The Press., 1897-10-28
PULLMANS MISTAKEN PHILAN.
 THROPY.

MT. Pullman's model town of Pullman has been the subject of popular ridicule since the great strike of 1894, and is now almost invariably referred to by western newspapers with the use of quotation marks. And this is just reference, for the model town" is such only in name. Nevertheless, we are not to be under stood as impugning the motives of the dead millionaire in building that town. He was unquestionally actuated by an honest desire to help his fellowmen and improve the condition of the laboring people immediately about him. All the facts and figures in the world tending to prove that this model town was asplendid financial investment for Pullman and his company cannot convince us that greed was at the bottom of its construction for no man in all of his transactions is governed by selfish motives entirely, and no business man, however close and grasping he may be or appears to be, Is without generous impulses. MT. Pull man meant well in building his model town" But the sagacity that enabled him to prejudge so well the demands of the travelling public and meet the want failed him in his estimate of human nature as found in the American work ingman.
 He made the mistake, common to many Philanthropists, of supposing that what would best satisfy and help the wage classes was a system of paternalistic wardship whereby the laborer might be cared for in decent and healthful sur- roundings. To this end the land about the building works near Chicago was acquired by the company and plotted out into streets, parks and resident sections. Model tenements were built public library and meeting places for the workmen, and so on. It all seemed very fine, but the workmen appear never to have been fully satisfied. They owned nothing, save possibly 8 deposit in the savings bank duly provided for such purpose. Their dwellings belonged to the company; the streets and public places also. The con- pany lighted their houses and furnished water and paid the taxes, and deducted the rent from their wages. Their indi. vidual initiative was cut down nearly to the limit which belongs to the slave. Self-dependence, self-direction and self. assertion were given no opportunity fol cultivation, and the qualities of care, fore sight, unfit and unremitting industry naturally under the circumstances failed of nourishment. Their condition so far as effect on individual character is con
 cerned could not differ materially from that of the slave for while the slave was not at liberty tu go elsewhere for work he was guaranteed work and livelihood with his master. The Pullman workmeI were at liberty to move away(when able to), but on the other hand the company
 would not guarantee work at all times.
 These conditions of life should prove galling to the Americ an workman, and i
 is not altogether discreditable to th'
 Pullman laborers that the fine things pro
 vided for them were unsatisfying. Many
 of them, to escape the overpoweriug sense of constant wardship to the company ) would seek dwellings or tenements be yond the town. All were finally brought into the state of irritables which made
 the rebellion of 1894 possible. This Pull
 man system was one of paternalism anc not socialism. Socialism in the last an alysis is an organized ystem of self-help Paternalism is system of aid superim
 posed upon people by power above O | hnVnn6 It Q Gnirit will not resent such help as this finally Paternalism can find no natural growth il this country, whatever may be said o socialism. The poor are to be helpe'
 only by helping them to help and care fo
 themselves.-SprinaJfeI Republican.