The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-19
LEADERS
SPLITFOLLOWING
COURT ADOPTION
Stevic and Brown, Radicals,
Blame Conservatives.
Wanted Big Demonstration Be-
fore Legislature.
UNSEH LOBBYISTS, IS PLAN
Report Frank P. Walsh Paid for
Speech Denied.
Audit of Expense Account Is
Eagerly Awaited.
UNSEAT LOBBYISTS, IS PLAN
Report Frank p. Walsh Paid for
Speech Denied.

There Is a barrel of trouble soon
to be opened by the Kansas Federation
Of Labor, according to reports in leg
islative halls. The radicals and the
conservatives have fallen out. Blame
for passage of the industrial court bill
is placed on the conservatives. Radi-
calls led by ]. O. Stevic and Frank
Brown are said to assert that they
could have beaten the bill-at least
have made a better showing on the
roll call-had they been permitted to
carry out their direct contact" plan
Just before the special session con
vened the radicals wanted to move on
the lawmakers en- masse. They wanted
clarion call to the faithful thruout
the state. Their plan was to bring
several thousand labor union men to
Topeka for a big demonstraion-a
parade to the state house, speeches,
crowded galleries, 'neverything. But
the conservatives didn't see it that
way.
In opposition to the Stevic-B Brown
plan 1t was urged that any attempt to
rush the legislature will spell trou-
BILE. The conservatives scented the at
titude of the solons and something
told them to go slow. They feared
that a demonstration would only put
new teeth in the bill and would in
crease public sentiment against the
strike and other methods employed in
securing union demands. This view
was largely the better judgment of
men in touch with conditions. So the
conservatives won.
Measure a Law Soon.
Now the bill is passed and is merely
up to- a conference committee for ad-
iustment of house and senate differ
ences AS soon as these are ironed
tout. the measure will be signed by the
governor and the legislators will start
/, home. -
1t is stated that the radicals are
to make a -iove to unseat the con
servatives who directed the Legislative
/ program. The men in charge of the
| campaign against the bill were, III
I the main. cautious in presentation OF
| their case and sought to sidestep un-
necessary hostility. 1t was probably
as well directed a fight as could have
been possible under the circumstances
according to the judgment Of men
who have had many years experience
! in legislative matters. But the radi-
calls are displeased. And that is the
thing which concerns the public just
at this time.
One story which found its way to
the legislative halls may have started
within the ranks of labor or may have
been originated from outside sources
/ The story was to the effect that Frank
! p Walsh was paid s2,500 for his five
hour speech before the legislature
when he opposed passage of the labor
court act The story is bitterly denied
| Walsh also asserted in his speech
that he gave his services to labor.
Sent for X. C, Reporters.
! There seems to be no doubt, tho
that the labor federation did send fol
a firm of Kansas City reporters. This
firm took the speeches of Legislators
and they are to be transcribed anc
| proba bly, used extensively in the com
| ing campaign. The firms bill is saic
! to have been s1.O64.67. In addition
+, to this item, 1t is reported that the
federation dug up $400 to bring W
! j. Lauck to Topeka from Washington
! Warren E. Pippin also appeared fol
the miners, as did Jake Sheppard
There is said to have been some ex
! pense connected with the trips o.
these men. In addition there are e
large number of federation represen
ltatives. members of legislative com
mittees and workers on foot who have
expense accounts to submit.
The labor lobby opened headquar
tiers in the Throop hotel before tn,
Legislature convened Headquartei
expense, including rooms, meals. tele
phone, telegraph. postage, clerica
help and the general incidentals o
legislative work mnst be paid. Anr
the radicals are said to be whiting 70
a chance to. audit these accounts.