The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-13
AGAINST COAL TRUST.
Kansas Politicians Express
Opinion on Strike Situation.

The New York American ana Journal
has began an action in the federal
courts to break the coal trust and re
lieve the coal famine as far as 1t VIII
be possible to do so. 1t asks to nave INC
members of the coal trust indicted as
members of a conspiracy TO restrain
trade and create monopoly. Inc ac-
ton is brought under the sherman anu
trust law, which defines such crimes ana
provides a punishment by both me anu
Imprisonment Last night II wired It's
TOpeka CORRESPONDENT J. 5. Leach, 10
ask Kansas congressman ana OlheI
prominent citizens the following ques-
dion: In your opinion is not TINS the
most proper and effective way OF deal
ing with the situation and relieving the
suffering of the people,
Out of perhaps a dozen people inter
viewed only one declined 10 make q
statement. The one exception was Con
gresham Calderhead. Mr.. CalderheaG
refused to say anything on the subject
or give any reason for his refusal.
J. w. Gleed suggested a new idea anu
one which might be acted upon more
effectively than any other. Mr.. GleeQ
said that the plan adopted is probably a
good one, but he favored the APPOINT
ment of q receiver by the courts Tor the
anthracite mines. The receivers could
operate the mines till spring, thereby
relieving the suffering which is newt
able If the coal famine continues during
the winter The miners could be paid
such wages as the courts should de-
termine. and if there should be any
profits they could be turned over to the
mine owners in the spring along with
the mines after the present condition
has been relieved. This is a war meas
ure, MI Gleed said. and is without
precedent. but the condition is also
without precedent, and coal is almost as
necessary as water.
Congressman Long said he had not look
cd up the matter and did not care to eN-
press a positive opinion as to the method
of procedure, but he thought there ought
to be some effective method of coping with
the situation.
Congressman Curtis said he was glad
some one had started something to put
an end to the coal famine, and he thought
the Sherman law would prove as effective q
weapon as any to be had.
Governor Stanley said he was in favor OF
any proce edings. civil or criminal which
will break up the coal trust, and he
thought the Sherman law plan good one
w. J. Bailey, Republican candidate fol-
governor. said he was not enough of law
yer to know much about the best method
of procedure, but he thought the Sherman
law applicable and also thought something
of the sort ought to be done.
Congressman Jackson said he was in full
sympathy with the miners: that they must
not yield but keep up the fight to the end
and the operators ought not to be allowed
to Cypress labor or keep people from ths
necessities of life.
D J. Hanna, Republican candidate for
lieutenant governor, said he was glad pro
ceedings had been commenced. and thai
while he does not know much about The
Sherman antitrust law he remembered
that J. W. Ady when United States dis
trict attorney a few years ago brought
effective suits under it and he thought il
ought to be as effective in the case of tn,
coal combine.