The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-16
Starts Nee Big Ftlss
Deer Pullman Ora Fl

CHICAGO, Jan. 15.-Subpoenas
are being served upon witnesses
who will be heard here the latter
part of tie month in the matter
of the Pr an company.
The trouble started when Geo.
s. Lotus of the St. Paul Shippers
association filed complaint with
the Interstate commerce commits
sion against the sleeping car
trust"
The formal complaint is not
very exciting, but it appears to be
the opening wedge which will
burst open a real sensation.
Lotus specifically demands
that the sleeping car rate between
Chicago and st. Paul of 81 for
either an upper or lower berth
be reduced to $3.50 for a lower
and 75 CENTS FOR AN UPPER.
Such a reduction, however,
would force a reduction all over
the country, and, more than that,
would establish the rule that the
company cannot charge the same
rate for an upper as for lower.
But, already, it appears THAT
the hearing will go far beyond
mere dollars and cents, and take
up the question of public health.
1t may be shown that the mod
ern sleeper is a PESTHOUSE ON
WHEELS and that the PERIL
FROM CONTAGION AND DIS
EASE is 10 TIMES GREATER
THAN THE DANGER FROM
WRECKS.
Lotus claims that he will be
able to prove that the blankets In
sleeping car are not cleaned or
disinfected oftener than once in
nine months. 1t will be argued
that these cars are used by thous-
ands of sufferers from tuberculo-
sis, who are fleeing to Colorado,
Arizona, New Mexico and other
places.
1t will be shown that a sleep
ing car, which runs into these
states these months may be in
service in New England or Oregon
next month.
Tests have shown that tuber-
culosis germs live more than a
year so that the contagion has ev-
cry opportunity to spread by
means of the carpets, curtains,
blankets and plush upholstering
Of the sleeping cars.
LOTUS says that the compressed
air cleaning system is a hollow
pretense and that the cars ma.
well be incubators not only for
tuberculosis, but for every other
form of contagious disease.
Among other things constitut-
ing the offenses of this alleged
trust, Mr.. Lotus charges the fol-
lowing:
"The Pullman company is in
collision with railroad companies
to maintain monopoly so that
travellers, including invalids, week
and aged persons, cripples, women
and children, must either pay ex-
tortionate prices for the privilege
of sleeping in possibly disease-in.
fected berths or sleep at night in
coach seats. The railroads owr
a large part of the Pullman stock
Sleeping car magnates successful
ly prevent the passage of any
laws that my interfere with their
powers of monopoly and extortion
They are protected in legislatures
and on the highest bench
Of the judiciary by powerful
friends who owe their political ex-
istence to the trust"
The Pullman company, witt
friends in state legislatures, con.
gress and courts. arrogantly de
MES the right of state or nation Il
inquire into its affairs.
A poor carpenter invented the
sleeping car idea. He died, pool
and unknown. George M. Pull
man took the idea up. He inter.
ested Marshall Field, and wher
these men died they had mad
millions and millions out o.
"sleepers.
All the new money ever invest
ed was the first 100000. Thi
grew and the profits were rein
vested in equipment SO that If
1867 the 100000 represented
100000. Then the Pullman
was Incorporated and in
80 years its capital stock wa
$36,000,000, upon which divi
dends of from 8 to 20 per cent
we're paid. In '98 each stockhold
er got back $40 per share extra
In '99 the dividends had grown
so that they were no longer mad,
public, but the property of tho
Is now valued at ovel
$150,000,O00 and, in all, owe.
$100,000,0O0 has been distributed
In dividends-all this on the orig
inal 100000.
The cars cost $4,000 each and
one pays for itself in two years.
The cars have a life OF about 10
years and then are worth about
$4,000 crap value.
Last year the company took in
over $32,000,000 and carried over
half million lawmakers, judges,
railroad friends and other dead
heads" free.
ma n r n IN mn