The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-13
PROBE CAPITAL
And LABOR FOR
Their REVENUE
Kansas Legislators VIII Con-
duet Own Investigation.
Committee May Be Appointed
to Report Next Session.
CHARGES FROM BOTH SIDES
Labor Has Hurled Figures on
Capitals Big Profits.
People Have a Right to Know
Facts and Figures.

Kansas legislators may exercise
their powers and take a look at the
| books of operators of a number of
essential industries and also inquire
into the use of funds of labor union
! interests. Such q course has for sew
eral days been hinted in the legislative
lobbies and was publicly mentioned
for the first time by Frank L. Martin,
of Reno county, when he fired a series
of questions at w. l.. Higgins, author
of the labor court bill. One plan is to
appoint joint legislative investigation
committee which will report to the
law makers during the 1921 session.
Since the labor court bill was first
discussed there has been much con-
tention as to the just operation of the
law as affecting the employer and the
employe. Representatives of the en-
ployers interests have told legislators
that the lid should be closed tight
against frenzied liberties of union Agi-
tators. And the union representatives
told the law makers that it was un-
necessary to regulate. restrict or pun
ish labor. They wanted capital taken
by the collar and kicked from the
hail.
Give Facts and Figures
Now there is prospect that the
legislature may look into the matter.
Today several members urged that a
resolution be framed calling upon
mine operators, packers and other op-
orators of essential industries to ap-
pear before the legislature and tell
something of their operating expenses,
revenues and profits The same reso-
unions to disgorge facts that are dis
tributed reluctantly to the general
public. Union heads would be asked
to give factS-and figures as to dues
collected, persons who receive the
money and services performed.
Once during lake Shanna arOIi-
ment before the legislature a repre-
sentative of the Kansas Federation of
Labor, a house member, suggested
! that the mine workers union paid
Phil Gallery, the unions general at
torney, a salary of $4,000 a year.
Sheppard did not expression or ven
ture comment on the statement. 1t
was also stated from the floor that
thousands of dollars are spent for the
service of walking delegates and agi-
tators.
On the other hand labor union
speakers have charged that the mine
operators have made immense for
tunes thru increased charges for fuel.
In a statement to the legislature
Frank P. Walsh said that action by
two members of the industrial court
would provide rulings which would
mean eighty million dollars a year to
the packing house interests in Kansas.
| Have a Right to Know.
| I'VE have heard a lot of statements
! here" said Representative Martin,
land some of US want to find out just
what the coal operators and some OF
the other interests really are making.
If it is o per cent or 100 per cent, we
want to know and have a, right to
I know"
Several suggestions have been made
for a JOINT committee to investigate
actions and operation of the labor
unions as we'll as the profits of mine
| operators and packers. Not since the
1907 session of the legislature has a
joint committee been named to in
, vestigate profits of any private cor
poration. At that time John A. Ed.
wards of Greenwood county headed q
stockyards investigating committee. II
a report, Edwards stated that it cost
more to keep a steer in the stoclyards
than to buy the same amount of space
in the Baltimore hotel with telephone
bath. brass BED. rugs n'everything.
Now the legislature may call upor
officials of the employers and the en-
ployes to show just where the money
comes from and where it goes. Or e
joint committee may gather informa
ton for use before the regular session
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