The herald., 1894-11-13
sympathy with the laborer in the dis
aeters of the times.

asters OF the times.
FALSE PRETENsEs.
''In its statements to the public. whicl
are in evidence. the company repre-
sents that it's objects in all it did was t
continue operations for the benefit o
its wor kingmen and trades people in ant
about Pullman and to save public from
annoyance of interrupted travel. Th'
commission thinks the evidence chow
that it sought to keep running mainly
for its own benefit as manufacturer
that its plant might not .ust; that 1T
competitors might not invade Its ter
ritory; that it might keep its cars il
repair; that it might be ready for re-
sumption when business revived, with
a live plant and competent help, anc
that it's revenue from it's tenementl
might continue.
EXToRTIoNATE RATES.
"Ii we exclude the esthetic and sani
tary features at Pullman, the rents there
are from 20 to 25 per cent higher thar
rents in Chicago or surrounding towns
for similar accommodations. The es-
thetic features are admired by visitors
but have little money value to employ
ees, especially when they lack bread
The company makes all repairs, and
heretofore has not compelled tenants to
pay for them. Under the printed
leases, however, which tenants must
sign, they agree to pay for all repairs
which are necessary Ordinary wear and
damsgee by the elements not excepted)
or which the company chooses to make.
"The company's claim that the work.
men need not hire its tenements, and
can live elsewhere ii they choose, is not
entirely tenabe. Ths fear OF losing
work keeps them in Pullman as long as
there are tenemznts unocoupied. be-
cause the company ia supposed, as q
matter OF business, to give preference to
its tenants when work is slack. While
reducing wages, the company made no
reduction in rents. Its position is that
the two matters are distinct, and that
none of the reasons urged as justifying
wage reduction by it as an employer,
can be considered by the company as q
landlord. The company claims it ia
simply legitimate business to use its
position and resources to hire in the
labor market as cheaply as possible, and
at the same time to keep up rents re-
gardlees of what wages are paid TO its
tenants or what similar tenants rent for
elsewhere; to avail itself to the full ex-
tent OF business depression and COM
petition in reduction OF wages and to
disregard those same conditions as to
rents. No valid reason is assigned for
this position, except simply that the
company had the power and the legal
right to do it.
''Prior to the so-callsd truck law in
Illinois, rent was deducted from the
wages. Since then a check is given for
this amount of the rent and another for
the balance due for wages. There is
nothing to prevent the payee of the
check from csshing il outside OF the
bank, bat as the bank is rent collector,
it presses for the rent and ia aided in
collecting by knowledge on the part OF
the tenant that by arrears he may lose
his position.
THE WAGE CONTROVERSY.
"The reductions at Pullman after Sep.
tenber L, 1898, were the result of cou-
ferences among the managers, the en-
ployees for the first time knew of them
when they took effect. The company
based its entire contention as to every
department, upon the facts in reference
to car building, to which we neve
alluded, and offered TO show its books
and figures as to the cost and selling
price of cars. This offer. on account of
the strike intervening, was not acted
upon. Had it been, it would have re-
suited IN the figures as to car building
contracts being known. The purpose OF
the management was obviously to rest
the whole matter upon cost, etc., in its
mort seriously crippled department, ex-
Guiding from q consideration the facts
as to wages in the repair department.
"The demand of the employees for
the wages of June, 1898, was clearly
unjuetitiable. The business in May,
1894, could not pay the wages OF June,
1898. Reduction was carried to excess,
but the company was hardly more at
fault therein than were the employees
insisting upon the wages of June, 1898.
There was little discussion as to
rents, the company maintaining that the
rents had nothing to do with the wages,
and revenue from tenants was no great
er than it ought to receive.
"The company had legal right to
take this position, but as between man
and man the demand for some rent re-
duciion was fair and reasonable, under
the circumstances. Some slight con-
cessions in this regard would probably
have sverted the strike, provided the
promise not to discharge men who
served ON the committee had been more
strictly regarded.
THE STRIKERS CoMPLTIENTED.
"The strike occurred on May 11th and
from that time until the soldiers went
to Pullman, about July 4th, 300 strikers
were placed about the company proper
ty professedly to guard it from destruc-
tion or interference. This guarding Of
property in strikes, aa rule, is a mere
pretense. Too often the real object OF
guards is to prevent newcomers from
taking the strikers PLACES. The Pull
man company claims this was the real
object OF these guards. The strikers at
Pullman are entitled to be believed to
the contrary in this matter, because OF
their conduct and iorbearance after May
llth. 1t ia in evidence and uncontra-
doted that no violence or destruction OF
property by strikers or sympathizers
took place at Pullman. and until July
Ord no extraordinary protection was had
from the police or military against even
anticipated disorder. Such dignided,
manly and conservative conduct in the
midst of excitement and threatened
starvation, is worthy of the highest
type OF American citizenship, and with
like evidence In all other directions,
will result in due time in lawful and Or
derly redress Of labor wrongs. To deny
this, ia to forswear patriotism and to
declare this government and its people
a failure"
THE cTpIUF ppnpRp