The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-02-21

OUSSCS i0OiCIfl.
Chicago, Feb. 1s.-J. Ogden Armour,
president of Armour & Co.. took the
witness stand here today in the packing
house wage investigation by Judge
Alschuler.
Mr.. Armour was questioned by Frank
p. Walsh, attorney for the employees
who. are seeking higher wages.
You are aware that number of
your employees have Joined the labor
unions, are you not, Mr.. Armour?'
asked s-Attorney~Walsh
Il believe they have" replied the
packer. He addedsin answer to other
questions that he was familiar with the
demands of the men and the nature OF
the arbitration.
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.
Il 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?'
9 l understand that is done now. If
it is not done, I see no objection to its
being DONE"
Where employees work in three
shifts of eight hours, ha,' re you any OBJ
lection to giving them 20 minutes for
luncheon with pay?"
Il don't suppose / have. If it was gem
orally followed by everybody we would
not object
Can't Give Figures.
rs it true that if the wages of all
your workmen were doubled it would
increase the price of meat only SIS
cent per pound?''
Il could not tell that without some
figuring"
rs it not true that if you doubled the
| wages paid your men in 1916 you would
still earn 61a per cent on your capital
stocll?'
II could not answer that now, but it
would be unfair to figure on a basis
of capital stock alone
Witness was asked to prepare state
ment on the subject and to submit it
| later to Judge Alschuler. He identi-
| fled the annual report for 1916 as
showing total profits of $20,100,000.
Mr.. Walsh read items from the an
| nual reports of the company for 1914
and 1915, and Mr.. Armour said he pre-
| sumed they were correct"
Armour Workmen, the testimony de-
| veloped, work on basis of the 10
| hour day and are paid by the hourly
rate. Witness said the schedule of the
! eight-hour day had been presented to
him by John O'Hearn. general super
| When
Wouldn't Work on Holidays.
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 holidays?"
Il cannot answer that"
DO you think that double pay would
be too much for Sunday worl?" M
cannot answer that"
How about Washington's birthday
favor letting them off on all hol-
! them myself
DO you work Sundays or Christ
mas?"
NO
do YOU ever visit the homes of your
I laborers ?'
/ II do not. We have a welfare depart
ment which keeps in touch with thei,
| home life"
You realize that any system which
does not allow proper livelihood is
dangerous to your company and to the
1 country?"
Z IL.
| MIR. Armour said that wages were
I fixed by Mr.. O'Hearn and his assist
ants. Mr.. Walsh asked IL the witness
thought 1T proper for one man to fis
the working hours and the amount OF
work Tor man without consulting
! that man.
i Have Right to Appeal.
1 The man can object if he wishe.
4 and will be given a hearing replied
i Mr.. Armour
I But is it possible to get that hear
ing! pursued the lawyer.
- don't see why it is not said tn,
II witness.
i Are you familiar with the report q
the department. of labor that it require
] $3.50 a year to insure proper Twin.
4 to an American family?'
No, | am not" replied Mr.. Armour.
Mr. Walsh said that the Armour rat
falls Sass below the proper rate ant
asked: You want your laborers Il
lhave enough to live properly Mr.. Ar
mour?"
Naturally" the witness answered.
And you are willing for the arbi
traitor to fix wages which will max
a decent living possible?"
4 "Of course l am"
u The packer was asked if he had rea,
President Wilson's statement that nj
!, workman should be required to worl
a more than eight hours a day. MI
4 Armour had not.
!. Il read the newspapers religiously
but may not read everything Presiden
y Wilson writes added the witness.
III
!. -ElSFNMAN HAS QUIT.
II Washington d. c., Feb. 1S.4-Corre
J spondence with the war department
l II 1T a..