New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Howat Accused of Violat-
ing Injunction in Not
Sending Kansas Work
ers Back as Ordered
Attitude Declared
Openly Defiant
Palmer Asserts Operators
Will Be Forced to APP
pear Before Mediators
Special Corrcspondenc.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 22.-Alex
Howat, one of the leaders of the
United Mine Workers and president
Of the Kansas district of that or
ganization, which has had 364
strikes in less than three years, was
locked up in the Marion County jail
here this afternoon on the order of
Judge A. B. Anderson, of the United
States District Court.
In remanding Howat to custody
Judge Anderson said he desired time
to consider what should be the sum
of Howat's bond to insure his ap-
pearance in court next Monday,
when evidence is to be introduced
on the charge of contempt against
lowat, growing out of alleged dis
obedience Of the coal strike iniunc-
ton order issued by Judge Ander-
son.
The action of the court was fore
shadowed at proceedings this morn
ing, during the course of which
Judge Anderson said:
Either I have to vindicate the law
OF abdicate in favor of Mr.. Howat."
Howat's Radicalism a Handicap
1t was declared here tonight that Of
ncers Of the United Mine Workers are
not in sympathy with Howat. and that
the international organization has been
given considerable trouble by his rad
ical ay of handling affairs in his dis
trict. For several days groups of his
followers in the Kansas fields have been
threatening to strike if he should be
punished for contempt. and to-day be-
fore Judge Anderson had taken any ac-
tlon 250 men in the Pittsburg district
quit work, declaring they would not re-
turn until he was cleared of the charge
against him. 1t is not thought, how
ever, that this movement will assume
serious proportions, although the Howat
case Is likely to cause considerable dis
cusslon at the special convention of the
mine worners which is to meet in Co
the coal strike settlement.
AT the hearing this morning Judge
Anderson scored Howat for preventing
complete resumption of coal mining in
Kansas.
Defiance of Law Charged
This man." said the court, "has
openly and defiantly disobeyed the law.
Ihls court and the law have been defed
N ct0 ho
Jaw is to be upheld. Either I must do
1t, or we must acknowledge that the
organization for which he stands is
supreme to the government. This
man violations must stop, or | will
PIT him in cell and keep him there" "
Inc Judge instructed Howat to ap-
pear IN the afternoon, when it would
DC decided under what conditions he
would be held until the hearing Mon
day
When the court reconvened after
luncheon Judge Anderson asked Henry
Marrum, general counsel of the United
Mlhe Workers, who appeared for Howat,
"hat he had to suggest.
Nothing was the reply" "except
Mr. Howat asks as to the amount of
bond he is to furnish"
That's matter of so Nerious con-
tern, &c said the, court, that want time
Lever Act Held Still Operative
Reviewing the case, Judge Anderson
asserted that the Lever act. under which
me action was brought. was still in
Ierce The law had been defined and
.he ofAcials of the coal miners organ
'~auoh had knowledge of that definition.
No~, said the court, "the question
~, nat shall do? 1t is perfectly
ram mat TINS man has not in good
.a''h attempted to comply with the or
uef OF TINS court. 1t is quite apparent
that there is ample ground for the
grand jury to bring a bill against him
lor felony. What should do under
me circumstances? Why, hold him. of
course. That is what l have to do
NOW have continued this case +o
a llme when he could get counsel sc
ne wants, and the government can oat
ITS witnesses here to prove az ~
whether he has been contumacious
and IN the meantime am going to hold
'ais man right here under the jurfs-
olcton OF TINS court"
Then turning to Mark Storen. United
st2tes marshal, the court said
Marshal nut Mr.. Howat in Jail"
Eowat Taken to Cell
Mr. Storen took Howat to his office
and passed him along to c. f. Wicker
deputy United States marshal. who
escorted Howat to the Marion County
jail '"'S
1t was said that William Green. sec
Te'ary-treasurer Of the United Mine
WORKERS, had arranged with Andrew
smith, of the Indiana National Bank
10 nave security company bond pro
vided for Howat similar to the bonds
gwen several days ago for other gen
erai era and district officers of the United
Nine Workers.
howat was arrested several days ago
IN Kansas. The United States Com
missioner at Fort Scott, Kan, sent on
70 lndipnapolis lhe commissioners
eheck for $4,000. 1t appears that an
rui'orney at Fort Scott agreed to 20 on
mowat's bond, and it is supposed the
TT''orney drew chelk in favor of the
ulhl'ed States Commissioner, and then
sne commissioner drew a check and
ssh' 1t on to Indianapolis. The check
rs. mas presumably intended to be of the
nS.ure n OF a security that Howat would
give bond. 1t is not, however. re-
sssoed as bond here. Judge Anderson
81 ION n,,