Witness Questions Eugene V. Debs

Asked about yourself?

Railroad worker and union organizer since you were 14, founded the American Railway Union, Well-educated, President of the American Railway Union, and you believe in government ownership and operation of all major industry and railroads.

Did you try to speak with pullman?

He refused to speak with works and fired union members if they complained.

Why did you get involved with the pullman workers?

Rents in Pullman's town were 20% above those in the surrounding area of Chicago, all workers had to live in pullman housing, wages were cut to the point were workers and their families went hungry, but pullman continued to pay high dividends to his stockholders.

Do you know what the Sherman Antitrust Act is, can you explain why the strike didn't apply to the act?

Yes, however the act does not apply to the strike because there was no conspiracy to restrain trade.

What cars did your strike affect?

the Pullman cars, there was no attempt/interest in stoping the mail cars.