The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
Judge Anderson Lays Probe
Evidnece BfOre Jury.
VIII Push Investigation of Col
lusion With Miners.
SAYS VIOLATION WAS DEFIANT
Strike Leaders May Get Their
Share of Blame.
Indicates That "Check-0ut7
System VIII Prove COllusion.

indianapolis. Ind, Dec. IL
Whether we shall be governed by law
or by threats and force" was the issue
put before a federal grand jury which
began here today the investigation of
charges of colIusion between miEers
and operators.
Judge a. B. Anderson put the in-
formation in the hands of the jurors
al / a. m. today The jurors, Judge
Anderson said. must determine IL the
miners and operators have worked to-
gether to violate the Lever act and
antitrust laws.
Let your conclusions" he said "be
a full answer to a question which has
been uppermost in the minds of our
citizens for the past two weeks: that
is whether the government OF the
United States or a group of men shall
rule this country and whether we shall
be governed by law or by threats and
force"
The grand jury will also investigate
charges that the coal miners violated
the governments anti-strike injunc-
tion by failing to return to work after
the injunction was issued.
Enormous Profits Charged.
You will investigate fully this de-
fiant violation of the criminal law of
the country" Anderson informed the
jury.
The court laid particular stress
act. Little time was devoted to the
antitrust law.
1T is charged that since the pas
sage of the Lever act" the court said.
the mine owners or operators have
made enormous profits and that these
profits have been made by handling
the business in certain particulars In
violation of the statute to which 1
, have called your attention.
I'VE have heard much of increased
Il
number of days which miners are al
! lowed to work and the manipulation
of coal dealers as well as operators
| 1t is said that by a system agreed
| upon between the miners and opera
! tors, the dues of the miners to their
unions are paid by a so-called check
out system by the mine operators
( themselves"
Howat Case Up Monday.
1t was pointed out that in conspiracy
cases witnesses may be summoned
+, from any section of the country with
out regard to federal court districts
The grand jury Investigations follow
| by a day further continuance OF
charges of criminal contempt against
eighty-four officials of the United
Mine Workers OF America. With one
exception the hearing of contempt
J charges went over until such a time
as the government or attorneys for
the defendants see fit to bring the
| case before the court.
The exception was the case OF Alex
ander Howat. president of the Kansas
district of the mine workers who is
charged with continued violation OF
the federal court injunction by fur
therance of a local strike in Kansas
Howat has been ordered to appear in
court Monday morning.
! d. A. Frampton. Moberly. No. an
other miners official. also is charged
with continued violation Of the in
junction because OF action similar to
that of Howat but no formal order
for his appearance before Judge An
derson has been issued. 1t was stated
today that he will be requested to ap-
pear next week and II he did not. for
NAL action would be taken to obtain
his presence in court.