The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-02-21
AGREES
To WAGE AWARD
Willing to Pay What Arbiter
Decides Is Proper, Packing
Magnate Says-Dis-
CusSeS Problem.

Chicago, Feb. 19.-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 hat a number of
your employees have joined the labor
unions, are you not, Mr.. Armour
asked Attorney Walsh.
II 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.
Are you familiar with production
costs in your plants" asked Mr.. Walsh.
In a general way, but l 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.
Y would have to consult the COM
pany's books"
Have you any objection to equal
pay for men and women doing the same
lclS III oluIIlt Vi
" understand hat is dom now. If
it is not done, ] see no objection to it's
being done"
Where employees work in three
shifts of eight hours, hi. re you any OBJ
lection to giving them 90 minutes for
luncheon with pay?"
Il don't suppose | have. IL 1T was gen.
orally followed by everybody we would
not object
Can't Give Figures.
us it true that IL the wages of all
your workmen were doubled it would
increase the price of meat only SO
cent per pound?"
Il could not tell that without some
figuring"
us it not true that if you doubled the
wages paid your men in 1916 you would
still earn 6h per cent on you capita
stock?'
II could not answer h a now, but it
would be unfair to figure on a basis
of capital stock alone
Witness was asked to prepare a state
ment on the subject and to submit it
later to Judge Alschulcr. He identi-
fied the annual report for 1916 as
showing total profits of $40. 100, 900.
Mr.. Walsh e items from the an
nual reports of the company for 1914
and 1915, and Mr.. Armour said he pre-
sumed they We're correct"
Armour workmen, the testimony de
veloped, work on a 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
intendent. He did not remember iusr
when.
Wouldn't Work on Holidays.
Don't o think your employees
should be allowed their liberty on
Christmas and the Fourth of July? ?"
asked Mr.. Walsh.
Il do"
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 work.
II cannot answer that
How about Washington's birthday
Il favor letting them off on all hol-
ldays II possible. | work on most of
them myself"
DO you work Sundays or Christ
mas?"
No"
laborers? p"
Il do not. We have a welfare DEPART
ment which keeps in touch with their
home life"
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.. Armou said that wages were
fixed by Mr.. O'Hearn and his assist
ants. Mr.. Walsh asked II the Witness
thought 1t proper for one man to fix
the working hours and the amount of
work for a man without consulting
that man.
Have Right to Appeal.
The man can object if he wishes
n will be given a hearing" renlied
MIR. Armour
But is it possible to get that hear
ing" pursued the lawyer.
Il don't see why it is not" said the
witness.
Are you familiar with the report Of
the department Of labor that il reouires
81 1850 Il year to insure n proper living
to an American family?"
NO, | am not" replied Mr.. Armour.
Mr.. Walsh said that the Armour rate
falls S465 below the proper rate and
asked: You want your laborers 10
have enough To live properly, Mr.. Ar
mour?"
Naturally" the witness answered.
"And you are willing for the arbi-
| traitor to fix wages which will make
decent living possible?"
"Of course | am"
The packer was asked if he had read
President Wilson's statement that no
! workman should be required to work
more than eight hours q day. Mr..
Armour had not.
II read the newspapers religiOusly,
but may not read everything President
Wilson writes added the witness.