Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-20
NOT SATISFACTORY
Packer Morris ay S
Labor Unions Break
Arroonoontc


Chicago, Feb. 19.-Nelson Morris, the
26-year-old chairman of Norris &
Co, the packers, passed hours on the
witness stand in the packing house
wage arbitration today.
He said that his relations with la
Dor unions had been unsatisfactory.
largely because the unions did not
keep their agreements. He thought
s1,2SS a year, figured by Attorney
Frank =. Walsh. representing the men.
as fair budget for Il working man
with three children, was too high. He
said government inspectors prevent
speeding up as charged by the men,
and remarked that the government
limited profits to 8 per cent. Since last
September, he said. the profits OF his
company had fallen off so per cent.
Mr.. Norris promised to submit fig
ures rebutting a statement that to
double wages of packing house work
ingmen would add but 1-2 mills to
the cost Of pound Of meat.
Morris & Co, he said, employed 49,
600 men in Chicago at an average an
nual wage of SS00000
Net profits in 1916 We're s3,S00,000;
in 1917 they jumped to $5,400,0O0.
In answer to questions. he said he
thought all Morris employees were en-
titled to fair wages but that there was
a difference of opinion as to what that
meant
Mr.. Walsh asked if witness would
agree that his men receive $1.2SS
year if ii were shown that the sum
We're necessary to fair living condi-
tions.
If that amount is necessary [ say yes.
but | question the correctness of the zig
ures," replied the packer. He said that
the 1o-hour day was better adapted to the
needs of industry than the eight-hour
day.
II am willing, however, to leave that
to the arbitrator" said Mr.. Morris. THE
principal objection would | believe, be
that it would reduce the output and in
crease the price Of the product"
James G. Condor, attorney for the
packers, declared that the government
survey of the cost of keeping a family of
five. which amounts to $12SS a year, and
was used by the employees side at the
hearing. was based on the prices Of rent,
food and clothing in Washington, D. C.,
in an inquiry to fix clerks salaries. He
said it could not properly be considered
in connection with the cost of living OF
stockyards laborers in Chicago.
Victor A. Olander. secretary Of the Hi
nois Federation of labor, was recalled to
complete previous testimony. He read
number of official Ia Dor reports in support
of the eight-hour law.
On crosS-eXamination attorneys for the
packers attempted to show that less than
half of the 10 900 wage earners of the
country worked more than eight hours
day. The witness said he had no figures
on this subject.
The packers representatives indicat-
ed the operation of the eight hour day
at the stock yards would require re-
construction of practically all the
plants, which would take six months
to complete.
Attorney Condor and the witness
clashed over q suggestion that pro-
German influence Wight have caused
unrest among packing house employees.
rs it not true" asked Mr.. Condor.
that there is a well-defined impress
sion among government officials at
Washington that pro-German propa-
ganda is responsible for the labor trou-
bles in the packing plants. oil fields,
lumber camps and copper fields since
the beginning of the war?'
Yes there has been such an impress
sion,' answered the witness, land I
want to say that the manner in which
these industries treated their labor
furnished.a fertile field for this and
other propaganda. The government
realized this and began this investi-
cation of the packing industry to re-
move the causes which make these con-
ditions possible and that is what we
hope to accomplish here"
The hearing adjourned until Thurs
day morning because of death in the
family of one of the packers lawyers.