The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-19

ing effects.
Wage guarantees by state.
Retroactive wages If favorable decision
in conference.
BY OPERATORS:
Full protection of property by state.
Sale of coal at price sufficient to pay
all expenses.
Bonds by receivers sufficient to pro-
tect against loss.
Removal federal price restrictions in
sale of coal by the state.
There is seemingly a new hope in
the Kansas coal strike situation this
afternoon. Clyde NJ. Reed, private
secretary to Governor Allen, reviewed
reports from the Crawford Cherokee
fields in an informal conference with
supreme court justices. No request
was filed for appointment of receivers
to succeed Spencer and Titus, who
have threatened to resign.
Reed met supreme court justices in
chambers this morning Immediately
following a long distance telephone
conversation with Governor Allen.
That the ice is beginning to break in
the southeastern Kansas coal fields
was indicated in the conversation.
While no action was taken by the
court the court informally accepted a
general plan to insure full protection
to both mine workers and operators in
event the mines are reopened under
state supervision. Should conditions
compel such action. it is quite prob
able the court might file supplement
al order in the receiVership.
Restrict to Kansas Use.
That coal produced from the Craw-
ford Cherokee mines will be restricted
to Kansas use SO far as authority of
the state is concerned was the belief
today in state house circles. This is
one of the issues on which mine work
ers are baking in the negotiations to
reopen the mines. Except in event of
a federal court order or direct order
from the federal government affecting
the distribution of coal, it is believed
that ali production would be retained
in Kansas.
Mine workers are declared to have
held out Tuesday on this issue. They
declare they will not return to work
if their output is to be used in other
fields for strike breaking purposes. =
To Be Given Back Wages.
Another issue is that of wages.
any advance allowed by the national
council will be made effective for the
time the miners might be in the serv-
ice of the state. Governor Allen is
said to have agreed to such an ar
rangement, subject to approval by the
court.
Operators from the southeastern
! Kansas fields are in conference this
afternoon in Kansas City. Altho they
| have protested several actions by the
state, they have filed no demands for
court relief. 1t is probable, however,
| that attorneys for the operators may
this week confer with the court and
that a supplemental order may be
asked.
State Meets Expenses.
The Kansas operators insist that
the expense of operation be met en-
| tirely by the state receivership. In
i short, they want no claims filed with
them for expense/of operation when
the receivership is terminated. They
want bonds sufficient to insure faith
! full. full and final performance of all
duties by Individual receivers. The
| operators objected strenuously to the
Titus appointment. This situation was
relieved when Titus notified Governor
Allen he would not serve Titus as
! serted, it is reported, that his first
duty is to his union. After that he
will assume responsibility to the
! state.
| Want Higher Prices.
Fixing of prices above those stipu-
lated by federal authorities is aske
by the operators. These are necessary
is asserted, to meet expenses.
All of the issues were discussed in
| lOQdN COH1SEellCSs II was lIAS O04iCi
of state officials this afternoon thai
the more serious problems would be
readily overcome.
| Reeds conference with the court
was entirely informal No order was
made. None was asked. Neither r
| J. Hopkins. attorney general. or any
other member of the states legal staff
was called into the conference.
Should conditions demand, 1t is
/ probable supplemental order may be
asked at the hands of the court late
today or Thursday. In that event tho
court is expected to outline officially
its attitude and that of the state IL