The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-13
cHsAPER TO HAVE RuS.

The Pullman company could hardly
shut down for seven and q half months
at cost and loss OF less than / per cent
on its capital and surplus. To continue
running was for its obvious advantage
so long as II could get along with its
labor. The men at Pullman claim that
the company during 1894 set the pace
through experts. 80 that with their
forced loss OF time an average man could
earn little more than the rent OF his
home, owned by the company. The
company alleges that 1t simply read.
justed pIece work prices to suit tho me-
cessities Of the times.
Some witnesses swear that at times,
for the work done in two weeks, they
received in checks from four cents to 81
over and above their rent. The com.
pany has not produced its checks in re.
butial.
During all OF this reduction and its
attendant sulferings none OF the salar-
les Of the officers, managers or superin-
tendents were reduced. Reductions in
these would not have been 30 severely
felt, would have shown good faith, would
have relieved the harshness OF the
situation, and would have evinced gen.
uine sympathy with labor in tho disas-
ters OF the times.
KEPT RUNNING FOR ITS OWN BENEFIT.
In It's statements to the public, which
are in evidence, the company repre-
sents that its object in all it did, was to
continue operations for the benefit Of
its workmen and OF the trades people
in and about Pullman and to save the
public from the annoyance Of inter.
rupted travel. The commission thinks
that the evidence shows that it sought
to keep running mainly for its own
benefit as manufacturer, that its plant
might not rust that it's competitors
might not invade its territory, that 1t
might keep Its cars in repair,
that 1t might be ready for re-
sumption when business revived
with a live plant and competent
help, and that its revenue from
its tenements might continue. II we
exclude the aesthetic and sanitary
features at Pullman the rents there are
from 20 to 25 per cent higher than rents
in Chicago or surrounding towns for
similar accommodations. The 9sthe-
tic features are admired by visitors.
but have little money value to ON.
ployes, especially when they lack bread.
The company makes all repairs, and
heretofore has not compelled tenants
to pay for them. Uuder the printed
leases, however, which tenants must
sign, they agree to pay for ''all repairs"
which are neither necessary Ordinary
wear aud damages by the elements not
excepted) or which the company
Chooses" to make.
While reducing wages the company
made no reduction in rents. Its posi-
ton Is that tho two matters are distinct,
and that none OF the reasons urged as
Qualifying wage reduction by 1t as an
employer can be considered by the
company as landlord.
suREwD COLLECTION SCHEME.
Prior to the so-called truck" law in
Illinois, rent was deducted from wages.
Since then check has been given for
the amount OF the rent and another for
the balance duo for wages. There is
nothing to prevent the paYee OF tho
check from cashing it outside OF tho
bank. but as the bank Is rent collector
it presses for the rent, and is aided in
collecting it by knowledge on the part
of tho tenant that by arrears he may
lose his job.
The reductions at Pullman after Sep
pember, 1898, were the result OF con-
ierences among the managers; the en-
ployes for the first time knew OF them
when they took effect. The company
based its entire contention as to every
department upon the facts in reference
to car building to which We have al
luded, and offered to show its books
and figures at the cost and selling
prices OF cara. This offer, on account
OF the strike intervening, was not acted
upon. Had it been, it would have re-
sulted in the figures as to car building
contracts. The purpose OF the manage.
ment was obviously to rest the whole
matter upon cost, ETC., in Its whole seri-
ously crippled department, excluding
from consideration the facts as to wages
in the repair department
The demand Of the employees for the
wages Of June, 1893, was clearly uuius-
tifiable. The business in May, '94,
could not pay the wages Of June, '93.
Reduction was carried to excess, but
the company was hardly more at fault
therein than were the employees in in
sisting upon the wages OF June, '0S.
There was little discussion as to rents,
tho company maintaining that its rents
had nothing to do with Its wages and
that its revenue from its tenements was
no greater than it ought to receive.
A RENT REDUCTION REASONABLE.
The company had legal right to take
this position, but, as between man and
man, the domand foe some ront reduc-
ton was fair and reasonable under all
the circumstances.
The strike occurred on May II, and
from that time until the soldiers went
to Pullman, about July 4, 800 strikors
were placed about the company's prop.
erty, professedly to guard it from de-
struction or interference. This guard
ing OF property in strikes is, as rule, q
mere pretense. Too often the real OBJ
iect OF guards is to prevent newcomers
from taking strikers' places by per-
suason, often to be followed, II in
ctIectual, by intimidation and violence.
The Pullman company claims this was
the roal object OF these guards. Tho
strikers at Pullman are entitled to the
belief to tho contrary in this matter,
because OF thoir conduct and forbear-
aace after May II. 1t is in evidence
and uncontradicted that no violence or
destruction OF property by strikers or
sympathizers took place at Pullman,
and that until July3 no extraordinary
protection was had from the police or
military against oven anticipated dis.
order.
CovarpVATIvE CoNDUrT