The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-26
HITS LABOR LOBBY
Representative Martin in Sting
ing Speech in House.
Body Supports Report Favor
: ing Gilman Bill.
CREATE STATE INDUSTRY BOARD
Step Follows Judiciary Major
= ity Against Measure.
WyandOtte Scion Cites Work of
ObstructiOnist AgitatOrs.


by a vote of "a to 40 the house to-
dday rejected a report of the majority
membership of the judiciary commit
tee which had voted to kill the Gill
man bill creating a state board of la
boz and industry. a minority report
by Martin of Reno and four other
committee members was adopted and
the labor lobby was turned back in
its seeming successful efforts to block
passage of the Gilman measure.
House members declared they were
willing TO dispose of the bill whether
X required two days or two weeks.
Martin singed the labor lobby in one
ofthe bitterest speeches of the session.
eThere was joy in the labor camps
this morning when it was reported
that the house. committee had killed
the Gilman bill. An hour later the
JOY turned to gloom. The author OF
the bill had been called home by the
death of his wife. But the attempt of
committee members to strangle the
bal without consideration of all OF It's
provisions was blocked when the facts
were presented on the floor.
eOp1onents of the bill sought TO
Tighten house members by telling
and that a week-maybe two weeks
would be required to dispose OF the
measure. That didn't frighten the
members in the least. They adopted
the minority report signed by Martin;
freeman, McIvor, McDermott ana
Rrooks. Then the bill was sent back
To the committee for further consid-
Grafton and amendments. But the
cornmittee will work under instruc-
tons to report the bill for passage.
sI Keep Legislature at 1t.
t-I believe there is merit in this
bill" said Harley of Douglas, VINO nao
voted with the committee majority,
..but If it is taken up on the floor at
this late hour, 1 promise you that l
cansoffer enough amendments 70 Keep
this legislature here two weeks.
EGaryin of Stafford said he didn
want to stage another war OF the law
vars He much preferred that the
S+afe struggle along under the old
law regardless of the demands OF EN-
movers for representation equal VIII
that of the employees.
ERarrier of Greenwood asserted that
an effort was being made TO XII! the
Gilman bill when the author could not
be present and urged support VI '
minority report.
committee, told the house that the
committee had considered the pili
carefully and that members shouIo
support the majority recommends,
tfons. He asserted the bill was fllleo
With jokers and was stab at the IN
dustrial welfare commission. FREE
man of Wyandotte, who signed the
minority report, answered Hegler by
asserting that the committee had new
er considered all of the provisions IN
the bill.
FsIf there is such haste and demand
to 90 home" said Freeman, 1.-The state
might we'll let those men go. 1t would
be better for the state If men VINO
want fair and impartial legislation stay
here and fight this out"
Amos of Shawnee wanted the Dill
killed. He said adequate provision was
already made for the employer and
that the interests of the department
were the interests of the employe.
4"This labor bureau" said Cloud OF
K-ingman, sis the most one sided de-
partment in Kansas. And l resent the
irnputations of some of its represen-
tatiVes. When any one says we mus
do what they demand. then I am will
ing to call their bluff. There isn't
member of this committee who has
rot said this bill has merit. If it has
then let's all take a look at it..
1.-THE reason they want this bill
killed. declared Martin of Reno, 'lS
the fact that we found that the law
yers don't know anything about the
labor and mining laws of TINS state
We have given most of our time tc
hearing grievances of the welfare de-
parJment."
Martins Attack on Labor.
Then Martin paid his compliments
to the strong arm tactics of certain
labor interests.
s'When we were rushing our boy!
across the country and sending then
to France, the labor unions of th1
country threatened to tie up the rail
roads of this country if they were no
given a wage increase. Like a rat tina
Rms for shelter, the national admins
tration gave in. You know, gentle
men, that is the truth 1 want to tel
You we have got to face these prob
lens.
III want to tell you further that tn
men who belong to labor unions ar
not the only people who labor. l an
for the honest laborer. But the kline
of labor organizations L am against /
the kind who have no regard for fai
play, for the flag and for the law AM
who will commit crime to gain thei
point. 1 don't believe that when tn
wolf comes Rowling at our door tina
We should feed him a baby in orde
10 keep him quiet and make the res
of the family feel a little more com
f9rtable and secure. 1 am an employ
ers of labor. But 1 never employed
man who wasn't willing to work 70
the wages for the hours L fixed.
think the man who pays labor has
right to a hearing and a right to repre-
sentation on this board"
On q standing vote the minority re
port was adopted and the house late
sent the bill back to the judiciar
committee with instructions that tn
measure should be reported for pas
sage.