Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1894 — PULLMAN'S TESTIMONY. [ARTICLE]

PULLMAN'S TESTIMONY.

George M. Pullman testified before the commission investigating the strike, at Chicago, Aug. 27. His testimony shows that the company has been paying enormous dividends the past year. Commissioner Worthington, examining the witness, asked: “Let mo ask you. Mr. Pullman, whether you do not think a company that pays dividends of $2,800,C00 could not afford to share the losses pf its employes who have worked for It so long?” “The manufacturing business Is separate from the business of the sleeping car company,” Mr., Pullman replied. “I see no reason why I should take the profits of the 4,200 stockholders in the Pullman Sleeping Car Company and pay men a higher rate of wages than was paid in other parts of the country for the same work, or than was paid by other companies for the same work. Because we have been careful and accumulated a surplus I see that It Is a reason we should take the surplus nowand pay It out for exceptionally high wages.” Judge Worthington wanted to know wherein it was wrong to tako the money of the stockholders and pay higher wages when the management was ready to take contract* at a loss, or take the stockholder’s money to keep the plant going. Mr. Pullman said the execution of contracts at a loss was better for the plant than to let It lie Idle. Further examination elicited tin: fact that not one of the salaries of either Mr. Pullman, the higher officers of the company, foremen or superintendents had been reduced one cent. Mr. Pullman said it, was not (food policy to reduce the salaries of high officials, because men of their caliber were not easily replaced.