Evening journal., 1894-08-28

We're being underhid by other companies
even where we had figured the work down
to cost | finally put in bids below cost
rather than to have the men idle. Up TO
the time Of the strike we had lost more
than $50, 600 in pursuit OF this policy.
explained this personally to the men when
they were holding their conferences with
Mr.. Mickes.
nIr. WieIges Would Tell.
Here Mr.. Herman Interrupted to ask
II the company had not promised to dis
charge none Of tho committee that waited
on Miokes and whether the promise had
been kept Mr. Pullman said he did not
know, but Mr.. Wickes would tell Mr.
Herman then asked, Were the books
shown to the men7n
No, they were not because tho men
did not apply to see them, and the strike
came Friday.
There were old grievances, were there
notfp
''There were, but Mr.. Wickes and Mr.
Brown had promised the men to take them
up and remedy them wherever there was
just cause for complaint. 2
Judge Worthington asked, "As to this
reported declaration of yours that you
had nothing to arbitrate, were you cor
rccily geportcds"
Il have already explained my views on
that subject.
'tNowrMr Pullman, said Commission
or Worthington, taking the whole year
through, has the Pullman company made
or lost money!
1T has made money, was the answer.
You have paid your regular diyi-
dendsy"
Yes sir--s per cent. j"
"Phat is something like so, 500, 600 you
have paid out in dividends FOR the year,
Yes, but that includes tho latter pari
Of the World 5 fair season which was ex
ceptional
Let me ask you, Mr. Pullman, whethel
you do not thirk a company that pays div
idends of 81, 500, 600 could not afford &
share the losses Of its employees who hav,
worked for it so longs
The manufacturing business IS sepa
rate from the sleeping car business. SCI
no reason why ! should take the profits d
the 1900 stockholders in the Pullman
Sleeping Car company and pay men
higher rate Of wages than was paid il
other parts Of the country for the SAM
work OF than was paid by other oompanio
for the same work. Because we have beef
careful aRd accumulated q surplus d
not see that il Is a reason we should tax
the surplus now and pay It out for excep
tionallF high wages.
Has the Pullman company durlng th
years Of its prosperity ever advanced tn
wages Of its employees Voluntarily"
Never Advanced Wages.
II do not know as to that. 1t has al
ways sought to pay fair wages, and tn
fact that we have never had but one strik
is pretty good evidence that the men hay
been satisfied y
what do you see that IS obiectionabl
in submitting a difference like this to al
bitrationg"
There are some matters that are prop
er subjects for arbitration, but ! canno
arbitrate on a question where l know tn
facts to be thus and So The question a
to whether our shops should continue Z
run at loss is thing that could not b
arbitrated
"Why was it impossibles"
Because it violates the principle that
man has a right to manage his own busi
ness.
Suppose that arbitrators were to sa
to you: We SEQ you arc losing money, bu
these men have been with you a lon
while. You can afford to share their losses
We think that you should at least pa
them a living wage. What would you sa
to thats'
MY point Mt the time was 10 wor