Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1894-09-21

dorse Mr.: Pullman for his humanity in
taking contracts at loss to keep his
men at work. The Chicago press simply
bewilders the person who wishes to
know the truth. If I were living in
Chicago and read only certain papers, l
should be apt to be severe in my con-
demnation Of the wicked Pullman strik-
ers and heartily indorse the Pullman
company, but since live in Pullman
and have for the last two years made a
careful study Of the situation there I am
able to read between the lines of these
assertions that Mr.. Pullman makes and
am able to see the fallacies that they
contain.
II hold Mr.. Pullman responsible for
the whole situation by virtue of his
position in the company. He is the
king, the autocrat, and he must answer
for the full measure of capacity that be-
longs to him. Perhaps he did not know
the true state of affairs at Pullman.
There is great power invested in the
general managers hands and in the To-
cal officials. They have the right to en-
ploy and discharge over 5000 men.
With this power in their hands they
should be free from favoritism, tyranny
and unfairness. Yet tyranny, unfair
ness and favoritism did exist.
I'm Mr.. Pullman s statement he says
that a little over a year ago there was
deposited in the Pullman bank over
$500, 900, which belonged to the en-
ployees, and now it has nearly all been
withdrawn. Now, is this statement
true? Did the employees deposit it all?
We must bear in mind that many of the
high officials of the company, store
keepers, treasurers of. lodges and others
deposited money in the bank. One man
had $4,000 on deposit; another who
had recently sold his farm had So, 900,
the proceeds of the sale. If all such
amounts are counted as deposits of en-
ployees, it is easy to make such state
ment. But these employees were in debt
to the extent of $4,000 for rent, and
why? Why, when they went to the bank
didn't they use the money to pay rent
instead Of going into debt? Simply be-
cause they were compelled to use the
rent money to support their families.
''Mr. Pullman further asserts that
the average earnings of every man, wo-
man and child in the Pullman COM
pany's employ in 1898 were over 5000.
What was included in this estimate of
average earnings? The salaries of heads
Of departments of the clerical force and
foremen and others. Included in the
earnings Of 1898 is the immense amount
Of money paid for overtime. The win
ter Of 1893 was one of the most pros
porous in the history of the Pullman
company. A gentleman who has reason
to know said that it was one Of the best
years Of the company. It was just be-
fore the Worlds fair, when cars which
were used during that period were built.
For weeks at time I only saw men
who were members Of my church on the
Sabbath day, all their other time being
put in working overtime These wages
are included in Pullman's statement.
Il is unfair to include the salaries Of all
officials in estimating the average earn
ings Of the employees.
4xA1s = UA4Au04 AOXOA4C1 says b44<1t u6
took certain contracts at loss in order
70 keep his shops open, and behind this
impregnable position he intrenches him
sell, while the public asks how i II
that these men want the wages of 1893
when contracts are taken at 8 loss. We
admit that the Pullman company lost
425 : oar On that Long Island car con-
tract; hut mind you, the great bulk 81
tha work done u the Pullman ahope
was repair work the repairing q Old
carr, reffn furnishing them and such. IL
least 60 per cent m the work done II
the shops Is the time q the strike was
of that nature It was his own work,
yet his employees were cut 331 pen
cent 10 par cent and ii some cases 80
per cent for work done ii repairing
these cark Not only that, but great
deal g work was dome g the exp 8