Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-09-08
RAILROAD MEN IN
CONFERENCE OVER
CUTTING EXPENSE
Retrenchment in the Operating
Cost of Various Lines Is
Talked in Secret.

Chicago Aug. S1,-Members of the
committee on relations among railroads
OF the American Railway associats4A
met here today and discussed the en-
ployrnent situation on transportation
lines in different parts Of the country,
\ The session was held behind closed
doors and railroad officials declined to
discuss any action probably to be taken
The policy OF retrenchment and econ
omical administration adopted by a
number of roads which has resulted In
the laying off of thousands OF employees
was considered it Is said, at the con-
ference. The disputes with union labor
which has engaged the attention OF
railroad officials on a. number OF lines
for several weeks also was considered,
1t is said.
Personnel of COMMITTEES.
The committee is composed OF the
following railroad officials, Arthur A..
Hale, general agent OF the American
Railway association; T.. w. McKenna,
vice president Chicago, Milwaukee a.
st. Paul railroad: w. L. Park, vice
president and general manager of the
Illinois Central railroad; c.. M. Sheafer,
general superintendent transportation
Pennsylvania lines; w. @. Brownlee,
general transportation manager Grand
Trunk railroad, Henry Miller, vice
president and general manager of the
Wabash railroad: II. J. Merrick, gem
eral superintendent freight ~transporta-
ton Lake Shore g. Michigan Southern
railroad; T.. H.. Coapman. vice presi-
dent and general manager Southern
railway; j. M. Warner, general man
ager Chicago Sc Western Indiana rail-
road; w. j. Jackson, vice president and
general manager. Chicago & Eastern
Illinois railroad.
Central Strike Looming.
A crisis in the labor dispute involving
5000 shopmen employed by the Him
OILS Central railroad, who are demand
ing recognition for their recently or
ganized federation. is expected today at
a conference arranged between labor
leaders n railroad officials.
1t is said that Vice President Park,
Of the Illinois Central, while refusing
to deal with a committee OF the feder-
ated body. mas agreed to meet repre-
sentatives OF the 10 individual unions
with which the transportation company
has wage contracts. These unions
through their representatives will, 1t Is
said, submit their demands to the rail-
road officials and the possibility OF a
strike being called apparently depends
In a great measure on the outcome OF
the meeting.
Union Pacific's plea.
Omaha, Aug. 30.--A circular over the
signature OF G. X, Fuller, assistant gen
eral manager of the Union Pacific Rail-
way company, was today sent to the
shop employees of the system, setting
forth the claims of tho upoB
h men, and urging reasons why the
pressing of demands for increased
wages and other concessions at this
time would be an injustice.
The fact IS referred to that since 1906
several increases in wages a~ggregating
is per cent have been granted shopnen
and the declaration made that the
company is now paying higher wages
/. than competitors. A pension system
has been established, says the circular,
OF which already many old employees
are beneiciaries and anymore almost
ready TO avail themselves of its pro-
visions.
Business, it Is declared, has been and
is still declining, and the position is
taken that tfe sympathy and Coop
Grafton of its employees, instead OF an
tagonism and attack, are due to the
company.
San Francisco. Acg. 26--The heads
OF the five international unions repre-.
senting the five crafts engaged in car
shop work are expected to arrive here
late today, when a conference immodi-
ately viii be arranged with Vice Presi-
dent Julius Kruttschnitt in regard TIC
the demands for recognition, reduced
hours and Increased pay made by the
federation Of shop employees Of the Har.
riman lines.
President ReRllin, OF the federation,
says the men will insist on the granting
OF their demands. 1t liz given out from
the Southern Pacific headquarters that
the reply to the mems demands made
Monday by Mr.. Kruttschnitt Will be
made fra