The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-19
Vieus on Various Topics
moral results attained by. this marvel
Gus system of religious suggestion:
-HarloW Gale.
AGAINST LARGE SALARIES
Major Pickler, of South Dakota, Says
They Are Form of Graft.

AAASS 11AS o' = 0NA~A - 5~,r-. -
To the Editor of The Journal.
. In your issue Of the 18th instant ap-
pears the portrait of Elbert II. Gary,
denominated ''Head Of the Directors Of
the Billion-Dollar Steel Trust, = and a
New York interview with Mr.. Gary, In
which he seeks to defend the salaries
of from 100000 to $l50,000 for the
heads of the big corporations OF the
country. ...... ,
It would seem that such salaries are
sorely in need Of defense. There is no
doubt but that the temptation to ac-
quire these outrageously large salaries,
in the mad rush for wealth in this last
quarter of a century, has been one of
the greatest incentives to form these
great combinations and trusts. = 80 s'
1t is unQuestionably one of the most
insidious and deceptive forms Of graft
that exist. Ever and anon one of these
100000 captains gets himself inter
viewed in defense of these enormous
salaries. Their attempted defense is
sophistry and humbug. -*.#..
Can't Earn 100000. 7.S
No man lives who comese in gunshot
| ly another fern of politely robbing the
stockholders Of the corporations or com
bination which these large salaried Off
! cials represent. No man earns in any
capacity more than $4,000 annually.
1t is very doubtful if he does that.
Whencver any person receives as high
as 1000 year it is out of proportion
at large are earning. When he re-
celves such an amount he is depriving
some one, yes many, often, of the legi-
innate fruits of their labor. He is
filching what belongs to other people.
He is wronging some toiler by brain or
Drawn, and is wrongfully appropriating
the results Of the labor of this toiler:
is wrongfully deprived by these high
salaried magnates.
MIR. Gary's Defense.
Mr.. Gary, uses the old cut and dried
reason, that the great responsibility and
great amount of money and capital con
trolled .iustifes these salaries be-
: cause men of ability and in
tegrity are demanded. It is true thai
more honest than the man with less
salary9 Is it true that because mar
with some ability by means of influence
and manipulation has been able to have
himself voted dishonesty large salary
by board Of directors, whom he il
some way proceeds to repay for tht
favor, IS man of greater honesty ans
IhUCSl1CS Illdu WuCu uc Was receiving
modest salary in a subordinate posi-
tion in the same corporations Men =
honesty is not measured by dollars o.
salary. ''~' ..-..-.~- -
This great integrity argument was ;
few months since used in favor of tn
president Of First National bank O
milwaukee,, and Of the same officer il
,, high salaries and supposed great intep
rlty did not render them immune fronn
doubtful and dishonest use OF otne
people 8 money
Not Consistent
If employees of great corporation
are to be paid in proportion to thei
:. responsibility, why do not the subordi
nate officers IN great corporations
,, firemen and brakemen of>the railways
: for nstance--receive salaries commen
surate with the responsibility of thei
: respective positions? Does the railroa
|. president, with his 'prince1y salary, oc
cupy: more responsible position thai
? the conductor or engineer Of his trains
) If to be at the head Of a busines
l that pays out large amounts Of none,
: requires large salary for that heac
as argued by Mr.. Gary, how have tn
| secretaries and treasurers Of the Unite
. States, and state and county treasurer
e of the country, made such magnifcen
: records, receiving only their modes
e salaries?
r Other Peoples Money.
t Is it not remarkable that these grea
salaries are never received except i
G some great corporation or trust, wher
;, other peoples money is being uset
stockholders money, who really hay
: no control over the men who vote thel
, selves these great salaries? 02N'<-
;, / Furthermore, the heads Of differen
u departments Of these corporations ofte
y occupy more responsible and trying pt
e sitions than does the president or heat
Il Il but they receive no such salaries.
q These exorbitant salaries are onl
e another phase of the prevailing graf
y of the times. Major j. A. Pickler.
y Faulkton, S. D., Nov. 18, 1905.