The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-22
State Sees Union Plan to Defeat
Industrial Court.
Would Avoid Responsibility for
Strike Orders.
SIMILAR THREAT TO CAPPER
Other Unions May Move District
Offices to Missouri.
Would Leave Workers Only Un-
der Jurisdiction of Law.

Alexander Howat and his associates
have a plan to beat Governor Aliens
industrial court bill, according to re-
ports which today reached the state
house. Once the legislature passes the
anti-strike bill. Howat and his Heuten-
ants may arrange for transfer of Kan
sas workers to other fields. The few
thousand union miners in this state
may be easily absorbed in larger fields,
it is asserted, in a concerted move to
defeat the purpose of the proposed la
Dor reform law.
That Howat may become the fly in
the governors ointment is the belief of
persons in touch with industrial af-
fairs in the state. Howat's unques-
toned leadership and control over his
men, as well as his ability to enlist
support from the Lewis-Green forces
of the national Mine Workers union.
may result in a clever demOnstra ton
of a very practical method of defeat
ing the purpose of the new law. 1t is
known that Howat is not opposed to
the necessity of moving his men from
one field to another when working
conditions are not to his liking. And
the Industrial court bill will not be in
troduced with Dositi < view of filling
Howat's cup with Joy and gladness.
Removal Would Be Easy.
1t is a rather simple matter to re-
move the few thousand union miners
from the Kansas fields, state house
visitors declared today. The Kansas
organization is a small unit in the ma
tional union, Rather than face sure
defeat thru an anti-strike law in this
state 1t is declared that the men
would be transferred to states where
greater freedom is accorded mine
Practically all union workers in the
Kansas fields could readily find em-
ployment in Missouri, oklahoma ana
Arkansas and would not leave the
Howat district Should 1t be neces-
sary TO send men to other districts,
union heads in illinois would be ex--
pected to extend a glad hand to the
Kansas pilgrims. Illinois and kansas
union heads stood together IN the re-
cent nationwide strike policies ana
opposed proposals for settlement OF
disputes and orders to return the men
to the mines. So. the Illinois union
might gladly care for any unemploy-
ment among Kansas workers.
The fact that a large majority OF
the mine workers would be required
TO move but a short distance is an
other feature which has not been
overlooked in presenting the possible
plan to escape the industrial court
own little real estate and their per
sonal effects might easily be moved.
Railway Men May Move.
Another course open to labor union
men is removal of office forces to Mis-
souri,. 1t was suggested today that
such action might be. taken by rail-
way employees. as well as union men
in other corporation service. Strike
orders might then be issued from an
other state and the officers would
escape felony provisions of the act
workers obeying strike orders would
be guilty of a misdemeanor under
present provisions of the bill. Wheth-
CT such workers could be prosecuted
under a state law for obeying an order
issued from another state is a legal
question which might require court
decision.
Since Governor Allen suggested cre-
alton of an industrial court for Kansas
and called a special session of the
state legislature to pass such a meas
ure there has been an ominous ST.
lence from organized labor heads.
Persons who are declared to be In
touch with labor plans assert that re-
novaI of the mine workers to other
states is a course now under consider
alton. Thus Governor Allen might re-
call his volunteers to service until
sufficient number of non-union work
ers could be assembled to handle state
coal production.
Threatened Removal Before.
That President Howat does not hesi-
tate to move his men from one field to
another has been rn1de evident on sew
eral occasions. Once during Governor
Capv.er's administration. there was
dispute between operators and mine
workers as to wages and working con-
ditions in the Usage county field.
Howat came to a conference in the
state house and advised Governor Cap
per that IL the demands of his men
were not met he would remove every
union man from the field. Now there
is a belief that the district president
may meet Kansas legislative action by
sending his men to work with half
million other union mine workers in
other states