The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-30
INDICATES NO DEAL
 WITH FEDERATION I. c. Official Issues State
 ment to Labor Men MEETINGS ARE SECRET Report Published Showing Marked Plan of Retrenchment Being
 Carried Out By Railroads.
 Dispute May Spread

Chicago, August 2s.--W. L. Park, vice president of the Illinois Central railroad, tonight indicated that the of ficials of the road have determined not to deal with the federated shop em- pIoyes, representatives of whom are now here from the south. In an offi- cial statement MT. Park said:
 We received a communication from the international union officials ask ing for conference and have said to them that we will meet accredited representatives of organizations with whom we have contracts to discuss matters connected herewith
 Vice President Park refused to am plify the statement. but representa- lives of the labor union said the state ment indicated a refusal to recognize the federation.
 President McCleary of the federation, who spent most of the day conferrlng with representatives of the inter national unions, said MT. Parks state ment was reiteration of former eX- pressions. He said:
 We have known the company was willing to meet with the international officials of the nine unions Some Of the officials upon who power to act has been conferred by the international presidents have not reached here. l. expect them tomorrow and by the fol- lowing day expect negotiations Will have reached a stage where we can make public the details of our con ferences."
 Representatives of the unions spent the day In secret conferences with Ted eration officials. but so far none or the organization have met with any rail road officials.
 conference between the railroad and the union officials will be arranged as soon as all the labor representatives arrive. At that meeting an effort will be made to arrange a meeting between tbe road and the federation delegation headed by MT McCleary and the actual fight to gain recognition of the federa- ton will be inaugurated
 Retrenchment
 Following plan for retrenchment, railroads of the country In the past year have dismissed S1,7S0 men, erecting '.. net annual saving in operating expenses of ss4,0OO, 900, according to report made public today
 This economy has been adopted py 60 per cent of all the roads and IS rapidly spreading to remaining lines.
 The decrease fin expense ana Haln- tainance Is said to be the result or ac- tion of the interstate commerce com mission. which refuscd to allow the roads to put into effect general in crease of freight rates. The largest re- ductions in the force are found among the trackmen, shopmen and nlisce laneous employees.
 The report containing these figures, 1t Is said, have an important bearing on the widespread unrest existing in the ranks of the Hartman shopmen
 Tl.nt thA ts arl the Union Pacific, Southern Pacific Hi nos Central and other lines may extend to other railway systems was Indicated today by the report that men employed by the Chicago, and Northwestern rail- road have given notice that with the ex- piratlon of the present wage agreement next month an increase of wages will be demanded.
 After a day Of secret conference the executive board of Illinois Central fed erated workmen. representing nine dis trctr. has decided to leave the question