Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-07
WESTERN RAIL
MAGNATE MAY
MEET MARKHAM.
Arrival Of Julius Krutt-
schnitt, Hartman Execu-
tive, May Have Bearing on
Illinois Central Trouble.

ILLINOIS, CenCrdl lfOuDle.
Chicago, Sept. 6.-The arrival here
today of julius Kruttschnitt, vice
president and director of maintenance
Of ways Of the Hartman lines was
expected to develop a bearing on the
Illinois Central labor difference.
The Hartman executive, who re-
jected the demands of railroad shop.
men made at San Francisco last
week, was believed to have con
ference with President Markham OF
the Illinois Central, on his program
today. Mr.. Markham on Monday de-
clined to meet agents of the new fed,
Grafton Of Illinois Central shop work.
ers, just as Kruttschnitt did at San
Francisco.
The letter made public by the shop.
men last night in which Mr.. Mark.
ham is informed that he will be re.
sponsible should a strike develop was
received by the Illinois Central to
day.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt went direct to his
offices where he was in conference
with his assistants for several hours.
He declined to discuss the labor dis
pute on the Hartman lines, but said
he might discuss it later In the day.
Representatives Of the nine crafts
of Illinois Central shopmen and Off.
GERS of the federated body resumed
their conference behind closed doors
shortly before II o'clock today to dis
cuss the advisability Of calling a
strike
There is said to be a difference OF
opinion among the labor chiefs re.
garding what action shall be taken
which the eighteen hour meeting held
yesterday was unable to remove.
Kruttschnltt Gives Interview. I. 4
When seen shortly before noon
Julius Kruttschnitt said:%
II am not Interested In any official
way in the Illinois Central labor
trouble. The Hartman lines and the
Illinois Central are entirely indepen,
dent and do not see how could be
called in conference with President
Markham. In regard to the situation
on the Hartman lines, there have
been no developments since I left San
Francisco, Saturday. I have had no
communication with the labor men and
they have none with me. We were
compelled to deny the demands Of the
men because Of their unreasonable
ness"
President McCreary Of the Fedora.
tion of Illinois Central shop employees
said:
"The men want to strike and are
growing restless at the delay. think
1t is due the men that some decision
be reached today"
President Markham said he had re.
ceived the letter sent by the labor
unions, but had not decided whether
he would answer It, He said there had
been no new developments in the labor
situation and that the company had
no settlement to make.
Unions Reply to Markham.
Instead Of ordering the federated
shop employees of the Illinois Central
railroad to strike, representatives of
the nine international organizations in
volved last night after an all day con-
ference, decided to send a reply to the
letter in which G. H. Markham, presi-
dent Of the road, fatty refused to
recognize the officers Of the system
federation.
The reply was signed by w. F..
Kramer secretary of the International
Brotherhood Of Blacksmiths and Help
ers, to whom President Markham ad-
dressed his communication Monday.
In the letter the international officers
through Mr.. Kramer, who acted as
chairman of the international com.
mittee took issue with President Lark.
ham in his claim that the unions failed
to comply with the thirty day notice
clause of changes desired in working
conditions.
The communication, mailed by spe-
cial delivery about 10 o'clock last night
also contained another strike threat,
concluding as follows:
Until equality is recognized justice
cannot manifest itself and should your
attitude be persisted in such trouble
as may result will not be the unions
desire, but the seeking OF yourself and
those whose interests you represent.
There are too many people teaching
details of conduct who do not even
understand first principles"
No Change In the West.
San Francisco, Cal, Sept. g. Re-
fusal of the officials of the Illinois
Central to recognize the federation of
shopmen Of that system will not affect
the situation OF the Hartman system,
to a statement made by J..
L. Kline, president of the Blacksmiths
union, who is chairman OF the shop
mems committee now in this city.
'If there is any likelihood of strike
being called at Chicago it does not
necessarily mean that such action
will be taken here said Kline. THE
only bond is syspathetic one.'
The situation here is unchanged.