do. So far as Ihave known workmen usually get the worst of it. I believe that it will soon come to thix, however, and personally I can see little objection to it. In my opinion compulsory arbitration would not be a success country. If the arbitration was mado compulsory all parties should be made to ex- hibit their books. The workmen believe they understand their business better than any one, d think they and the manufacturers should attend to their own business and agree on some- ing. “Yes,” eaid Mr. Boatner, “but you did not seem to want to agree till several persons were ity Mr. Weihe was asked if the association always carried out its contract, and he said yes. Chait “Is it not true that ‘irman Oates sais after signing the scale certain members of your association notified the company that certain things were done in this controversy thoy would quit work, and thus break their con- fract?”” “Well, I know some such thing was done.” HUGH O'DONNELL ON THE STAND. Hugh O'Donnell was called and Mr. Oates said: “Now, Mr. O'Donnell, while we are not here to assume anything, we wish to say that if the answers to any questions we ask you may tend to eriminate you you may not answer “Well, Iam not afraid,” said Mr. O'Donnell. “Tam one of the high-priced men ‘and would not be much affected by the reduction,” enid the Witness, When the men. went cut. the eight lodges a joint meeti appoint tho advisory commafttes, of which withhas, was chairman, "Men were plac round the, fence to “4 out irresponsible people.” This was done July 1. The men were instructed to keep any one out of the mill. ‘They were there to if and persuade non-union men to remain out of the mill. a “We intended to use only peaceful means,” said the witness, ‘‘and no one more regrets tho asgault than the advisory committee does.” ‘The witness then repented the story of the battle and his efforte to prevent the firing by inhuman trest- ment of the Pinkortons after the surrender, he said, was not the work of the strikers, but irre- es. Witness said he ave €144 per month, eight hours, under the old scale, fe said the works had built the town. About 40 per cent were American born. ‘The persons affected by the proposed scale were most all American He did not know even the approximate cost Co oampoe tae He said no improvements been made in the 119-inch mill since it was ‘What moves were made by the men when they quit work?” “A mass tH if Ha i ; |$ho tariff reduced on the unless | so that no demonsiration canbe made “What is the great cause of this hatred to 8 t ase ““Well,you know.the working people are gen- 3 erally opposed to the Pinkertons, “Well, why?” asked Chairman Oates. “We are also’ investigating the Pinkertons, the sys “Well, the laboring look the idan as onees 20"%ue_laberiad Pinkertons men. ‘The chief objection to them coming here was that we feared with them would come non- union men.” ,Atthis point the meeting was adjourned to m. Tin the afternoon Burgess MeLuckie, Wm. Roberts, ex-vice ident of the Amalgamated Assooiation, and Gray, deputy sheriff, were exai ‘Burgess MoLuckie said ho thought there was a gigantic conspiracy somewhere, aided and abetted by legislation, to deprive the working- men of their rights under the Constitution of this government, that of life, liberty and the pursuit of happinoas. Mr. Taylar asked why he had formed such an opinion. ‘The witness said: “Well, after to work fully assured that we had a which we could depend the McKinley bill came in and reduced that identical article upon which our compensation was based and raised the tariff on other.articles."” Mr. Boatner—“You speak of a conspirncy. Isit your idea that the company after hav: your wages raised on the co of billets “That s the idea."” Mr, Taylor—‘‘You think the less tariff the less the wages?” “T think so.” “I infer from what you say that Carnegie and McKinley were parties to this conspiracy?” “By them reducing the price of billets our wages were reduced. “Who do you think were in tho conspiracy?” “The Union Pacific and Carnegies, with H. C. Frick at the head.” ‘ “Then a majority of Congress must have been in it, too?’ “T did not say so, Tam not here for the pur pose of insulting this committee.” “Bat you have referred to something you call vicious iegislation, which is an imputation, to say the least.” Mr. Roberts was then called. He said that Superintendent Potter stated to the conference committee that the reason for the reduction was thatsome of the men were too much money, Tho Amalgamated committee bad fate to settle the differences, but after they had received this authority they never heard from Mr. Potter until Mr. Frick’s ulti- matum was presented. In reply to Mr. Boatner he snid he felt sure that the matier could have been settled if the conference had been carried on. The objection to the termination of the scale in January was that from past experience, when the winter comes and the ecale xpires, the manufacturers take