The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-12
USE TROOPS IF
NECESSARY TO
ENFORCE LAW
Governor viii Confer With Ad-
iutant General Late Today.
Wholesale Arrests of Strike
Leaders Is Contemplated.
SPREAD TO OTHER STATES?
State Officials Hear HOwat
Forces Plan Finish Fight.
!. w. w. and Communists Back
Miner Chief, Is Report
State Officials Hear HOWat
Forces Plan Finish Fight.
I. w. w. and Communists Back
Miner Chief, Is Report
ISSUE 200 SUBPOENAS TODAY
AgitatOrs viii Be Asked to Dis
close HOwat Program.
Railroad Strike OF Little Signif-
icance, Belief Here.

Kansas may again take over
operation of coal mines in the
Pittsburg fields. Reports in the
state house today are to the eff
feet that Governor Allen is pre-
pairing for drastic action in
meeting the strike situation if
the men do not return to work.
Wholesale arrests as well as pos
sible use Of troops are contem-
plated in a showdown fight for
the industrial court act.
While Governor Allen today
declined to outline or discuss his
plans, he made clear that the
state will not tolerate defiance
of the law by the mine workers.
The governor conferred with in
dustrial court members at Pitts
burg in telephone conversations.
IT is reported that Charles I.
Martin, adjutant general, will
confer with the governor late
this afternoon. In view of the
fact that the situation is not so
critical as during the coal strike
Of last winter, less haste may be
shown by the state. Neverthe-
less. persons in touch with pro-
posed state action, today as
serted that Governor Allen will
meet the issue without delay.
VIII Act First, Talk Later.
THE Industrial court will be en-
forced just the same as any other
law" Governor Allen told newspaper
Representatives at the daily conference.
'I prefer to ret and talk later"
It today seemed hardly probable
that the state would await court deci-
sions as to the constitutionality of the
industrial court law before proceed
ing against the mine workers and their
chiefs. Ie today's general idleness in
the mining camps is not greatly re-
lieved Immediately. there is n feeling
that Governor Allen may proceed at
once.
See a Finish Fight.
Information which has come to state
officials in the last few days indicates
possibility Of a general strike extend
ing to other states in event an effort
is made to enforce the Kansas law.
such a course would indicate clearly
that an organized movement is behind
the Howat demonstrations in the Pitts
burg district Officials of the mine
workers union would be involved in
the drive of the state thru enforce
ment of the new law
There is a belief in the state house
that forty or fifty per cent of the min
crs would work for the state in event
Governor Allen again took over oper-
alton Of the mining industry. Such
steps are contemplated by officials In
state circles a.s soon as il Is definitely
determined that the present idleness
Is for the purpose of restricting pro-
duc;ion. a move by the state to again
take over the mines would mean a
finish fight In view of the fact that
no general move has been made by
railroad brotherhoods to join train
mems strikes. that issue is regarded as
Of secondary importance in Kansas.
The real battle would be with the
miners,
Martin at Pittsburg Now.
Resumption OF state operation of
the mines would result in another call
for volunteers and the probable calling
OF state troops for protection OF work
crs. Asked today concerning such a
course, Governor Allen said he had
not reached a definite decision and
preferred to act before he talked
That general suspension of work in
the PittsourE field viii call for an
early decision and probably quick
action by the state, is the opinion OF
officials in touch with conditions in
the mining camps, General Martin
went TO Pittshurg several days ago to
study conditions. His report will be
made directly to the governor.
Say 7. W. W. VIII Back Howat.
Information secured by the court OF