Why did Richard ely say the idea of pullman is un-American?

Richard Ely criticized the Pullman concept, which centralized control over workers' lives and living conditions, as un-American because it contradicted the principles of individual freedom and self-determination foundational to American ideals. He believed that such corporate paternalism undermined the autonomy of workers and promoted a dependency that was antithetical to the spirit of American capitalism. Ely argued that true American values should foster independence and opportunity, rather than creating environments where workers were tightly controlled by their employers.