The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-28
STATE HEADS IN
COUNCIL TOLOOK
OVER COAL STRIKE
Declare Vague Govt Policy
Delays Kansas Action.
conference Includes Martin and
State Labor. Commissioner.
MONTEE TELLS CONDITIONS
No Doubt $4,000 Kansas Miners
VIII Gill; ~ Co.
MONTEE TELLS CONDITIONS
No Doubt $4,000 Kansas Miners
viii Strike, He Says.
Ready and Willing To Go to
Jail, He Intimates.

State officials were in conference
this afternoon regarding the coal
strike situation in Kansas. None of
The men attending the conference
would venture a prediction as to prob
able course of the state. There was
Il general tendency to await federal
action. Assurances have been given
that all of thu 1900 coal miners in
Kansas. will quit work Friday night
unless the strike order is rescinded.
Senator J. w. Montee, of Crawford
county, brought number of reports
70 topeka today regarding the out
look in the southwestern Kansas coal
fields. He attended the conference
called by r. j., Hopkins, attorney gem
eral, and Clyde NJ Reed, private sec
rotary to Governor Allen. Before the
conference, called late this afternoon.
it was minated that John H Craw-
ford, state labor commissioner; and
possibly Charles I. Martin. adjutant
general. would participate in the dis
cussiors.s
No information has reached state
departments regarding federal action.
ANY order concerning troops will come
thru the governors office
Prevents State Policy.
In view Ofsthe very vague and in
definite course the government will
pursue, it is almost impossible to map
The president has given the infer
ence, at least, that troops may be
used. There is seemingly no question
that federal officials have some
definite policy in mind. Until we
know what that course is, there is lit
tie chance that the state will or can
proceed
Miners in the coal producing dis
tricts are ready and willing to go to
Jail. Senator Montee intimated. He
4 ta IL
the strike order is not amended or
rescinded. The miners will follow the
ewis-Howat leadership almost with
out question
miners in Crawford county are ready
for the strike" said Senator Montee,
and will go out Friday night under
p~esent plans How long they may be
able to hold out or what course they
viii follow I DO not know. Thus far
the miners have sheen very quiet, but
determined.
Strikcbrcakcrs Improbable.
Senator Montee doubted ability of
operators to secure nonunion 5miners
in sufficient number to keep mines
open He said the miners had made
no open threats of riots or disturb
1.sces, and so far as he knows would
merely lay down their tools and re-
fuse to work.
Possibilities that the state may be
able to present a solution to the
trouble in Kansas are to be discussed
at the conference. The question of
special legislative session was also
mentioned during the day. Such
course is not anticipated, tho. except
in event Kansas should find it neces-
sary to handle the problem single
handed or to take action to prevent
trouble.
Governor~Allen is in the east. and
will not return to Topeka until late
next week. I19 is vested with power
to call upon the troops for police
service. Such action would be taken,
II is believed. only in case Kansas Ma
tiona1 Guardsmen were not federal