The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-26
TO OPEN FIFTEEN
MINES THIS week
is PLAN OF STATE
First Direct Move for Relief of
Fuel Shortage Here.
fIon Are Asked To Report TO
sStaTe Labor Commissioner.
SOLDIER EQUIPMENT TO 60
1t VIII Be Used for Housing
Volunteers in Mine District.
Governor Says He Has No Time
To Argue With HOwat.
SOLDIER EQUIPMENT TO 60

Governor Allen will issue call late
this afternoon for not less than 1000
volunteers to operate dinky and strip
mines in Crawford and Cherokee
counties. Additional men will doubt
less be enrolled later as plans are
completed for operating the big steam
shovcls and cranes. At least fifteen
mines are to be opened this week
under direction of the governor and
the state receivership.
Housing conditions confronting the
state in the call for volunteer workers
is being largely overcome. Charles /
Martin, adjutant general has found
number of vacant houses which may
be used by the miners. Equipment of
the national guards may also be sent
into the mining camps in order that
sleeping quarters and proper food are
provided for the workers. Governor
Allen believes the fine spirit of the
volunteers viii offset the work of the
more experienced but more or less
slothful and dissatisfied miners.
Operate AH Strip Mines.
Practically every strip mine of con-
sequence in the southeastern Kansas
field will be operating by the end OF
the week. the governor believes. In
his call today he will ask workers to
report in Topeka to John H Crawford,
state labor commissioner. The men
will then be organized into groups and
sent to the various mining camps. The
question of transportation had not
been fully worked out this afternoon.
Governor Allen declared, tho, that his
general plans for state operation weDe
complete and his call for today would
be for at least 1000 men,
Included in the lists of volunteer
workers already available are many
experienced miners. It is the COVER
nor's purpose to place experienced
-gr-ffn -Tr-irN
mines. At least 25 80 trained
shovel engineers are needed by the
state in addition to the crew of volun-
teers who have already enlisted their
services. Receivers Semple and Gait
skill will be in charge of general oper
atoms. Cai;slSin qualified today when
he filed his oath and bond with the
supreme court. A third receiver may
not be named for several days.
Looks for Good Showing.
"I believe the unframed mine work
crs VIII make a wonderful showing,
Governor Alien asserted today at a
conference with newspaper men. II
am willing to back their spirit against
their lack of technical knowledge and
believe they will provide a surprisingly
large tonnage. We need some expert
enced men for steam shovels and
cranes. No effort viii be made to oper-
ate the deep mines at this time"
The men who go to the coal fields
will be given ehe wage allowed union
mine workers under the contract
which wGs declared to have been in
effect when the miners laid down their
tools and shut off the nations fuel
supply The entire operation will be
under state direction and the move
ment and marketing of coal will be in
charge of the receivers appointed by
the supreme court.
Can't Argue With Howat.
Governor Alien refused to discuss
the Alexander Howat telegram when
he returned to Topeka today after a
second visit to the mining camps.
Howat and his associates have used
their efforts to block the governor in
his effort 10 secure coal In his latest
telegram to a lieutenant. Howat de-
clared: Governor Allen is not goint
to outline the policy on which the
business of our rganization is going
to be conducted"
Asked for an expression as to the
attempt of the mine workers leader
ship to force submission to their de-
mands thru the freezing process, the
governor sidestepped personal dis
cussion.
I have no time to argue with
Howat, said the governor. 81 am too
busy trying to get some COAL
The governor expressed the belief
that the state would be able to operate
at least fifteen mines in a few DAYS.
There are $50 properties in the Craw-
ford d-Cherokee field under the state
receivership.
Direct Work From Topeka.
It is Governor Aliens plan to direct
the coal production campaign from
Topeka for several days. He may re-
turn to the mining camps next week
This afternoon General Martin and
his staff are completing arrangements
for the care of volunteer workers I.
is probable that a large amount of
equipment will be sent to Pittsc--~g and