The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-07-13

tho car shops at Pullman were in a
| most prosperous condition: work was
plenty. wages were high. and the con-
dition OF the employees was indica ed
by the fact that the local savings bank
had OF savings deposits nearly 100 OOO
of which nearly all was the property of
the employees.
Our piy-rools for that year show nm
average earning of over 500 per annum
for every person. man. woman or youth,
on the roll. Then came the great mani,
and depression OF last summer.
Many customers stopped negotiations
and cancelled orders, and our WORKING
force had to be diminished from nearly
G.~J to about 200 in November 1891
The great business depression existing
throughout the country had naturally
resulted In wage depression. and the
only hope OF getting orders was by bid
ding for work at prices as low or lower
than could be made by other shops. and
this. of course. neccssitated reduction
In the wages OF the employees at Pull.
man.
This was arranged satisfactorily. as |
supposed. and In close competitions, dis.
regarding all account OF capital and ma
chinery. secured enough rk to grad
uhl!y Increase our force to 400, the mum.
Der on the rolls last April
Nine weeks ago the car shops at Pull
man were working with car-buildiny
contracts enough ON hand to keep them
going for about sixty days. and with
Ill business forecasts leading to the he
ief that no considerable new orders
'ould soon be had.
The most important of the work IN
hand had been taken by me m connect.
ion at prices which were less than III.
actual cost TO The company Of deliver
ing the cars, without reckoning for tn
'se of capital and plant.
This work was taken to keen tn
large force Of men employed and I,
postpone, and with the hope OF ayoidin,
the numberiess embarrassments to al
classes OF people at Pullman and Il,
vicinity of closing down OF the work
to prevent which the company con
'iiered II wise policy to operate III
shops temporarily at an actual loss.
IN thus condition OF things came III
Citation seeking to create labor OF
SANITATION embracing all railway en-
II is my belief that the cOntrovers
'Ncited at Pullman was merely NOV
! the created scheme. these shops beia,
sleCted not on account Of discomfort IL
hem. but because ol their prominen,
n various ways, and because OF III
nance Of show OF justification FOR
Imultangous and causclvSs attack upo
he railways of the company, for til
Sc under longtime contracts, by thret
ourths Of them OF the Pullman sleeI
ng car system, a branch Of the com
,any'S business totally distinct from
- manufacturing Of cars FOR sale
In the early part % May c1mmlt;r
( the employees demanded a rest ratio.
the wages o "a year ago, eNplalnr
, this committee muuteiy and laaoi
.LSy the facts showlns tina; the com
any was alre4iy PAYING them nor.
aln It was receiving Tor their contra,
work. and ! Jc-re3 them f1r cOmpet
.,surance. an! 10 END all question. =.
Inspection Of our books and contracts II
4anl.
This, and the beginning at once q
Pullman OF promised careful tnvestlxa
ton Of number Of shop complaint
eemed to end all trouble. but da
,ater. under the excitement OF their /,
sru!ting into the new organiza ton u.