The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-24

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the simplest character NECESSARY for tha
preservation of the library contents
mere is a back room to the library with
private staircase, where workmen can
come In from their work without chang.
ing tneir dress, as they might feel com
peneo 70 DO In coming into the large and
handsome part of the library.
there is nothing ideal about the town
mere Is no one there who is not obliged to
Work as ne would in any manufacturing
village. There is never any attempt to
coudie the workmen. They all live in a
state OF independence and look to their
own mutual aid societies for relief in case
OF accident or sickness.
The healthfulness of the Town is shown
Dy the character of the children seen in
tne streets. Those who are familiar with the
pasty compilations, the dark circied ewes
ol the poor children in the crowded QUAR-
ters where workmen are generally obliged
10 i've In cities, would take great pleasure
IN stuoying the character of the children
seen In this workingman's town. l spent
several weeks in Pullman last year. and I
cont think that l saw single sickly child
during my visit. They are all sturdy,
strong, rosy and clean, and are always
well dressed.
The advantages of the school and the
ibrary are very marked. There is no part
OF the country where children of working
people have a better chance than here. it
Is from the ranks Of these children that
the company hopes to recruit its best
workmen in the future
Very few corporations could afford to
set aside such great sum as was required
1or the foundation of this village. But the
principles OF the system it seems might
serve with many smaller corporations.
With the Pullman company it has proved
good investment. 1t has been the policy
OF TINS company to always carry large
reserve. This reserve enabled the COM
pany first to construct the town in such a
way as to make its foundations solid and
It's future prosperity certain. This same
reserve enabled the corporation to keep
its workmen busy even during periods of
strlngency. Railroad corporations, like
individuals, are often short of money and
would have to cut down their orders if the
Pullman company did not stand ready
with this reserve capital to extend credit
to solvent, corporations; The care re-
CURED to keep all of this vast business
going is shown by the fact the wages paid
out will average some $500, 900 a month
1t is pleasing to know that this expert
ment has been financial success in many
ways. In the first place the model town
has paid good return upon the invest
ment in the way of rents. Second, the in
crease of the value of the real estate has
been more than enough to give great
dividend upon the investment. Adjoining
the town and between it and the neighbor-
ing ones is a broad strip of land contain
ing some $500 acres. This land, bought
originally at a valuation in the neighbor-
hood OF $500 an acre, is now worth from
81 600 to 5000 an acre. The town itself is
incorporated within the city of Chicago.
1t has a representative in the municipal
council. Its school is a part of the public
school system. The workmen are not
interfered with politically. Although Mr..
Pullman is an ardent Republican the town
often goes Democratic.
The most interesting feature. however,
is the fact that the prosperity of the place
has rarely been shattered by strikes. And
even then they have been so mild in COM
parison with outside strikes as to justify
the assumption that the cause was not
very great one. Early In the history of
the town, which was established in 1880,
there was general system of strikes in
Chicago. The workmen in many of the
mills and shops were as savage and deter
mined as were the strikers at Homestead.
In some of the mills in South Chicago
their owners did not dare to venture
among their workmen for fear of being
lynched. A general strike was ordered
all round, and this included the Pullman
works. Mr.. Pullman was then somewhat
discouraged. He had labored honestly for
the interests of his company and his work
men. He went himself among the strikers
and received the delegation. He talked TO
them for upward of an hour as one friend
would talk to another. He made no SEN
sational appeal to them. He simply dis
cussed the business principles Of the
situation. He asked them to show him
just what they hoped to gain by such a
course. They were employed by corpo-
ration which sought to deal honestly and
fairly with its employees. He called their
attention to the fact that he was originally
l. To
and that he had risen to his present posi-
ton simply by following the line OF his
duty by doing in the best possible way
what he had in hand. 1t was plain
business talk. After that there was no
further conference. The works were shut
down. for the first and last time III its
history. They were closed for nearly q
week During that time there were some
discussions and some meetings OF the
workingmen, but there were ri no time
any threats and no demonstrations were
made against the manager OF the COM
PAW Even during that whole period the
work men, who had gone out not because
of grievances of their own but IN accord
ance with the wishes of the labor leaders
in Chicago. would to man have rushed
to the protection of the property OF the
company if any one had sought TO inJure II.
There is today good business feeling
between the employees of this company
and its managers. lneTe Is now mere amy
semblance of sentiment. Mr.. Pullman Is
a frequent visitor at the works and Is con-
stantiv going through the shops, where
the workmen address him at any time II
they want anything as they would friend.
There is nothing like suhservlency or
bringing. All classes and natlonailtles are
employed here. The American-born WORK
men are the most skilful and ingenious.
The Swedes are considered perhaps the
steadisst.
There has never been any attempt upon
the part of the company TO control the
private actions of their workmen. Nearly
all of them belonged 10 unions when tie
works were first established. Some OF them
do vet. But in the main the workmen there
are not members OF any union. Ihey nave
found that there Is no necessity Tor any
combination 10 protect their interests AT
the hands of the Pullman company
The result is that the vast affairs Oh TINS
gigantic corporation move on SIMPLY anu
easily. without the remotest possibility OF
ever having any such conflict OF authority
as has occurred at Homestead. There is
nothing in the system itself whlch wouIu
preyent its being applied 10 the manage
mann of any CORPORATION IN the country:
II is possibie that Mr.. Pullman has iound
the solution of the labor question IN the
wav he manages his own men; MS
svstam has been the subject OF much cTlti-
c;sm but its unbroken success during
period of over twelve years lusllIies us
originator's plan. l. < NAA"''A
,>rs, Alliance Actor.