advantage of the cold weather to starve their men into submission. The association, he said, was willing to makea three, five or even ten years’ eeale, and give the firm the privilege of making their ‘repairs when they choose. Mr. Boatner—‘‘Are you in favor of compul- sory arbitration?” Mr. Roberts—“I think that is, perhaps, the only solution of the Iabor problem.” Mr. Boatner—‘-You think if the mannfac- turers are protected to the extent of 75 to 100 per — yon ought to get a share of it?” “Yea, sir” Mr. Boatner—“I think so, too.” Mr. Bynum—“Where does the consumer come in? I suppose he gets left."” The witness further stated that during a scale conference Mr. Abbott, the former chair- man of Carnegies, said their quotations in steel billets were $2 lower than the market price, and insisted that the scale should be arranged on that basis. WHY THE PINKERTONS WERE ENGAGED. The following letter from Mr. Frick to Robt. A. Pinkerton, asking for special watchmea to guard the mills, was submitted: Tuz Carxeor Steet ComPaxy, Prrrspuro, Pa., June 25, 1892. Dear Sir: Iam in receipt of your favor of the 22d. We will need 300 guards for service at our Homestead mills a a measure of precaution against interference with our plan to start the operation of the works July 6, 1892. The only trouble we anticipate is that an attempt will be made to prevent such of our men with whom’ by that time we will have made satistactor arrangements from going to work, and bly some demonstration of violence on the part of those whose have been filled, or most likely by an element which usually is ‘attracted by such scenes for the purpose of stirring up trouble. We are not desirous that the men you send shall be armed unless the occasion calls for such a measure later on for the protection of our employes. We will wish these guards to be = on our Fp oe and there to remain un- called into other service by the civil author- ity to meet an emergency that 1s likely to arise. These guards should be assembled at Ashtabula, Ohio, not later than the morning of July 5, when they may be taken by train to McKee's Rocks or some other point on the Ohio river | below Pittsburg, where they can be transferred to boats and landed within the inclosure of our premises at Homestead. We think absolute ‘secrecy essential in the movement of the men, they are en route. Specific arrangements for movements of trains and connection with boats will be made as soon as we hear from you as to the certainty of having the men ut Ashtabula at the time indicated. As eoon as your men are on the premises wo will notify the sheriff and ask that they be deputized either at once or im- mediately on an outbreak of such a character as to render such a step desirable. Yours very traly, . C. PRICK, 5 ‘To Robert A. Pinkerton, esq., New York city. ——— oe COLORED POPULATION STATISTICS. Interesting Figures From the Bulletin Just Issued by the Census Office. The census office has just issued bulletin which is devoted exclusively to the statistics of the colored population of the United States. ‘This population is classified aa persons of Afri- can descent, Chinese, Japanese and civilized Indians. The total colored population as returned un- der the census of 1890 is 7,638,360. Of this number 7,470,040 are persons of African de- scent, 107,475 are Chinese, 2,039 are Japanese and 58,806 are civilized Indians. In the District of Columbia the total number of ns of African descent is given as 75,572, and of this number 9,198 ato classified as blacks, 17,989 as mulattoes, 1,126 as quadroons ‘cotoroons. The and 721 as Chineso number 91, the Japanese 9 and the civilized Indians 25. ‘The number of of African descent Sous na aerate 1 3 in a + 180, 75,572. Second Volume of the Blue Book. ‘The second volume of the Blue Book, com- | third assistan: by Mr. John G. Ames, superintendent of documents of the Interior An examination of the number 60 em} in the Ginate bureaus, 1,846; special mail mail service, A ahve, letter carriers, ‘11,941. aerate, above ing | all Among the communications received by Tae Sram today was the following from a well- known attorney: ‘To the Editor of The Evening Star: The fundamental question here involved, in- dependently of any other question which can arise under our present bungling assessment laws, refers to the power to appoint the three assessors who have made the present assess ment. What authority is authorized to appoint the three assessors? Only two laws are involved, viz.: One, the regular assesement law of March 8, 1883, chap- ter 137, which provides that the Commissioners of the District “‘ahall, on the seeond Monday of March, 1883, or as goon thereafter as practica- ble, and every third year thereafter. divide the District sinto not éxceeeding twelve subdis- tricts, and shall subdistrict, who and the other law in@lved, which is contained in an appropropriation act, is that of March 3, 1891, chapter 546 (26 Stats, at Large, p. 1062), and