The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-22
.PULLMAN'S STARVING POOR.
Gov. AltgGld Sends a Sharp Letter TO
the Car Millionaire.

Chicago, Aug. 2l.-Oficers of the
American Railway Union and local labor
leaders are much pleased with the
methods of the national strike commits
sion 50 far, Several of them expressed
themselves as satisfied that both sides of
the question will receive a fair and i'm
partial hearing.
The first witness put upon the stand
this morning was Michael j. Carroll, edi-
tor of the Eight Hours Herald. Mr.. Car
rol believed government ownership of
railroads the true solution of the labor
problem. He cited the situation in Aus
trialia, where the government owns the
telegraph lines, as proof that his ideas
were practicab BILE.
Malcolm Mcdowell, a reporter 70
morning paper, testified next. He had
seen cars overturned and other overt acts,
but could not say whether the work had
been done by members of the American
Railway Union or not. He did not believe
many railroad men were engaged in these
acts.
Thomas w. Heathcote, chairman of the
Pullman strike committee, was recalled.
He declared the Pullman employees had
no other alternative but to strike.
Rev. w. H. Wickman, the Swedish min
lister at Pullman, told of the reduction
of his Pensioners wages. He said the
Swedish laborers at Pullman were made
to pay more rent at Pullman than at
ROseland or other places in the neigh bor-
hood.
why, then" asked chairman Wright,
"do the men not live iu ROseland or vi
cinityF" "Ihey are commanded TO live
in Pullman, on pain of dismissal. Even
where men own homes outside of Pullman
if work becomes slack, these men are the
first laid OFF,
Mr.. Wickman told of the case of an en-
ploYe who was injured in the Pullman
shops and obliged to stay in the hospital
for nine weeks. During this time the
company charged him rent for his house
in Pullman, refused 10 pay him any dam
ages, and cut his wages when he returned
from the hospital, because his injuries
prevented his doing as much work as
formerly.
H. H. Cleveland a reporter for morn
ing paper, gave his experience during the
strike. He had seen rioting in several
places, but thought those engaged in
overt acts were rOughs and rowdies, and
that few or none of them were railroad
men. Mr.. Cleveland joined with the Two
reporters who preceded him in scoring the
United States deputy marshals.
Herman E. Dutton gave his observa-
LlOLlS dS d IepCEl6E LOT Two morning pa
pers at different times during the strike.
He had seen but few railroad men en-
gagged in rioting.
Other reporters gave similar view
and testimony at the afternoon session.
Gov. Altgeld this morning sent a letter
to George NJ. Pullman, in which he out
lined the desperate condition of affairs
among the strikers at Pullman, and invi-
ted Mr.. Pullman to call on him and de-
NTie 8 -1lf f.F 81
families in his town. AS vet the COVER
nor has received no. reply from MIR. Pull
man. The Pullman relief committee was
Informed by the governor that immediate
need was the only remedy for the dis
tress. while | can say that relief will
be at hand at once. said he, Il can not at
present define what shall be done to af-
ford substantial help. There are
three ways of securing the assistance
which must be had at once. There is the
governors fund, which will not permit of
any considerable draft, and there is also
a possibility of convening the Legislature
for the purpose of making an appropria-
ton, but that plan would take too long,
then the way is open for me to issue a
proclamation to the people of the state,
asking them to make charitable contribu-
tions"
1t is thought the governor will make a
proclama lion referred to.
ALTGELD's APPEAL.
After making a thorough investigation
of the Conditionsexistinga among the ex- en-
ployes of the Pullman company who par
ticipated in the recent boycott and strike
Gov. Altgeld o-night issued the follow
ing relief appeal
To the People of the State OF Illinois and
Especially Those Of the City of Chicago:
4 here is great distress growing out Of the
want OF food in and around the town OF ouU.
man. More than 1000 families, or in the
neighborhOod OF 5000 people are utterly des.
titute. Nearly four tifths Of them are women
and children The men have endeavored
do so. have made a personal
examination Of the case and learn from the
officers OF the Pullman company that prior to
the strike they had $500 names on the pay
roll Yesterday they had 2,22O people at
work, but over 100 OF these are new men, so
that they have only 900 OF their old employees
at work, leaving about 1860 that nave not
been taken back several hundred Of these
have left, but the remainder are unable
to 20 away and have nothing TO eat ] find
that Immediately after the beginning OF the
strike a relief association was formed TO pro.
vide for the needy and the books of the as
soclation show that 2,4S3 applications were
made by the Pullman employees, mostly heads
of families to this association for aid In
fact, nearly all the employees, except the few
hundred who left have been supported by
charity for nearly three months.
AS a rule they are superior class OF labor.
ing people, Industrious. capable and steady.
and some Of them have worked for the Pull.
man company for more than ten years Those
who have been given work can get food but
are still In such an impoverished condition
that they cannot help their neighbors il they
would. The relief society is una.
BILE to get more supplies. On last
Saturday itgave to each family two pounds
OF oatmeal and two pounds Of cornmeal and
having nothing left, IL suspended operations
leaving the peopein an absolutely helpless
condition. The county commissioners OF Cook
county, as overseers OF the Door. have ren.
dered some assistance but owing to limited
appropriations, they can furnish relief for
short time only.
We cannot now stop to inquire the cause OF
this distress. The good people OF this state
cannot allow women and children by the hun
dred 10 perish by hunger J, therefore, call
upon all humane and charitably disposed citi.
Zens to contribute what they can toward Civ.
ing relief to these people. 1 am satisfied that
any contributions sent to the Pullman reiet
committee al kensngton will be judiciously
/ md their treasurer has given
bond 10 properly account for all moneys re.
ceiyed JOHN y. ALrGELD.
Governor.
The governor also sent communication
To the commissioners Of Cook county an.