The Detroit times., 1911-08-26
UNION RAILWAY y
men ARE |NCENSED
Railroad Shop Men May Strike as
Result of Roads Refusal To
Recognize Federation.

CHICAGO, Aug. 26.--Radical action.
with decided probability OF gen.
eral strike order, is expected to fol-
low the meeting. Monday, In Kansas
City. of the presidents of the five
unions of shop craft employees OF the
Hartman lines, following the refusal
of President Lovett and Vice-Presi-
dent Kruttschnitt TO treat with the
federated unions.
The railroad officers today expressed
the belief that they could successfully
combat such a strike at this time,
while the union leaders are just as
insistent that IL the strike order is
given they can tie UP the entire sys-
TEN inside OF three days. A strike
of the system federation on the Har-
riman lines In all probability would
be followed by strikes on other roads,
notably the Illinois Central, where
strike vote already has been taken
and the strike call only awaits the
action OF the union presidents.
Reports received here today from
the officers of the unions In the far
west indicate that the men are grow
ing restless under restraint and may
take precipitate action without walt
Ing for strike order from the various
international presidents.
Union leaders declared today the
action of President Lovett and Vice
President Kruttschnitt, In refusing to
deal with the system federation IN
stead of with the Individual unions.
has placed the responsibility for
whatever action may be taken square
ly on the shoulders of the railway
heads, and that the unions must be
absolyed from blame II they feel
called upon to enforce their demands
by general strike order.
English Strike inspiring.
According to these same labor lead
ers. the success of the general strike
movements abroad, especially In Ems
land. has inspired the union men or
this country.
Vice-President Kruttschnitt has
agreed to meet the international pres
idents on his hurried western trip, put
has intimated that while he Is sun
willing to treat with the heads OF the
Individual unions, he will never recog-
nize them as representatives OF Tue
system federation. The following IN
ternational presidents will meet him
7 w Kline, OF the blacksmiths; Mich
aeI O'SuIIiyan, of the sheet metal
workers. ]. A. Franklin, of the boil
ermakers; f. M. Ryan, OF the car
workers, and representative
James O'Connell, OF the macninisus.
These men will represent 10000 snop
craft employees of the Hartman ines'
Want to Strike Al Once.
Kline today received several teie-
grams from labor men on the coast
and in Texas, demanding that they
bo allowed to strike at once. he sent
messages. imploring them TO hold on
a few days He also received tele-
gram from Julius Kruttschnitt, direc-
tor of operation and maintenance OF
the Hartman lines, saying he would
meet the labor men any time next
week In San Francisco. Kline says
the conference will probably be held
next Thursday. He says, unless some
thing comes OF this conference, no
VIII not be sble to keep the men from
striking another day
To Meet at Frisco.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Aug. 26.-The
conference of labor officers to deter
mine action on the Hartman lines
situation, which was to be held here
Monday, was abandoned this after
noon, and FIVE international presidents
of railroad trade unions will leave to-
night for San Francisco. This action
follows advices from ]. w. Kline,
president of the blacksmiths, now In
Chicago. that Julius Kruttschnitt had
agreed to confer with union men In
San Francisco.
The conference will be held there,
either wednesday or Thursday.
Roads Prepared For Strike.
NEW YORK, Aug. 26-Judge
Lovett, president OF the Union
Pacific, and his board OF direc-
tors have been in constant touch
with Julius Kruttschnitt, vice-presi-
dent of the Hartman lines, who is
handling the situation in the west.
Kruttschnitt's action in forcing the
issue by telling the men that recog-
milton OF the system federation could
not be granted was taken on teie-
graphic authority from the directors
here. The Hartman lines, II Is said
here, have been quietly repairing all
rolling stock for months, until today
they are in shape to operate for three