in no line will you find authority for the Commissioners to appoint the three assessors, either expresely granted or fairly implied under the ordinary rules for the construction of stat- utes. The mentioned law, which contuins no express words of as to the former law for the appointment of twelve assessors, is, in pert, as follows: 2,500 “For three assistant assessors, at annum each, who shall within the calendar Year, 1892, under the direction of the assessor of the District of Columbia, make the assess- ment of real property in said District for the triennial perlod beginning with the fiscal year 1893, and perform such other duties and bave | the power and authority to do the things re- quired of the twelve assessors under the pro- visions of the act of March 8, 1888, and such other duties as may to them not inconsistent with existing law by the asses- sor in the assesement of real and personal weit e Inst quoted act gives no power, either express or implicd, to the Commissioners to appoint the three assessors, but merely pro- vides for their compensation and duties when | appointed.” if we have no duly aj inted and qualified Assessors there must, of necessity, be no valid assessment under the present condition of the law. Lex Now Lex. ‘THE AUTHORITY OF ANOTHER LAW. Speaking of the matter toa Stak reporter a Prominent member of the District bar said this afternoon that in the case of Eckloff vs. Dis- trict of Columbia, 135 U. 8. Reporte, 240, the United States Supreme Court, in afirming the judgment of the District’ Court in Gen- eral Term, held that under the act of June 11, 1878, the Commissioners of the District were “authorized to abolish any office. to consolidate two or more offices, reduce the number of employes, remove from oifice and | make appointments to any office under them authorized by law.” “So,” be remarked, “the only question is: Are these Commission- assessors ofticers under the ers authorized by law? The; — are, it seems tome. Under the act of Ms 3, 1883. the twelve assessors provided for in that act were undoubtedly ‘officers under them author- ized by law,’ and the act of March 3, 1891 viding for the present assessors gave these officers the same power and authority that the twelve asceseors possessed. Therefore it seems to me that the Commissioners clearly possessed the authority to appoint the present board of Referring to the subject Commissioner Dongiass expressed precisely the same opinion. Bro DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. THE ARLINGTON RAILWAY. There was a very brief hearing before the Senate District committee today in the investi- gation of the Washington and Arlington rail- way question. Nothing in particular was done and the same ground that was gone over yes- terday was very briefly repeated. A DAISY CHAIN HOSPITAL. The Senate yesterday agreed to the amend- ment to the sundry civil bill providing €31,000 for the purchase of a site and building a Daisy Chain Hospital for the treatment of persons snfferii m contagious and infectious dis- eases. , The araendment prescribes that the title to the property ehall vest in the United States, Mr. McMillan, who offered the amendment, We have a number of hospitals in the Dis- trict of Columbia, but we have not « where in case of persons being attacked by a contagious disease, like typhoid fever or diph- theria, they can be cared for in a proper man- ner. It is only a short time since a case of that kind occurred. A young man was taken down with diphtheria, He was taken around to the different hospitals and was not admitted for the very good reason that they were not prepared to isolate acase of that kind.- If such a case had béen taken into one of the hospitals here there is no doubt that it might have infected the other patients, We have had the need for such a building here for a long time, but there » bes bean great difficulty in getting’ ki property upon which t0 place it Property owners ob- ject to having a hospital of this kind pies upon land adjoining their property. A piece of ground has been obtained, or can be obtained, subject, of course, to the approval of the Com- missioners of the District of Columbia, for this purpose, la el LOOKING FOR HIS NIECE. A Washington Girl Who Wanted to Go on the Stage. ‘The New York papers today state that A.M. Sprague, a doorkeeper of the Executive Man- sion in Washington, has written Manager French of the Garden Theater for information of his niece, Phyllis Bent, of this city. According to Mr. Sprague’s letter Miss Bent left her home several wecks ago deter- mined to go upon the stage. She said she was going to New York and would get # position with the “Sinbad” company. Mr. Sprague said he bad heard his niece was very sick in New Yorkcity and that he was very anxious to find out where she was in order that he might see that she was given good care, Manager French, being unable to find out anything about the’ young woman, telegray Mr. Sprague