The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-25
HARTMAN LINES
 ARE IN TROUBLE 25,0OO Shopmen Are Threat
 ening to Strike CONFERENCE IS HELD Both kruttschnitt and Kline Refuse to Discuss Plans-Allege Com pany Refuses to Recognize
 Federation of Unions

| Chicago, August 24-A conference be- tween Vice President Julius Kruttschnitt of the Union and Southern Pacific rail- roads and J. W. Kline, international pres- ident of the blacksmiths' union, was held here today but no steps were taken toward a settlement of differences involving 25,000 shopmen employed by the Hartman lines.
 Both Vice President Kruttschnitt and President Kline declined to discuss what was done at the conference, but it is said the entire subject of the railroads refusal Ito recognize the federated labor organiza- tions instead of individual unions was con sidered at length. It is said Vice Pres Iident Kruttschnitt is following instruc- tions of the directors of the lines in refus- ing to yield to the demand of the shopmen for recognition of their federation organ ization.
 T met Mr. Kline today and We had a very pleasant talk" said MT. kruttschnitt.
 T am always glad to meet representatives of our workmen. I must decline to talk about what was done at the conference"
 Shortly after the meeting MT. krutt- schnitt left for the west, where he win spend two weeks Investigating the labor situation. He will visit Omaha, ogden, San Francisco and other cities and may confer with labor representatives at San Francisco next Wednesday,
 The roads involved In the present dis pute are
 Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Cen tral Pacific, Oregon Short Line, Hous- | md ai1 and Navigation company San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake railroad.
 Shop workers of the Illinois Central railroad have a similar grievance.
 President J. w Kline, in outlining the position of the shopmen, said:
 June last, a committee of workers on the Hartman lines met in Salt Lake City to form a federation of the mem bers of various mechanical crafts un- der railroad management A number of other roads had already recognized similar federations, among them the Wabash road, the Gould lines and the Hawley lines.
 "The organization was formed for protection and in the interest of econ | omy and convenience. It should be easier to deal with one joint commit 1 tee than with a dozen For some req I ognize the federated body That Is all the men are asking. The | question of wages is not involved. Since the federated body was formed the men active in the movement have been discriminated against and many laid off without just cause, I am in formed.
 | 'rhe present situation Is grave. I have received number of telegrams from officers of different unions ask Ing for permission to strike. l am do ing all I can to settle the mems diff ferences peaceably. We have had sew eral conferences with railroad officials and more will be held before anything can be done. l cannot say what. the outcome will be-"
 Kansas City, August 24-A confer once between the international presi- dents of five great labor organizations | to consider the question of railroad strike which may involve railroad em- ployes throughout the Hartman sys- tenn Is to be held in this city next Monday. according to NJ. F. Ryan, inter- national president of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, whose office is here
 1 Tt looks like big strike unless the management of the Hartman sys- | tenn consents to confer with union leaders" MT. Ryan said today. Sever al months ago five labor organizations decided to cease dealing with the rail- roads separately and banded together They asked the railroads to treat with | them unit. Many roads consented but the Hartman lines refused" | MT. Ryan said the labor organizations in question were the carmen, black smiths, boilermakers, sheet metal work CTS and machinists.