Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-18

it is not done l see 10 objection to
it's being DONE" :.
Where employees work in three
shifts 81 eight hours have you any
objection to giving them 20 minutes
for luncheon, with pay?"
II don't suppose l have. II it was
followed by everybody we would not
object" :
as it true that if the wages of all
your workmen were doubled it would
increase the price of meat only sixty
five ONE, hundredths Of a cent a
pound ~;
II couldn't tell that without some
figuring, i
"Is i not true that if you doubled
the wages paid your men in 1916 you
would still earn 6 1-2 per cent on
your capital stock?" 4
VI could not answer that now, but
1t would be unfair to figure m a basis
of capital stock alone"
The witness was asked to prepare a
statement on the subject and to sub
init it later to Judge Alschuler. He
identified the 10 reports for 1916 as
his showing total profits of $50, 1oO.-
900. Mr.. Walsh. read items from the
10 reports of the company for 1914
and 1915 and Mr.. Armour said he
presumed they were correct"
Armour workmen, the testimony
DEVELOPED. work on a basis Of
the .10-hour day and are paid by the
hourly rate. Witness said the subject
Of S-hour day had been presented
to him by Mr.. O'Hearn; he didn't re.
member just when.
should be allowed their liberty on
Christmas and the Fourth of July?'
asked, MI. Walsh.
II do"
DO you think double pay would
be too much for work on Sunday or
holidays?"
II cannot answer that"
How about Washington's firth
day?"
II favor letting them off on all
holidays If possible. l work on most
OF them, myself" 1T
d o work Sundays and Christ
|~..las?"r
NO"
DO you ever visit the homes Of
your laborersE
Il do not. We have a welfare de-
partment which keeps in touch with
their home life" g.
You realize that any system which
does not allow a proper livelihood is
dangerous to your company and to
the country?"
Yes; it could not last"
Mr.. Armour said hat wages were
fixed by Mr.. O'Hearn and his assis-
tants. Mr.. Walsh asked if it was
proper for one man to fix the work.
ing hours and the amount of work
for a man without consulting that
man. n!
The man a object if he wishes
and will be given a hearing replied
Mr.. Armour.
But is it possible to get that hear
ing?" pursued the. lawyer. y
I don't see why it is not" said the
witness.
Are you familiar with the report
of the department Of labor that it re-
quires $3.50 q year to insure a prop
er living to an American family?"
NO; I am not replied Mr.. Ar
mour.
Mr.. Walsh said that the Armour
rate falls $465 below the proper rate
and asked:
You want your laborers to have
enough to- live properly, Mr.. Ar
Naturally the witness answered.
"And you are willing for the ar
bitrator to fix wages which will make
decent living possible? :"
of course l am"
The packer was asked if he had
read President Wilson's statement
S'1@s AZ WIZ ! olAOuiu oS TcQulEcU
to work more than eight hours a day.
Mr.. Armou had not.
Il read the newspapers religiously,,
but ! may no read everything that
President Wilson writes" added the
witness.
Mr.. Armour said his mind was al
ways open to progressive suggestions,
but he did not think working ten
hours. in itself. would undermine
mems health or shorten life. He said
the eight hour question was always a
debatable one. He said he was ia
miliar with the details of the progress
of the eight hour movement.
II know h a a very small portion
Of the country's workmcn work eight
hours" said Mr.. Armour.
D the packers own the Chicago
stockyards?" -.
They do not"
"Is it not true that ownership OF
the ~stockyards is controlled by bonds
held in trust by a Mr.. Peguin Of Bos-
TONI
1T is not true"
Mrs. Richard johnson and daugh-
ter, Nellie. visited here yesterday en-
route to their home in Larimore from
Minneapolis. where they had accom-
! panied Orrin Johnson. Mr. ..1ohneOp