The Detroit times., 1911-09-30

called the extravagant demands OF the
employees.
The general officers of the Ave I'm
ternationals met Mr.. Kruttschnitt
and his associates and calmly. dis
cussed the objects and aims OF tho
federation, but let 1t be noted here
Mr.. Kruttschnitt or his associates
discuss any OF the requests made by
the federation at this conference, but
held US strictly to the question OF
federation; thereby making the fed
Grafton the issue; and We accepted
the challenge.
The question of federation is not a
new one. Many railroad systems con-
fer with the federated trades now.
There are federation swith railroads.
They federate their various Inns, as
the Hartman interests at the present
time. We have a federation In the
United Steel corporation, which has
defantly challenged the government.
We have declarations of professional
men. declarations and combinations OF
business men, declarations Of big IN
terests for the purpose of protection
In controlling prices. Railroads have
what IL known as the "Gentlemen's
Agreements between the general
managers and presidents. for what
purposef
But II seems to be a most outrag.
eous thing for wage earners to feder-
ate, not altogether for advances in
wages, but for our own protection.
Here are some Of the reasons the
men are federating:
For instance, the Hartman lines
expect a man to sign a personal rec
ord. which places on the records of the
company his relations back as far as
they can. and he must give a record
of his Industrial life, some as far back
as ten years and more, so that In case
they ever want to look you up, they
can do so.
Furthermore, they demand a strict
physical examination. In which your
clothing Is removed. There was a
time when the slave was treated In
that way, but we never expected II
would come to the point that railroad
employees would be subjected to this
humiliation.
The piece-work, premium or bonus
system Is another process they are
adopting to increase the output at a
reduced cost.
These are some OF the things for
which men organize for their own
protection, and for which we will
fight, to the last ditch We are not
slaves. nor do we purpose to be en-
salved.
The following are some of the re-
quests, or demands, as Mr. Krutt-
r1s.te wNlA - q
| An eight-hour day; this is nothing
new.
We have asked for a raise In
wages; z cents per hour. In some To-
calities, possibly, this Is little ex-
travagant, but II conference had
been granted this matter could have
been settled.
We. demand sanitary conditions.
The management has laid stress
upon the fact that we have asked for
a closed shop. The closed shop prof,
osition is an open question. and this
Is a matter that could be discussed
thoroughly in conference.
In other words. the proposed agree
ment and requests are only what has
been proposed TO other railroads, and
been agreeably adjusted when given
a chance.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt speaks of the high
rates already paid by the Hartman
lines. This statement has not been
proven, but on the contrary, in Kan
sas City, Texas, and In the northwest
the Hartman lines are not paying as
high rates as the Gould lines and the
Hill lines.
Their liberal pension" system IL a
nice thing to the old men that are
leaving the service. II gives those
who have had high salary for years
a little pin money, but those who
need II most are the ones who have
been working for a small salary.
We are not condemning Julius
Kruttschnitt. but we are condemning
the system that controls him.
A.