that nothing was known her. Tt was afterward discovered that a you: position i y. Several days after sho made the application she returned to the theater with her eyes dit ‘and one tly hurt and said she had met with the Coleman House, Been seen of her since. prague was not at the Executive Man- sion this morning, and nothing is known of the matter there. it Nothing $1,900. ‘Testimony Given fer the Prosecution in the Lomax Shooting Case. the ce of Officer Mellen, who is on trial for shooting Chas. Loma: of the-deceased, testified that the shot at the ofticer was by George Page, who ran back into the caowd, and that his brother did not see them, On. cross-examination witness said Page stepped from the crowd and fired at the officer, 8 distance of forty feet, and made back in the crowd. Witness identified the pistol of his brother. Witness was asked if it was not understood that lifs brother did the thooting, and after ob- jectian Mr. Wilson said they were prepared to show that the statement that Page fired was an after it. Witness said that he told his mother that uncla Ralph Wormley, before he brother was shot. DR. SCHAEFFER'S EVIDENCE. This morning Dr. E. M. Schaeffer, deputy coroner, testified to the wounds—a pistol one in tharight temple, two or three bruises on thee left cheek, which may bave been made by t hillet, and one; & large one, on the lef side df the head. The ball was fo und in the left ile an inch from the wall. The bruise on the ile of the head may have been made by a knew his On, cross-examination witness gave the di- mendfons of the bruises, those on the cheek being perpendicalar. His attention was called toa hot in the door with an upward direction. He was quite certain that the pistol was fired upward. ANDREW BEVERLY. Andrew Beverly testified that he was on Wil- son street after the woman had been arrested; was attracted by her screams. She was down in the strect and George Page fired at the eae: nit not ee Chartes al ere; went to his grand- mimes heise cok ee, Sook in the alley, following the officers who were after the boys. The officer (Mellen) ran down Wilson street to the alley, passing witness. Lomax and some boys were turning in ¥. The officer fired before he got to the alley to- ward the boys, and he fired aa soon as he turned into the alley. He (Mellen) ran past Lomax’s house and turned and came back and said to Mrs. Lomax, “‘An officer has been shot,” and she said, “Please don't take my boy, he has done nothing,” and he then went tothe door and fired, the door being nearly shut. Mellen then rushed into the house, pushing it Wit- ness saw the flashes of the and saw through the window Lomax lying back ona box, and the officer clubbed him, striking him upand down the side of his head, and then came to the door and blew his whistle. Mellen struck the deceased twice. When Fry and Wormly came Mellen told them that they, could not go in. On crose-examination witness said that when Page fired he walked out of the crowd and the officers let go of the woman—Garvey going to the box and Mellen ing the cro Some testimony by him at Wie Soroner's jury was read and he denied that enid that Mellen on i ing the woman fired into the crowd. He ‘that he testi- fied that he saw the boy go into his gate or that the officer fired.a third shot before he reached Lomax’s door or that he said there was only one shot in the house. Witness was closely questioned as to where he stood and how he saw in the door and window. and he said after Mellen got through shooting he, with others, went to the window and looked in and he saw Mellen strike Lomax twice. u've lived up there four years. How many times bave you been ” “T didn't know as I came here to be tried for that,” was the reply. ‘Mr. Beverly was told by the court to answer the questions, and he, with some hesitation, said he had been arrested for disorderly con- duct, assault and contempt of court. On redirect he ssid he had been acquited, | gave personal and was sent to jail | for non-payment of fine. THOS. BIRD. Thos. Bird testified that it was between 7 and 8 o'clock when the patrol wagon came up with | Ofticer Mellen; heard him say, “I'll go backand | kill every —— one of them.” Again saw | Mellen in the door of Lomax. Witness was in the Lomax house next day and found « bullet near the foot of the bed on th» floor. —_— DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. LIQUOR LICENSES REJECTED. The applications of Patrick Carmods, 1251 Water street, and John McLaughlin, 2522 P street northwest, for liquor licenses, have been rejected. TO LAY GAS MAINS. . The Washington Gas Light Company have been granted a permit to lay gas mains on each side of L between Ist and 2d streets southeast in the parking. CAN USE THE CLAY. Permission has been granted Thomas Porter to use clay on 17th street from North Carolina avenue to B street northeast on condition that he give a $5,000 bond to indemnify the District against any damages