The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05

Republican congressman from Kansas.
They were put under fire because OF
their votes for the Esch-Cumminsl
railroad bill. That the issue might
be clean cut and fully understood, the
organization was placed behind Cox
and word went to every labor union
organizer to sound OUT all candidates
for the legislature. Where they were
favorable to the industrial court law,
they were to be slain November 2.
Gonpers heraIded the day of execu-
tiop. His announcements were re-
peated in Kansas. Workers and or
ganizers went from labor headquarters
in all the cities and big towns. Every
cog in the big wheel had been tested
and the labor machine finished the
campaign with a confidence that was
beautiful to see. This confidence was
at times backed by actual cash.
The sad, sad Story.
And now comes the sad, sad story
the story of the lavish machine that
broke down in the first lap. LABOR
has carried three of the 106 counties
in the state It has not beaten a friend
of the Industrial court law in any con-
tested district. It has lost every labor
county except Bourbon, Crawford and
Sedgwick in the fight on Allen. Even
in these counties it was unable to con-
troll the legislative election or to take
the popular majority from either
Harding or Curtis. Apparently every
member of the two houses who voted
against the industrial court law in the
special session last January is now on
his way back to private life.
In Bourbon county Senator A. M
Keene, Republican, was beaten.
Keene voted against the new court act.
G. o. P. Carries Crawford.
In Crawford county, home of Alex
ander Howat, as well as In Cherokee,
the adjoining mining county, Repuo-
iican candidates openly pledged to the
court law were elected. Representa-
tive 5Shideier was re- elected from the
north Crawford district. Shideler took
his political life in his hands and voted
for the court bill. He was made the
But he won.
In Sedgwick county Governor Allen
lost his home vote. but state senator
and three representatives friendly to
the court act win come to Topeka this
winter. Labette, Montgomery, shaW-
nee, Lyon, Wyandotte, Leayenworth,
Afchison and other labor counties
gave Republican piuraIi,Ies and legis-
lators who will support the court
measure.
Shawnee Was Battlefield.
Shawnee county, perhaps the
strongest labor county in the state as
regards strict organization, was made
tiers was here. Labor publications were
here. And this is the sad story as
told in comparative facts and figures.
After weeks of organization the Ia
Dor forces polled S,542 votes for Davis
in Shawnee county. This was 2,eS2
more than the vote in this county for
Lansdon, Democrat gubernatorial can
didate in 1918. Landsen was un-
known and made no fight. Harding
poIled 1880 votes in the county.
Four years ago Hughes received but
1897 votes in Shawnee.
Senator Curtis, also under fire IN
his home county, came out of the flghr
with only 8,08S plurality. His home
county vote this year was 1855. Six
years ago Shawnee gave him but u,
| 252 votes and plurality OF exactly
1000. But there wasn't. any fight
In the fight one thing was apparent.
Labor was unable TO hold her own
forces. And the issue which was
| forced in the state brought to the Re-
publicans thousands of votes from
men and women who opposed activi-
| ties of the radical labor forces.
The Kansas fight was forced by the
labor organizations. And it was the
record of Howat and other radicals
that put the Republicans out in front
| in every county in the state.