The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-21
FROM THE INSIDE AT PULLMAN.
Statement of the COmpany's Affairs
Made by an EX-EmpIOye.

W. A Lincoln, in Springfield Republican.
So many CRITICISMS of the Pullman
company have appeared of late from per-
sons who are not we'll informed in the
matter that / venture to give a little testi-
mony from actual facts and experience.
From 1880 10 1856 / occupied an official po-
sition in the Pullman company which gave
me an excellent opportunity to learn the
inside facts of their business, as | had I'M
der my supervision the books and accounts
of the town of Pullman as we'll the
savings bank there located. 1 also resided
ton of the present difficulty, which
from well-informed parties on the ground
who are not in any way connected with
close touch with the workmen, is that a
majority of the men did not want to make
the present strike, but that they were
forced into it by labor agitators and the la
Dor unions; that they heartily sick of
1t and would have gone back to work long
ago If they had been allowed by their lead
The Pullman company has employed
shops Since last November than it needed
for its own work. 1t did this by taking
tain loss. even at the reduced wages which
the men agreed 10 accept; and did this
branch of its business wholly Oily distinct from
carbuilding. Stockholders who entitled
to these profits might crtticise Mr.. Pull,
man for doing this. but he felt moral
had gathered together at Pullman. and he
took this just and fair way Of doing, it.
The men have broken faith by demanding
increased wages while these contracts
were yet unfinished and none others were
in sight. the height of folly on their part.
Most of the work of car building at Pull
man is done by piece work. and the amount
and '' industry. In a large body of men
under this. system there are always a
number of lazy or inefficient men who COM
plain because they did not earn much
as they would like, and these are the ones
who generally stir up trouble.
1 believe the Pullman company has al
ways paid the men at Pullman liberal
wages. 1 know the savings of those who
had the habit of saving ran up very fast,
and of the entire number of employees, more
than one-half of the number had, before
this strike began, accounts in the savings
bank at Pullman which averaged over $3.50
to each account. And when ii is considered
that this class of depostors change resi-
with them, and that there is no invest
ment money, so-called, among the deposits
to swell the average. / think it is evidence
that they not quite starving. In the
last fiscal year, which closed August 1885,
the average amount paid tt every man,
woman and child employed at Pullman for
the year was $6l3: the year previous ii was
$500 The time was there l think it was
about $3.50, showing that wages have been
increasing there OF late years, and l think
this average will compare favorably with
any OF the factories mills around here
The cost of living at Pullman is less than
in Springfield; provisions of all kinds
cheaper. clothing as cheap, .and rents-about
which SO much has been said-are about 81 %
per room per month. Suites in fiat or
apartment buildings of two, three four
rooms, range from s. to $3.50 per month,
and single or separate houses of six to eight
rooms are rented at $l2 to SIS per month.
| than the same space can be rented in the
| poorest quarters of Chicago, and when it
| is considered that these houses are sub
stantial brick dwellings with modern inn
provements, having water. gas, perfect
sewerage. absolutely clean streets. adorned
and ashes being daily removed by the e. com com
pany, with ample Fairgrounds for the chill
| dren and athletic grounds for the older
| boys and men, with fine schools in their
| midst a public library Of ten thousand
volumes, reading rooms and other places
| saloons or other degrading infiuences--it
| would seem though it would be an ideal
| place for workingman 10 bring up
| family.
| Mr.. Pullman's main idea in creating this
| place and its surroundings as he has done
| was that these advantages would be app.e-
| clated and attract a better class of work
| men from whom the company would derive
better results. He. has believed that all
| any increased cost their part: that is
| that ordinary rents ntelligently and prop
| yield a return on the capital employed
| which would be satisfactory. Thus far the
return on the capital invested has been
| less than per cent year. and he could
| not have made the experiment on the scale
he has if the company did not have profits
ness rtea' separate from car building,
with which to satisfy its stockholders,
| VINO are some ten thousand In number and
| scattered all over the country. The work.
| men are not compelled 10 occupy the COM
! pany houses: in fact. Cne-half of them do
| not. they prefer To live outside at "A dis
| lance, where they are not deprived OF their
| liberties which. so far as | know, con-
| sst in living where they be as disor-
| derby they choose. keep a COW or pigs in
! the back yard and chickens in the cellar
| which things are forbidden on the Pullman
| territory. The company does not obiige its
tenants TO burn gas; they can use kerosene
| or tallow candles If they choose. Water
they have to take from the company. as
| there is TO other source. but this Is not a
| source of profit to the company beyond sim
| ple interest on the capital Invested in fact
| they claim now that they are furnishing IL
/ at a considerable loss.
Mr. Pullmans mistake seems TO be in
| thinking that his workmen want this i'm
| proved style of living, and yet this is the
| utopian idea. towards which our social re-
| formers are striving TO lead us. where the
/ city or state IS To own and manage our af-
| fairs so much better than We a. individuals
! can do