Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-10
Julius Kruttschnitt Testifies
Before Federal Indus
trial Commission.
OPPOSED UNION
OF SHOP EMPLOYEES
Declares Older Mon Were Not IN
Favor Of Federation and Company
Feared Effect Of Influence Of Other
Trades-Roads Find Excuse For
Asking Rate Increase in Cumming
Amendment, Effective June 1.

Chicago, April 10. - Julius krutt-
schnitt, chairman of the board OF the
Southern Pacific, appeared as wit
ness today before the United States
commission in Industrial relations. His
career began in 1878, as an engineer In
the south, he said, and he rose by
steady promotion.
"Prior to the strike of 1907" said the
witness, "our relations with our work
men were pleasant. In May. 1911, how
ever, we heard that the shop crafts.
meeting at Salt Lake City, had de-
cided to federate. We were informed
Of this later and federation officials
asked for a conference. We replied
that we had contracts with the indus
trial crafts and were prepared to deal
with them as we always had. This was
not satisfactory to the federation.
saw Mr.. Kline and Mr.. Franklin Of the
men. told them that If the men felt
they must have the federation or trou-
BILE. I did not see how the Hartman
lines could avoid the trouble. I said
that If we accepted the plans we would
enter into an agreement with so strong
a body that we would be helpless. The
grievances of a tinsmith in New Or
leans might be enough to tie up every
mile of our line.
older Employees Disapprove.
"They disagreed with this view and
asked us to compel our men within
thirty days to join the federation. The
federation was to govern apprentice
ships and physical examinations. and
the looking up Of references OF appli-
cants for work was to be eliminated.
Some Of our older men said the plan
was, one of yonng hot heads. but that
II there was d strike the old conserva-
tive men would have to join It,"
"The strike" continued Mr.. Krutt-
schitt, rose from total disregard
OF the rights Of the employees. said
that they wouldn't try to carry their
plan into their own homes..to forbid
their wives, for instances, 70 dismiss
an unsatisfactory cook.
symp athizes With Workman.
II have done hard physical work my
self and I sympathize with the men.
For thirty three years got along nice
ly with my fellow workmen but the
demands Of 1911 were too unjust to be
tolerated"
Chairman Walsh asked If the witness
recalled when. in 1902. the Union Pa
cific crafts struck IN opposition to piece
work system and E. H. Hartman met
with the federated crafts of that road
II was general manager OF the
Southern Pacific then and had no con-
nection with the road.' said the wit
ness. He did not recouect that the
Southern Pacific shopmen took vote
on sympathetic strike.
'.My close association with Mr.. Har-
riman began In 1904" he said. II am
thoroughly acquainted with and am in
harmony with his views"
War Movement Halted Strike.
Mr.. Walsh referred to trouble with
the fremen and engineers Of the
southern systems of the roads.
THAT troubles was largely among
the men themselves" said the witness.
"However, I was informed thru Judge
Chambers, Of the board OF mediation
and conciliation, that the trouble was
embarrassing the movement Of United
States troops to the Mexican border.
The president asked II the country
would not permit the settlement Of
the trouble. We Immediately ac-
quiesced."
Mr.. Walsh asked il Mr.. Hartman
had not suggested that the men fed
crate.
II was very intimate with Mr.. Har-
riman, and this Is the first I ever
heard of it," said Mr.. Kruttschnitt.
No Lawlsssness by Employees.
Allegations Of lawlessness made
against strike breakers and guards
employed by the Union Pacific in the
shopmen's strike in 1911, In testimony
before the United States commission
on industrial relations today, were
denied by C. E. Fuller. OF the Union
Pacific.
The Union Pacific, like the Illinois
Central and other so-called Hartman
lines, resisted the efforts of the forma-
ton of labor associations. Nuclei of
the federations were formed on the
Hartman lines but the company man
ayers declined to treat with them and
the strike resulted.
Fought "CIosed Shop"
1--WE resisted said Fuller, because
the federation meant a closed shop,
which we believe is unconstitutional
anl also unjust to men who prefer to
remain independent. The right to
compel men to Join organizations is
we believed, questionable. Our men
were not particularly interested in the
federation plan"
Two years prior to the strike, he
said. the mechanics were granted an
Increase Of 3 cents an hour Two hum
dred men who applied for reappoint-
ment after the strike began were not
taken back. The company. he said.
did not knowingly employ any strike
breakers.
Better Work Since Strike.
"AIl Of the strikers were not taken
back because there was no opening for
them" he said. Ninety per cent OF
our present shop employee. he con-