Little Falls weekly transcript., 1894-07-06
a SHA M 3 u NJ ASKED J.

Il SH UNlMEI ASKED
a MODEL TOWN AND EXEMPLARY
Lord FOUND TO Be FRAUDS.
The FeudaI System Transp1anted to IIlinois
and Nurtured Under the Cloak Of Philan-
thropy--A Man Who Buys Titles and
starves His Employees.
Especial Correspond
Ia the Anthrop olog1cal building at
jackson park last summer there was on
exhibition a model Of q model town.
There were, in miniature. white streets,
convenient market buildings, graceful
theaters, neat churches, exemplary
schoolhouses, rows Of green trees, plots
of soft grass, straight lines Of cottages.
containing all the modern improve
ments'' Of a town which is more or
less known in all parts Of the world. It
attracted the attention Of thousands OF
visitors as illustrating the possibilities
in the way of a perfect workingman's
town. III =.#@ >-5..1zs... 5. ..
At various periods also the leading
magazines Of the country have printed
elaborate articles on the same town,
with excellent illustrations and full
description Of the plans and workings
Of the enterprise. Many people entering
Chicago from that direction, riding
through the well laid out village, have
admired its beauty and applauded its
founder. This great man, who has been
.heralded throughout the world as a
philanthropist and a ,benefactor Of his
race, is George M. Pullman, and the
town, named after him, is Pullman.
" A few people have always understood
the true inwardness of this apparent
philanthropic scheme. But today the
roof is being removed from the pretty
eleemosynary enterprise and an inclosed
bit Of old feudalist slavery opened to
the gaze of the world, as despotic and
oppressive as any that ever existed.
Pullman is a wise man. He did not pose
as philanthropist, but simply disdain-
ed to refuse the soft mantle when 9TH
ers threw it around him. He knew how
to roll up money faster, to get greater
results out Of working men in less time
and for less expenditure, than any other
man that ever tried it., That was all.
The town of Pullman is very pretty
to look at. The streets are smooth and
clean, the public buildings are of the
best architectural order and placed
where they are most convenient to the
resident streets around them, the COT
tages are neat and conveniently arrang-
ed, and there is plenty Of good light and
air. The citizens have every appear
ance Of actually enjoying the benefits
Of civilization as we'll as their employ
ers. IF people could live, toll and keep
we'll on light, air and architectural
beauty, this might be a happy village.
But, alas! it's actual condition is far
from happy.
The Pullman company owns every
inch Of the place, streets, parks, halls,
theater, churches, homes and all. Not: a
spot Of land is for sale or could be
bought at any price. W hen. 1t was first
laid out, workingmen from all parts Of
the country were induced to come to it
by promise of high wages and homes
in as beautiful a place as common la
borers should expect to enjoy. The first
thing each man had to do on entering the
employ of the company was to sign pa
per called an application Sheet but
which was in reality "cutthroat'' lease
"a bond Of slavery secured by threat
of starvation and homelessness. He was
then given the choice Of houses at rates
that would startle him even in the cen
ter of Chicago-for instance, three
small rooms for $14, besides so cents a
month for the use Of a faucet which
three other families used and paid for,
and gas at the same exorbitant rate.
The wages out of which these expenses
must be paid have never amounted to
So day to any actual laborer, as was
in the first place promised. A fine steel
toolmaker used to receive So. SO day.
His wages have been slashed little by
little until during the past year he has
receives no more than $1.85 day
$40 month Less than $27 had to feed,
clothe and educare family for month.
Hardworking men require an abun-
dance Of nourishing food, but one can
imagine whether these had it, with fam
lilies Of five and six on their hands. It
is an actual fact that for the last two
years the dinner pals of these skilled,
hardworking men have not contained
sufficient food to keep the pangs of hun
ger from tormenting them all day long
as they toiled. Their children have not
been able to remain in school for want
Of books and clothing. Their cottages
are bare Of furniture. Many and many
a stove in the sitting rooms Of these
homes remained black and cold all last
winter, while never a light glowed from
the front windows to brighten the streets
of the .'model town. = Many and many
child and feeble old father. or mother
shivered through the dreary winter
months for want Of sufficient warm
clothing and fires at the very time the
head Of the household was toiling with
all his wonderful skill and strength for
their support. This is true Of the better
paid dWorkmen- those who aspired to
b live rncroofo h1u urd Ecnn,-u o1 tho ;;S7ne ~