The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-18
ARMOUR TELLS
OF WAGES PAID
BY THE PACKERS
Chicago Plant Now EN-
ploys Between $4,000
and 5000 Workers
FAvORs EQUAL PAY
FOR WOMEN WORKERS
Willing for Arbitrator to
Fix Scale Making De
cent Living Possible
(Bv Associated Press-N

| (By Associated Press.)
| Chicago, Feb. Isl. Ogden
Armour, president Of Armour g. Co.
took the witness stand here today IN
the packing house wage investiga-
ton by Judge AlschUler.
Mr.. Armour was questioned by
Frank p. Walsh, attorney for the en-
ployes who are seeking higher
wages.
You are aware that a number of
your employees have Joined the labor
unions, are you not. Mr.. Armour" ?
asked Attorney Walsh.
! I believe they have, replied the
| packer. He added in answer to other
| questions that he was familiar with
! the demands Of the men and the
nature Of the arbitration.
He said between 5000 and 10000
are working at the Chicago plant at
| present.
Are you familiar with production
costs in your plants? asked Mr..
Walsh.
In a general way, but could not
| give you exact figures off hand, Mr.
Armour answered.
Can You say what your total pay
roll is and the percentage OF labor
cost to total production cost? asked
the labor attorney.
i would have to consult the COM
pany's books"
+ Have you any objection to equal
pay for men and women doing the
same class and volume Of work?
I understand that is done now.
II 1t is not done see no objection to
its being done.
Where employees work in three
shifts of hours have you any OBJ
lection to giving them 20 minutes for
luncheon, with pay?
Il don't suppose / have. If 1t was
generally followed by everybody we
would not object.
1T is true that If the wages OF all
your wOrkmen were doubled it would
increase the price Of meat only sixty
five one-hundredths Of q cent a
pound?
Il couldn't tell that without some
figuring.
rs it not true that If you doubled
the wages paid your men in 1915 you
would still earn 612 per cent on your
capital stock?
Il could not answer that now, but
it would be unfair to figure on a
basis Of capital stock alone.
Identifies Report.
The witness was asked to prepare
subject
submit it later to Judge AIschuler.
He identified the annual report for
1916 as showing total profits of $50
100000. Mr.. Walsh read items from
the annual reports. Of the company
for 1914 and 1915 and Mr.. Armour
said he presumed they were cor
rect.
Armour woTkmen, the testimony
developed, work on a basis Of the 10
hour day and are paid by the hourly
rate. Witness said the subject Of
the hour day had been presented
to him by Mr.. O'Hearne; he couldn't
remember just when.
Don't you think your employees
should be allowed their liberty on
Christmas and the Fourth Of July? |
asked Mr.. Walsh.
DO you think double pay would |
be too much for work on Sunday or |
holidays?
Il cannot answer that.
How about Washington's birth
day?
Il favor letting them of on all
holidays If possible. work on most |
Of them, myself.
DO you work Sundays and Christ
mas?
mo.
do you ever visit the homes Of
your laborers"?
Il do not. We have a welfare de-
partment which keeps in touch with
their home life.
You realize that any system which
does not allow proper livelihood is
dangerous to your company and to
The country?
ives. AZ could MT 1avtr
Mr.. Armour said that wages were
liked by Mr.. 0'Hearne and his assist
ants. Mr.. Walsh asked if witness
thought it proper for one man to fix
he working hours and the amount
If work for a man without consult
ng that man.
Has Right To Object.
''The man can object If he wishes
md will be given a hearing, replied
Mr.. Armour.
But is it possible to get that hear
ng?" pursued the lawyer.
I don't see why it is not" said
he witness.
Are you familiar with the report
If the department Of labor that il re-
iuires $3.50 a year to insure a prop
r living to an American family?
mo. am not, replied Mr..
Armour.
Mr. Walsh said that the Armour
ate falls S465 below the proper rate
nd asked:
You want your laborers to have
nough to live properly, Mr..
Armour?
Naturally, witness answered.
And you are willing for the arbi-
rator to fix wages which will make
ecent living possible?
''Of course am"
The packer was asked If he had
cad President Wilson's statement
hat no workman should be required
D work more than hours a day. NJ.
.rmour had not.
I read the newspapers religiously,
ut l may not read everything that
resident Wilson writes, added the
illness.