The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-09-11

enCalleQ an additional expense, as l
have since been forced to keep a girl
to do homework. So it became neces-
sary to practice economy at every turn
and it was a diff cult matter TO get any
thing ahead. But we lived in hopes of
something better and never let our
faith in the Almighty desert US.
In this strain things ran on until the
latter part of so. When the fair ended
our yards were flooded with cars from
all sections of the country run in for
repairs, Strange to say in the face of
this another reduction was found neces-
sary which was followed two months
later by another, reducing my money
to 16c. per hour. | began to get fright
ened. There had bean no reduction of
rents at any time, the rent being as
high when I received but 16c, as when
I received 282. Provisions we're high
and it was not long before cases of SUI.
fering and actual want were plainly
visible. l found it necessary to draw
upon vi recent savings to add to my
earnings; otherwise I could not pro-
vide the n~ecessaries of life.
We dropped down to two rooms at a
rent of IS so. I could have rented for
$3.50, but that would have been up at
least one fight of stairs, which would
have been impossible for my wife to
have got up or down. From six rooms
down to two. From 28c. to 16c. Let
me describe our home to you at So so
per month. Two rooms 9x14-in one
a Z bed and crib for baby. In the other
a combination kitchen, dining room,
parlor, and at night bed room for hired
girl. Not very inviting quarters for
an invalid. Still it was home, and we
tried to put as good a face upon it as
possible. We were just able to live,
and that all. In the face Of impending
disaster came the climax. A notice
was posted on January LIST the shops
would be run on eight hours instead Of
ten.
could see the end coming. The cries
of suffering began to be heard more
distinct. Appeal after appeal was sent
to the offices for reduction of rent, but
to no avail.
Hunger and poverty were visible on
many a face. I looked with fear upon
the near future. Our surplus savings
were fast being exhausted, and what
was to be done when it was all gone. I
searched in vain during my unem-
ployed hours for other work, but to no
avail, and I could already see the day
at hand when even bread would be i'm
possible to purchase. Down in the
heart of Chicago the relief committees
were devising ways and means to sup
ply the starving employed in the town
of Pullman. Free bread came to Pull
man by the load.
But in spite of all sympathy the con-
dition of the workingmen grew worse.
Then came the day when I could no
longer provide for my family. A rule
of the company is to deduct all rents
and store accounts and pay the remain
der to the workman. And on the last
pay day in April, after having paid my
rent and store account, I was handed
q check for two cents. The end had
come. We could no leoger live in Pull
man. If I continued to work the money
earned would go on my next month
rent, and until that was paid I would
not be able to secure credit at the stores.
went to our foreman and explained
our condition, but to no avail. I tried
to secure a small loan on u few re-
manning articles of household goods,
but could not, and in despair I went to
the pastor of our Methodist church, the
Rev. w. III. C~arWardine, and he, in the
goodness of his heart, gave my family
temporary shelter. My friend, this is
one case in hundreds who were forced
to the wall. There are those still liv
ing in Pullman who are face to face
with starvation. Can you deny your
sympathy to these martyrs9
Oh that you C culd see wi h your OWL
eyes the suffering which [ have seen
1 could cite many cases that are heart
rending. but I do not feel at liberty
to do so.
This, then, is the result of Pullman
philanthrophy. This is the condition
of the town of Pullman, founded and
presided over by a hand supposed tc
be in friendly touch with labor. This
is the man who can endoa- universe les
donate public libr'res, crest monu
ment, but cannot provide a crust to The
starving thousands who have made