Freedom is never given; it is won.
-A. Philip Randolph
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Monday April 5, 1915
Chicago, Illinois-Walsh Commission to Probe Wages of Pullman Conductors & Porters
Frank P Walsh, Chairman
Commission on Industrial Relations
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The Commission on Industrial Relations, is now conducting a probe into the wages and working conditions of the employes of the Pullman Sleeping Car Co.. The probe will be conducted under the keen questioning of Chairman Frank P. Walsh, "the two-fistedest Irishman that ever hit Kansas City."
Appearing before the Commission today, at the Hotel Sherman, is L. S. Hungerford, general manager of Pullman Company. Hellraisers will report further on this testimony in tomorrow's edition.
Also expected to testify is R. W. Bell, secretary of the Federation of Pullman Conductors and Porters. Hellraisers has learned that the conductors and porters, who earn $27.50 a month, are forced to purchase their uniforms exclusively from Marshal Fields at the cost of $24.50 for each uniform, nearly a month's pay. Pullman has a contract with Marshall Field & Co. requiring all 6,500 porters and all 2,500 conductors to do so. We have also learned that many of these men are "let go" soon after having spent hard-earned money on an expensive uniform that then becomes useless to them.
New men are then hired who must then purchase new uniforms. A very good deal for Marshall Fields & Co., but it looks a bit like a corruption to us.
We hope to see this little known business arrangement between Pullman and Fields exposed to the light of day by the Walsh Commission.
Below the fold, our readers will find two articles from recent editions of the Chicago Day Book which will help to set the stage for the upcoming sessions of the Commission on Industrial Relations.
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