Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-14
CAEROLL ID. WRIGHT,
John D. HERMAN. NJ L. woRTHINGToy.


of the "a roads directly represented in the
General Managers association was s., l0S,
5J26l7 The number of employees was
1897 The commission explains that
the association was incorporated in 1886 and
that it was supposed to act in the interests
of the railroads terminating in Chicago.
It's roads fixed up a Chicago scale for
switchmen governing all the lines at Chi
cago. The association claimed that the
wages paid tile men were ample. This
led to a long controversy between the men
and the managers.
The association was used as an equal
izcr." During 1893 it became the policy
of the general managers to assist" each
road in times of difficulty with men over
the matter of wages. According to the
commission, it is admitted that these acts
of the association had great weight with
outside lines and thus helped to establish
uniform scale of wages throughout the
country.
The commission questions whether any
legal authority can be found to justify
some OF tho features of the association.
The association is cited as an illustration
of the persistent and shrewdly devised
plan of corporations to overreach their
limitations and use Indirectly powers and
rights not contemplated in their charters.
An extension of this association and the
proposed legalization of pooling" would
result in an aggregation of power and cap
ital dangerous to the people and their lib
critics, as well as to employees and their
rights. The question would arise, Who
shall control, the government or the rail
roads? and the end will
Evidently he Government Ownership.
Unless ready for that, the government
must restrain corporations within the law
and prevent them from forming unlawful
and dangerous combinations. AT least so
long as railroads are thus permitted to
combine to fix wages, it would be rank
Injustice to deny the right of all labor to
unite for II similar purpose.
1t is noted that the railroads set an ex-
ample of combining. and that previous to
the operation of the General Managers
association general union of railroad
employees was never attempted. The re
fusal of the General Managers association
81 recognize and deal with such II combi-
nation seems arrogant and absurd when
its standing under the law and its past
and future action are contemplated.
The report then enters into the subject
of the Pullman Palace Car company and
the town Of Pullman. The paternalism
is of the company, as it operates through
out the place is commented upon rather
unfavorably. When the depression of 1898
came, according to the commission, there
ought to have been mutual concessions.
But concessions were not made. On the
one hand was wealthy corporation refus-
ing to yield and on the other workncn of
character and skill, but without local at
tachment for the place.
Economically considered, the Pullman
management could not afford to shut
down the plant, because of the loss due to
rust and the possible invasion of the field
by competitors. Those in authority pre-
ferred to cut the wages, insisting at the
same time upon
A Maintenance of Rents.
Consequently some men received for the
work done IN two weeks only cents 1ter
their rents We're paid.
The claim of the company that work
men need not live in the town is disputed
Inv the commission. The fear of losing
work kept the men at Pullman, since the
.ompany from business reasons would
naturally hire the men who rented build
ings owned by the concern.
The reductions in 1893 We're made by the
managers. and the men knew nothing OF
the changes until the fiat had been issued
Inv those In authority. Reduction was car
red TO excess, but the claim of the men
WINS scarcely more tenable than the claim
of the management, the men insisting
that their wages should be kept up to the
standard of wages paid during prosperous
times.
The strike occurred May Ii. From this
time until July 3 there were no nets of
disorder in the town. The conduct of the
mon is pronounced dignifled, manly and
conservative. Though starvation stared
them in the face, they behaved in man
ner worthy of American citizens.
The report next takes up the great rail
road strike proper. 1t says that the read-
ness to strike alphabetically was pro
,noted by the disturbed and apprehensive
condition of the railway employees. result
ing from wage reductions on different
lines, blacklisting, etc, and from the
growth OF the General Managers associa-
lion, which seemed to the men
To BE Menace.
The report says that it is seriously ques-
toned, and with much force, whether the
courts have jurisdiction to enjoin citizens
from sspersuading'' each other In matters OF
industrial or common interests. Sun IL Is
generally recognized that the mandates OF
. court should be obeyed until notii Cd or
corrected by the court which has issued
the orders.
The policy of the Pullman company anu
the Railway Managers association IN re-
fusing to arbitrate closed the doors to Gil
attempts at Cancellation and settlement OF
differences The commission is impressed
by the belief that the reversal Of this pohcy
would have prevented the loss oflife ana
property.
The report declares that the arrival of
troops at Chicago was opportune, and says
me policemen sympathized with the
men rather than the corporations Nor
Mouid AZ Dc surprising to find the same
ssnsinents rife among the militia. The
swearing in Of 5000 United States deputy