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

.-s~TSE organ lZatl n
~ s sn 1ors a h op ssod tine
;,v more and more antagonistic to their
.mnloyers. 1t has also been observed that
these strikes seem to run in periods. One
.r.at strike is generally followed by an
ether and 30 close is the union now be-
tueen all classes of workmen that strike
IN .ny one state is eagerly watched and
supported by the labor leaders throughout
the country.
These conflicts cost great sums of money
and often result, as in Homestead, in
serious loss of life. Many solutions have
hen offered for the settlement of such dis
mites Arbitration has often been sug-
rested. But up to the present time there
i no authority high enough to create
lizards of arbitration which would be
recognized. It is possible that the matter
win be taken up at Washington City with
the view of establishing government
commission for the settlement of labor
disputes. 1t would be an experiment
worth trying. Would it not be better if
such disputes could be avoided altogether
There is most valuable lesson to be
learned in the study of the affairs of the
Pullman palace car corporation. It's
management never has any serious trouble
With its employees. There are few corpo-
Yations in the world which employ so
many men. There is no corporation in
the world which has had less trouble than
has this company with the people en-
poyed by it. This is not the result of
mere chance, but the outcome Of a system.
Itis therefore, system worth studying,
in view Of the many possible disputes be-
tween labor and capital which may follow
the contest at Homestead. The Pullman
company employs in its works at Pullman,
ILL.,, on an average during the whole year
over six thousand men. In addition to
this brigade Of workmen the Pullman COM
pany employs with its cars upon the
various railroads throughout the country
and in its administration offices 5000 more
people. 1t has in all 1900 employees.
Taking the average of the families to be
three, this would make some &c, 600 people
who are dependent upon the Pullman
system for subsistence.
1t is with the 5000 workmen of Pullman
that the most satisfactory results in the
way OF regulating labor have been at
tanned In the other branches of the SER
vice there is not the same possibility for
strikes and for labor disputes. In the
shops at Pullman there is employed a
great variety of workmen. Besides max
ing Its own palace cars, the company
manufactures all kinds of railroad cars,
and has one of the largest shops for manu-
featuring street cars in the country. Some
thing OF the magnitude of the work is
shown. first. in the number of men en-
pioyed, and, second. in the enormous out
put OF the shops. In the freight car de-
partment one entire train of cars, forty in
number, is manufactured every day. Two
palace cars week, which involve the
most skilled forms of woodwork, carving,
painting and decoration, are made, while
the vast iron works are constantly going
70 Ill the orders of all the great railroad
corporations of the country which patron
We TINS company. 1t is important to show
the extent, character and variety of the
WORK OF this company, for the reason that
Xmas no disputes with its employees of a
serious character and has had no strike of
any Importance since the great general
"fKe IN Chicago following the establish
ment OF the works at Pullman in 1880.
In the town OF Pullman and in the
WORKS there are between $1,000. 600 and
E'V0uo invested. The capital of the
uiiash company is now $50, 100000 1t
nas reserve of twenty odd millions. 1t
Is one OF the few corporations of the coun-
Wy mat has no great bonded indebtedness.
az STOCK Is quoted above 1870, and is chiefly
MI &c 4
speculative stock. Neither is this stock
me property of few rich people. 1t is
ueu ny many small holders whose prin-
aapa, Income is dependent upon the divi-
aenus OF THIS stock. The stock pays II
r ~, IeH'. upon Its par value. 1t has been
Pulenased by trustees OF estates, so that
very large hold ings of the stock represent
. .,'nsp OF widows and orphans. The
h." 'A INA, mas never been unduly watered, and
to represented good investment
~ sS holders. This from the standpoint
capitalist. The laborers at Pullman
u PAID the best current wages. The
!. saose pay OF the workmen in the works
Sua year. The pay ranges from 81. rs
De ior uhskilled laburers to 81 and IS
Dur lor the work OF specialists, such as
n,osa, earyers and the like. The
g.sperlty OF the workmen is also shown
, - sae TACT that in the local savings banks
CWO.OOO '''' 'o" reaching nearly
a." sh also To call attention to the fact
shs mere Is no assumption anywhere in
h riagement OF this company that it
49, s!ihg the role OF n philanthropist to-
"a M i1s employees. The whole system is
cs~.ss one. 1t Was established by
oomSa NJ huffman. the president of the
~ my Mr.. Pullman has proceeded
a. r sne theory that contented, we'll cared
co,,a. amen VIII do better work than dis
ths, au' uncared for men. EVERYTHING
Eer,sII mas done for his men has been pro-
nr;n~ upon basis of sound commercial
fni,pes. When he planned the town of
s,h ah ne had ii laid out in accordance
the s se!ehtiac and sanitary principles. In
g;n a sst place, he began with bit of viz
1nanie and established before putting
nsie building a magnificent and
lo.aa "a system of sewerage. Then fol-
And S he roads. Then came the shops
sn;sa1uses. They were all built upon a
i,ect "a system OF architecture. The arch
ter,s' -, M; beman, Is one of the best archi-
prac,;a.t,he West. His good taste and
10 the aeiiltleS as designer have given
pears, own thoroughly harmonious APP
havs se houses are the best that workmen
fsva,aSes mad. They were built under
10 To- conditions and so can be rented
the, 80 os Aihen at a cheaper rent than
Or ,ens, vuaa oe required to pay in the alleys
~ Ch:isht houses of the poorer quarters
tsljst And YET the rent pays the capi-
een. ~ tue form Of the company q per
ho,s. return upon his investment. and 50
mar heFests are well served. The work
.s hds model bNns.- cl.an ,r.u huiI,