The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-27

The spirit of Kansas responded to-
day. THANKSGIVING day, to the call for
] 900 volunteer coal miners by Gov.
Henry j. Allen to save the people of
Kansas from untold suffering a re-
suit of the national coal strike
The same men who left homes and
loved ones two years ago to fight for
hazy ideal of democracy today
answered ready when Governor
Allen appealed to them to volunteer
for task which would save the state
from the rigors of winter without
coal.
The appeal for 1000 men was an
swered by full that many men from
all parts of the state. according to re-
ports 'raeeiy cd from the state house
today. Names and numbers Of volun-
teers were refused at the governors
office today. 1t was stated that with
volunteers reporting by the hundreds.
elimination of some would be neces-
sary and that final 'igur 9s would be
withheld until officials in charge of
organization had reviewed the situa-
ton after the frsu day.
Service Men Ready.
From early this morning until a late
hour this afternoon. messenger boys
hurried into the governors office with
telegrams from all parts of the state,
offering volunteers A majority of
these volunteers, the governor stated,
were eX-service men. Fully 100 To-
pekans volunteered this morning.
The first telegram came from the
American Legion at Wichita. pledging
200 volunteer coal miners. Another
telegram from the commercial club
there pledged that body to furnish all
equipment necessary for the men leaV-
ing for the southeastern coal fields
from that city.
Three volunteer steam shovels.
worth thousands of dollars. were vol
unteered to the state before 10 o'clock
this morning. The receipt of this in
formation pleased Governor Allen
more than any message received dur
ing the day.
1865 Tons a Day.
That means that We ar" absolutely
certain of 900 tons of coal day If
. every other steam shovel in the state
refuses to work" said Governor Allen.
Work Of organization in preparing
for the sending of the men to the coal
fields opened Immediately. John H.
Crawford, state labor commissioners,
opened a recruiting office in the gov
ernor's outer office at 9 o'clock. From
the governors office, w. G. Morse. as
sistant labor commissioner at Kansas
CITY, Kan, was directed to open a
recruiting office in that city. Like
directions were wired to James Sher-
wood. state mine inspector at Pitts
burg.
Men Leave Here Saturday.
Clyde NJ. Reed. the governors secre-
tary, was in consultation with railroad
men relative to the transportation
problem involved in the states attempt
to operate the strip mines in south
eastern Kansas. The volunteers It
was stated. will be shipped to Pitts
burg in squads from Topeka and KAN
sas City, beginning Saturday.
Charles 1. Martin, adjutant general,
and Governor Allen were in consulta-
ton relatives to the housing of the men
IN the strip mines located at half a
dozen different points in the coal dis
trict General Martin will leave for
Pittsburg in advance of the volunteer
workers and will prepare for their
quarters and for their feeding.
Tents To Be Used.
General Martin today issued a re-
quest for volunteer cooks and ex-mess
sergeants to take charge of the feed
ing of the men. The general stated
that there are a few vacant houses
= in the coal district which will be
pressed into service to house the