which may result from his neglect and that he conform to the grades. * CONTRACT AWARDED. W. M. Galt & Co. have been awarded the contract for furnishing the District with meal during the prosent figcal year. MISCELLANEOUS. A number of applicants for positions on the police force were examined % mia: 5-2 eae Foul Play Alleged. Coroner Powell of Prince William county, Va., held an inquest over the body of the drowned man that was recovered near Woodbridge Sunday, as mentioned Tae Stax, and the ver- dict of the jury was that the decensed came to his déath by foul play at the hands of some per- unknown. It was if i i if th ihe 5. moran, i Hl Hit : F After Tae Stan's report closed yesterday in | Alex. Lomax, brother | night that Page fired the shot and also told his | The Commissioners Think They See a Way ing the Problem. ubmitt today ommittee of th. ' am tailroad al to K street south, along K to Ea Ordinarily, the: say, we would be the snggection that two steam roads px cach other through the same portion of the city, starting and terminating at the same re spective points, would seem to be ie and unnecessn nimple pro right to oper compensath escen in the sug; d road a conver ¢ disporition o ple in that part . suggestions are tentatively thr map shows that this com; for near the western Under such cireumst nd tad the with ing east, and thence via k «treet to Water street, and” thence to the Long lvrid his ta a ai Tect, straight way from the tunnel te " street, id thence aetlec to th west on Water street to the bridge. Th would be nearly # mile south of the tracks of Virginia av and Maryland venus na sparsely settled portion of the city avenues, where the houses are + and numerous, Why not let the in company put two tracks on K street to Water street and up Water street to the Long bridge and thus relieve the whole of Virginia and Maryland avennes from all railrand « The grade crossing at K guard gates, be compa years. The switcbing ¢ east of the tunnel f proper= ties near the bridge Inrge pepula about the avenues would be cnurely relieved o all their railroad troubles, the campany re- viking or elevat- barge company could be y over the Pennsylvania ge. We have looked at K and at Whter street to the above tentative saggestions and our thought seems feasible. There will have to bé, some day in the near future, a right to barge loaded cars from Georgetown to the roads on this side of the town and District, for it ir pretty certain that a railroad outlet for the soft coal of West Virginia will be needed by a road from that state to the District down along the river. The coal that is to go to the eastern or northeastern states would be barged acrow the city frout and taken off by the K_ street roate through the tunnel. The Ponnsylva company could save so much money by th plan necessity of depressink or © tracks where they now arc could no doubt afford fine new bridge to accom and the city’s travel and te overfiow. ‘The track from their of course, have to be extended de to K for ‘local passenger p present tracks removed tr Virginia avenues. After the removal of the pretty squire at the in avenues from th evating their that they tracks a of the (wo late im- THE PROVING GROUND ACCIDENT. A Report as to the Shot That Hit the Schooner. Gen. Flagler of the ordnance department this morning received the official report of the acci- dent at the Sandy Hook proving grounds last week, which resulted in a schooner at sea being hit with a shot fired from a gun at the proving ground. The schooner was five miles out at sen and one mile out of the line of fire. The const being clear of all vessels one shot had been fired. It ricochetted lightly over the eand,toucks ing once or twice, and pussed out across the water, finally sinking into the n. The course of the other shot is described by Capt Heath. as follows: “The second shot, the on that hit the vessel, struck — the where the shore made a siden rise and b itself toan unusual depth in the sand, out ata much greater angle with the fire than experience at the proving indicates to be possible mu ilar tir The course pursued by t ot on this any brought the shot into the The officers nt the proving ,grou even know the schooner was hit w rowed ashore. No blame can be attached to any one for the proving to this ¢ Mr. F. P. Stevens of Baltimore and Attorney Poe, ex-Congreesman Mudd sod Judges Crane Briscoe left for Daltim huis The railroad case was held sub cu: court and there will likely be a decision in about three weeks or a month, perhaps sooner, when the judges can have a conference in re- gard to the matter. There was « meeting of the county ev sioners-on Tuesday, with « fali board i ance, to bear the conclading arguments in road case of Dr. Bird and others. The order wae authorizing the new road, but there may be an nppeal; but it is thought there will will be no adverse decision. Wharton E. Lester,a young lawyer from nd uccess Marlboro" g t 1H i i [ i F i ;