The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-08-29

dark to his future plans for their re-
lief. A committee from the board OF
county commissioners visited Pullman to-
day and Investigated the condition of the
families with view to voting money for
their relief.
George NJ. Pullman fatty refused 10 be
interviewed regarding Governor Altgeld's
visit and declared he would not discuss
the strike in any Of its phases.
CHICAGO. Aug. 23.-General Manager
e. ST. John of the Rock Island road was
called before the strike commissioners
today. Mr.. st. John had prepared his
tory OF the strike as it affected his road,
and read TO the commissioners a detailed
account of the troubles. When he had
finished he was asked if his company
blacklisted men. Not in the sense that
the word is generally understood" said
he. when a man is discharged from
our division we send a statement to our
other divisions that he may not be re-
employed, but no such statement is sent
TO other roads unless it is requested"
can you show us copy Of your con-
tract with the Pullman company"
asked Commissioner Herman.
can show TO you a contract If you
will regard 1t as a private matter. l do
not wish to have il published in the
newspapers"
st, John was asked if the contract COM
PEELED the company TO haul Pullmans
on all passenger trains.
No" was the answer I'VE can haul
Pullmans on any trains we choose. and
need not haul them unless we wish
Then you were not compelled To haul
Pullmans during the strike"
NO, we were not"
Mr.. st. John was asked as to the num-
Der of strikers that had been taken back
by his company.
Most of the men," he said, quit work
hint Of no 81
ers. only seventy-four have been taken
back"
The witness said that their relations
TO labor unions were regulated by the
number Of men on their lines belonging
TO the uEions. when a union has so
per cent. or more of our men," he said,
I'VE. as a general thing, treat with its
representatives. We had no dealings
with the A. r. L., as il had less than
five hundred of our employees"
Did your road cut wages last spring,
or this summer" asked Commissioner
mo, sir. We cut our force. but not
wages"
Has your road advanced wages with
in the last ten years."
Yes. we have frequently made indi-
vidual advances, but no general increase
that l remember Of"
How much did the strike cost the
Rock Island?"
Il cannot give exact figures without
reference to data. but 1 should say that
strike cost our road between 100000 and
81, 900, COO"
Mr. St. John emphaticany denied the
statement that United States marShals
used during the riots were controlled by
the railroads. We asked for protection,
and furnished many of our employees who
were sworn in as deputy marshals. But
after being sworn in we had nothing
IN Il "a wit WEI
manded and controlled, / suppose. by the
United States marshal"
The witness said that many Of the
rioters who overturned and burned cars
were strikers. He knew this to be a
fact he said, because many of them were
recognized by the Rock Island employees
Who witnessed the lawlessness. The
commissioners questioned Mr.. st. John
very closely regarding the control Of the
deputy United States marshals. as the
statement had been made by Chief d sp-
uty DOnnelly that the railroad com
panies took charge of the forces during
the riots.
In the afternoon Mr. st John gave
history Of the formation Of the general
managers association, which he denied
had is inception from any desire 20 re-
duce the wages Of the men. He said fur
Their: The schedule of wages we have
compiled seems 10 have been misundcr-
stood. 1t is tabuiation of railroad
wages all over the country. 1t was inn
possible to have anything Ike equality
for the same class Of service without
some such tabula ion. Il had nothing %
do with an intended reduction of wages
and was not followed by reductions. Two
or three southern lines found they were
paying wages considerably in excess of
wages paid by their competitors and nat
uraiy reduced them to an equality.
Il do not say that there will be a re-
md tel, 81
schedule tax. The Rock Island has 50
fer made its economies in the reduction
of force and the shortening of working
hours. / fear very much. however, that
unless a change comes in the situation
something VIII have to be done. L speak
OF the company's financial affairs with
the greatest reluctance in public. but its
earnings have suffered a decrease of
$500 900 in three months. and some
method will have to be devised of chang
ing that result. Some of the companies
have had their earnings decrease at the
rate of 100000 a month"
Mr.. st. John. in answer To question
said the story that Gen. Niles had
called at association headquarters was
positively absurd.
Questioned as to the best remedy for
strikes. he said he had no suggestions to
make, although ne had given the matter
much thought. That a way would event
ually be found he firmly believed, but he
could not form an idea now as to what
that wav will he. Mr. Herman asked the
witness If he did not believe a system Of
government license applied TO railroad
employees would be a good thing. Mr.. St
John said he thought the plan had merit
IF It could be kept out of politics. The
government might establish the system
on some of its subsidized roads and try
it. Mr.. st. John will be on the stand
again tomorrow morning.
HUGE GEYSER BURSTS FORTH.