The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-20
War Declared on Labor Com
missioner johnson.
Henry NJ. Walker, A. F. Of L.,
Starts a Fire.
HASN'T ENFORCEDLAW
ays Labor Interests Are
Sacrificed to Politics.
Demands That Governor HOch
Take a Hand.

Henry NJ. Walker, organizer OF the
American Federation of Labor for the
state of Kansas, in an interview today
declared war on the state society OF
labor and industry, of which w. L. A.
johnson is the secretary.
Mr.. Walker declares that Mr.. John
son is using the labor bureau to fur
ther the interests of the Republican
machine in the state, and that he Is
deliberately selling out the interests of
the union labor men of the state.
There is a gigantic conspiracy on
foot" said Mr.. Walker this morning.
This man johnson is working in with
the party in power, and is failing, neg
lecting and refusing to protect the la
boring men and perform the duties Of
his office. We have good labor laws
in this state, but Johnson will not en-
force them. We have the evidence In
number of cases where he has failed
tn enforce the law. We have evidence
of children 13 years old working in
factories at Leavenworth. We can cite
an instance at Wichita where prose-
cution under the eight hour law was
dismissed. The union labor interests
OF Kansas are becoming aroused to the
conditions. Three hundred labor or
ganizations have cease to exist in
Kansas since johnson became labor
commissioner. The organization which
elects johnson is not representative of
the union labor men of Kansas. Dele
ions are allowed to participate.
"I also have the letter to show that
this man 7. p. Mention, Johnson's sta
tistical clerk, is sending out all over
of the American Federation movement.
Already the Johnson crowd is at work
to control the next state convention
of the federation, but they can't do 1t.
We beat them in a square fight at the
last convention, and will do 1t again
THE disorganIzed condition of union la
Dor in Kansas is shown by the fact that
here 1t has resulted disastrously for the
laboring man. Note the case of the San
ia Fe machinists and the telephone line
1--WE are not fighting the state bureau
of labor and industry, but we are fighting
we. demand is that Gov: Hoch call upon
the laws of the state. He should see to 1t
that the labor laws are obeyed and not
litical ends"
At the time of the recent convention of
the American Federation OF Labor in this
city it was claimed by both sides that
there was no fight between the two or
ganizations, though secretly much bitter
Is now apparent that it win be a fight to
the death between Walker and johnson
for the control Of the union labor inter
Tonight there is to be a meeting of un-
meeting viii be addressed by Mr. walker
The following notice of the meeting was
sent to the State Journal office today and
1t is expected that Mr.. walker may have
some things to say concerning the state
bureau of labor and it's secretary:
There will be mass meeting for union
members only at Labor headquarters, SIS
Kansas avenue. tonight promptly at
D. clock. The meeting will be under the
auspices of Topeka Industrial Council and
Henry M. Walker, general travelling or
yanizer OF the American Federation OF
Labor, will be the speaker.
Mr.. Walker has Nebraska, Kansas.
Arkansas. Oklahoma and Texas
n his territory and Is the personal rep
'esentative of President Samuel Gompera
If the A F. of L. in this section.
During last August in Topeka Mr.. Wal
zer organized the Kansas State Fedora
ion of Labor and he claims that nearly
Q, 600 people are now members of the state
oody. IT will be about the objects and
benefits of the Kansas State Federation
,f Labor that he will talk about as welt
Is closer cooperation with the union far
ners. He may have something to say
bout the enforcement of the labor
avs in Kansas also An invitation has
,een extended to number of members
,f the farmers union to be present"