The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-10
StatehOuse Officials Regard
Miners Latest Move Crucial.
Governor Expected to Hasten to
Scene of Strike.
HOWAT TO SUPREME COURT
Miner Chiefs Lawyers to Fight
for His Release.
Think Conservative Workers
VIII Return to Jobs.

The miners strike may force an in
dustrial court showdown.
All forecasts were to the effect that
miners in the Crawford Cherokee
county field would strike in protest
against the sending of Howat and his
associates to Jail. A number of per-
sons in the district. however, believe
the men will remain idle but a few
days. Action may be taken by the
industrial court Immediately. The
course of the miners is expected to
force a show down" regarding en-
forcement of the new labor court act
by the state.
Governor Allen left Thursday night
for Kansas City to confer with Rich
ard ]. Hopkins, attorney general, who
was sent to Rosedale to investigate the
switchmen's strike. In view of the
fact that the switchnlen's strike con-
tinued only few hours, the governor
and attorney general may immediate
ly turn their attention to the coal
strike. Action by Howat and his as
sociates indicates a carefully planned
move to force a decision as to the
validity and successful operation of the
new law, according to state house Of
ficials.
Members of the court of industrial
relations have been in Pittsburg all
week. They have been unable. how
ever, to go into the general mining
| problems owing to the numerous
minor complaints filed and because of
the action Of heads of the mine work
ers' union. Friday Judge Curran SEN
fenced Howat and three of his asso-
ciates to Jail for contempt of court in
refusing 20 answer a summons from
the Industrial court. The men are now
in jail at Girard.
Immediately following action by
Judge Curran, plans we're laid for to-
days strike, according to reports re-
| ceived in Topeka. 1t is the belief of
a number of state officials that the
| conservative element in the mine
workers union will refuse to stay on a
| strike. 1t is also probable the radi-
Gals will refuse to return to their jobs
| until Howat is released. Under the
order by Judge Curran Howat must
make the next move. Heiwill be held
until he testifies.
What of Individual Strikers?
The states course in enforcing the
| law against individual strikers is a
matter of greatest interest and con-
cern in today's strike proceedings.
| Under the law each striker is deemed
I guilty of a misdemeanor and is sub
! ject to fine and jail sentence. Lead
ers and agitators are guilty of felony
and subject to prison sentence. Under
J this law the state may gain num-
! Der of first class coal diggers for the
state prison mines at Lansing, 1t is
| said.
| In event the men refuse to return %
their jobs. wholesale arrests may be
ordered in the Pittsburg field Such
action would force an absolute test of
the state law both as to its constitu-
tionality and successful operation.
Stockades would be necessary if the
individual strikers were arrested. State
troops might also be required if dis
turbances occurred among the strikers
and the strike sympathizers.
Seek Howats Release.
Attorneys for Howat and his lieu
/ tenants are expected to file habeas
| corpus proceedings in the supreme
court seeking release of the men pend
| ing court review of the case. The gov
| ernor's course in meeting the i'm
portant situation has not been defined.
No steps will be taken, It is believed,
until he has discussed the situation
with both Hopkins and court judges.
| The discussion may be held in Pitts
! l1+1