Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-25
OF PnESDENT RYAN
Railroads Asked to Deal with Big
Organizations as Unit.
lRUTTsCHNTTT DENIES REPORT
Hartman Official Says He Has Not
Refused to Meet Employees.
RECEIVES CALL FROM KLINE
President of BIRcksmiths' Union ts
Trying to Arrange for Conference
with Kruttschnitt in Regard
to Demands of Men.

KANSAS CITY. Aug. A.-A conference
between the international presidents of
five great labor organizations TO consider
the question of a railroad strike which
may involve railroad employees throughout
the Hartman system, is to be held In
this city next Monday, according to NJ.
f. Ryan, international president OF the
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen whose
office is here.
1T looks like q big strike, unless the
MANAGEMENT of the Hartman system con-
sents TO confer with union leaders,, said
Mr. Ryan Several months ago five big
labor organizations decided to cease deal
ing with railroads separately and banded
together. They asked the railroads to
treat with them as a unit. Many roads
| consented, but the Hartman lines re-
| fused
Men Are StilI at work.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. A-Rumors IN
circulation in the east to the effect that
shopmen Of the Southern Pacific railroad
had decided to strike on protest against
| the company's reduction of its clerical
| force and other reasons are without foun-
dation so far as the Pacific system of the
company goes. The men are today at
work at all shops, and 1t is said their in
tention apparently is to remain at work,
| at least until the committee sent to confer
with the company officials in Chicago, or
II necessary, in New York. makes its re-
port
A message from President Franklin of
the Boilermakers' international union to
| e. l. Reguin, president of the federation,
received today. stated that the committee
| had been refused a hearing in Chicago by
Vice President Kruttschnitt of the Harri-
| man system. II no recognition could be
obtained Reguin said a strike vote would
undoubtedly result.
| To declare strike a vote on the ques-
| ton is necessary. A two-thirds majority
Of each union is needed before a walkout
| can be called.
President Reguin says that the men were
| firm in their demand for an eight-hour
| day. The other demands are debotabIe.
The recognition of the federation appar-
entity is the main point insisted on.
So far conditions are quiet in the Harri-
man shops.
Statement by Kruttschnitt.
| CHICAGO, Aug. A-VIce President Ju-
| Illus Krutschnitt Of the Hartman system
stated unreservedly this afternoon that
there had been no refusal on his part to
give hearing to any committee Of en-
ployes He said that his office was open
to anyone who called and that today he
had received visit from ]. W. Kline
president of the Railroad Blacksmiths'
union. Questioned as to whether there
would be any further conference, and espe-
| cialiy as to whether he would receive a
committee, he replied that his office was
open and that he had never declined to re-
| celve such visitors.
TryinE to Arrange Conference.
| J. W. Kline, international president OF
the railroad blacksmiths. declared that he
would endeavor to arrange a conference
with Julius Kruttschnitt, vice president and
general manager OF the maintenance OF
ways and equipment OF the Union Pacific
and Southern Pacific railways, in a few
days in the hope OF averting a strike of
shopmen on the Hartman lines.
| While the situation is grave. have
strong hopes of reaching some sort of a
peace agreement with the railroad officials
so that strike may be averted." said
President Kline today.
The heads of the other unions are work
ing lust as hard for peace in other cities
This is not a demand for an increase NJ
wages. II is matter OF protection for
union labor. Our federated Organization
must be given recognition or the men will
strike"
Paducah Men Vote for Strike,
PADUCAH, KY, Aug. A-President Nc
creary and Secretary Bowen of the Fs5-
GRAFTON OF Illinois Central Employees proha-
bly, viii go TO Chicago to lay before the
officials Of the Illinois Central raiIrosd ths
demands Of the federation.
Over three-fourths OF the members of N.
federation have voted in favor OF a str,ka
provided the railway officials declin. "a
| deal with them.
Mo-, I'll. 11s