The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-14
A STATEMENT BIZ PULLMAN.
Says the Dispute with Ills Employees IL
Not nnn for Arbitration.

Not One for Arbitration.
New YoRE, July 13.-George NJ. Pull
man tonight issued the following state-
ment to the public:
There is hardly anything new to be-
said as TO the position of the Pullman
company. but l have seen many indica-
tions of the facility with which my ex.
pressions aud those authorized by mo
have become distorted aud thus misiead-
ing 10 the public, and of an entire forget
ting of my earnest efforts TO prevent tho
strike. that perhaps 1t is we'll that should
again make public assurance that
the deplorable events OF the last
few weeks have not been caused
by the Pullman company taking
an obstinate stand in a debatable matter
and refusing TO listen to reason. The
leaders of disorder have not hesitated to
harass the public by all means in their
power, because. they say, the Pullman
company would not submit 10 arbitration,
and now that the disorder seems 10 be-
quelled they are reinforced ia their claims
for arbitration by some prominent news
papers, but. so far as | know, by few, IL
any, business men OF the country. Why
is the demand concealed under the inno-
Gently sounding word 'arbtration'f A
little more than year ago the shops at
Pullman were in a prosperous condition.
Work was plenty. wages were high, and
the condition OF the employees was
savings bank had savings deposited
in 1t OF $4,000. OF which nearly
All was the property Of the employees.
Our payrolis for that year show an aver
age earning of over 5000 per annum for
every person. man. woman or youth, on
the roll. Then came the panic and de-
preston last summer. Many customers
stopped negotiations and cancelled orders,
and our working force had 20 be reduced
from nearly 500 to 200 in November.
1893 The great business depression
existing throughout the country had
naturally resulted IN a wage depression,
and the only hope OF getting orders
was by bidding for work at prices as
low or lower than could be made
by other shops, and this, of course,
necessitated reduction in tho
wages Of the employees at Pullman. This
was arranged, as | supposed, and tn close
competition. disregarding all account OF
capital and machinery. secured enough
work 10 gradually increase our force TO
800 the number on the roll last April.
Nine weeks ago the ear shops were work
ing al car building contracts, and had
enough 70 keep them going FOR sixty days.
The most important Of the work on hand
had been taken by me in competition At
prices which were less than the actual
cost TO the company Of delivering. with
out any reckoning for the use Of capital
aud plant The work was taken TO keep
the large force OF tnen employed.
''In this condition OF things came the
agitation TO create n labor organization
embracing all railway employees. and APP
parentIy other industries, Ia the carly
part OF May committee Of the employees
demanded Il restoration Of the wages Of .
year ago | explained that the company
vas unable TO pay them a. present, and
offered them, tor complete assurance aud
10 end ali question, an inspection Of our
books and contracts IN hand. This
and the beginning at once AZ Pullman
Of n promised careful investigation
of Il number Of shop complaints seemed to
end all the trouble. but day later, under
the excitement Of their recruiting into the
new organization. the workmen closed
shops and have deprived themselves aud
comrades oi earnings Of more Than zoo, 900
up 10 this time. Iha demand made before
/ qssitting work vas that the wages should
be restored 10 the scale OF last year, or, IN
elect that tie actual outgoing money
losses should be Increased 10 an amount
equal to 0ne-fourth OF the wages Of the
employees.
III must be clear 70 every business man
/ and 70 every thinking workman that no
prudent employer could submit 10 arbltrs.
ton VI tie question whether re should
commit such piece 81 business folly.
! H0& eouid as pressdent 81 tae Pullman
company. consent - aggee With any body
Of men NOS coueerued with the interests
of the eompanys shareh9. aaES, that,
should afbitrat0rs for any reasons seem
ing good 20 them 80 decree, ! should open
the shops. employ woFkIgea al wages
greater inan their work could hs settled
tor and continue this ruinOus policy ln-
definitely or pe accused ~ breach OF
falth Who Rlli deny THAI such = qass-
gsof is plsiuiy not subJect of arbstranonf ?
- be public should not permit the real
question which has been before IL 10 Ds
ctscared. EgBas - 81 ihs possibility of
the creations and duration oi Dictator
snip Which could maze al the lBdustrtes
oi ths Unlted states ard the daily e0n-
fart of millions dependent upon the tsaaltc
SHIN os such dlctNtar. Any suDnlls-
sion ~ hln xoGld hsYs been g0og sIsp