Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-09-08
ROADS REDUCING
THEIR EXPENSES
BY THE MILLION
Out of $94,0 o0,O 600 in operat-
ing Cost Made During the
Last Year, Is Report.

Chicago, Aug. 30.-Following a plan
FOR retrenchment, railroads OF tho
country in the last year have laid on
$3.50 men effecting a net annual saw.
ing In operating expenses Of ss4.oo0,o9
according to a report made public to.
day. This method OF economy In opera
ton has been adopted by 60 per cent OF
all the roads and is rapidly spreading
to the remaining lines.
The decrease In expense and main
tenance is said to be the result of the
action OF the Interstate Commerce COM.
mission, which refused to allow this
roads TO put into effect a general In
crease OF freight rates. The largest
reductions In the forces are found
among the trackmen, shopmen and mis-
~cellaneous employees.
May Affect Labor Trouble.
The report containing the figures may
1t Is said, have an important bearing
on the widespread unrest existing in
the ranks of the shopmen ON the Har-
rtman lines. That the dispute with the
shopmen on the Union Pacific, South
ern Pacific, Illinois Contra and other
lines may extend to other railway sys-
tems was indicated tca:Ssr -sssa siior-
men, employed by the Chicago 81
Northwestern road are reported to have
given notice that with the expiration
~ $50 h~e>A~ Wow AA1&k
month an increase OF salary would be
demanded. Officials Of the Northwest
ern 0 declined to discuss the subject
today.
Many Conferences Today
After a day OF secret conferences the
executive board OF Illinois Central fed
Grated worunen representing 10 trades
have decided TO leave the question OF
calling q strike to the international
presidents OF the different unions. This
action Is taken by some to mean q step
In the direction OF a peaceful settle
ment of the dispute.
A letter has been forwarded to Woe
President w. L. Park m General Man
ager Foley, OF the Illinois Central rail-
road, asking that a conferences be ar
ranged and a number OF meetings were
held by the labor men while awaiting a
reply to this communication.
1t may take several days before the
labor men conclude their negotiations
with the railroad officials.
-
RAILROAD TURNS DOWN
DEMANDS OF THE UNION
a Francisco. Aug. 30.-That to
grant the demands OF the Federation Of
Shop Employees OF the Hartman lines
would mean chaos, and tina 1t would
diminish the ability of the corporation
to fulfill h duties imposed upon them
by law, was the statement made last
night by julius Kruttschnitt, vice pres
| ident and director OF maintenance and
operation OF the Hartman roads.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt took up I'm detail
the reasons for refusing the demands OF
the federated shopmen, saying:
These are the reasons why we de-
cline to surrender to an irresponsible
committee OF federated employees, rep,
~resenting a very small portion OF tho
| Dubiic trust cOnflded 10 l1g nv the an
tire public and Why we will not COM
cede to such committee the right to
dictate whether we shall or shall not
fulfill for 20, 900, 900 people in IT states
the duties clearly prescribed by law.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt discussed the de-
mands OF the men In detail and ex-
planned why each one should not be
granted. The demands are:
j.. Recognition of the union.
2. Tlla all present or future en-
ployes must join the union within sc.
days. :
8. Settlement OF differences with a
federated committee representing five
crafts.
A. Restriction OF the number Of APP
prentices.
8. A flat increase In wages of seven
cents an hour.
6. The adjustment Of piece, prem
jun or bonus systems.
Z. That no form OF physical exam
nation or personal record shall be re-
CURED.
s. When the force Is reduced that
the union shall Indicate who Is. TO be
laid off.
Q. That no employe shall be dis
charged without the consent OF the
employees committee"
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