The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-22
Labor Going in for Old Politics
Game in Kansas.
Nay Result in Change in Pres
ent Primary System.
TO CONTROL NOMINATIONS
Every Union Family Urged to
Vote in G. o. P. Primary.
VIII Then Cast Ballot for
"Right" Man in November.
BY 4. L. sHULTZ.

Organized labor is going in for a
game of old school politics in Kansas
this year. If it's apparent purpose is
carried out, some of the forward look
ing gentlemen in Republican politics
may be disposed to admit that the
statewide primary law needs fixing
Just at this time organized labor
with no thought of voting the Repub
iican state and national ticket in No
vember-is planning to go into the Re
publican primary.
There is. of course, just one purpose
in the labor move. That is control of
the nominations. PROBABLY rs per cent
of organized labor isn't so much as
related to the Republican cause, but
that makes no difference. The pri-
mary law was enacted with the avowed
intention of letting the "pee-puT' rule.
So broad minded, generous hearted
cad sclf-styled progressive legislature
fixed the law in such a manner that
the ''pee-puT' from minority party
might help to nominate candidates of
majority party.
Organization More Solid.
Labor will probably go into the cam
paign this year more solidly organ
lied than ever before. Hostility to the.
industrial court act has inspired the
union district managers, vice presi-
dents, secretaries and walking dele
gates to action. There are visions of
slipping jobs if the Allen plan for pro-
lection of the innocent public against
industrial rows should be generally
adopted.
A vote of a member of the hod car
riers' union who whoops it up for the
Democrats in late October and early
November kills a vote of a lifelong
Republican farmer or business man
when properly cast in early August.
All that is necessary is to call for a
Republican ballot on primary day.
Then the voter has the opportunity of
supporting the candidate who is
right" or aiding in the nomination
of weak candidate who might be
defeated by the opposition party in
November.
Eyes on 1921 Legislature. =.
just at this time the leadership in
organized labor has it's eyes on the
1921 legislature. Its purpose is the
repeal of the Industrial court act
According to plans outlined in To-
peka this week, every labor union
member, as well as member of his
Republican primary-especially in dis
tricts where there are legislative con-
tests. These same votes will be de-
llveIe ed, wherever possible, against
Governor Allen. head of the Republic
can state ticket, in the November cleo
Should Governor Allen be named as
the Republican nominee for president
or vice president in Chicago next
month. an even keeneP interest in Re-
publican primaries in Kansas would
be aroused in labor ranks. The Fa d.
cal leadership would then seek the
nomination of a candidate favorable
to their program. Failing to secure
such a nomination, the votes would
be delivered in November to the more
favorable Democrat. 1t is all an old
style game of playing both ends to
win.
To Show Up Primary System.
Some time in June the Democrats
will meet in Topeka to name a hand
picked state ticket. The labor inter-
ests will send their representatives to
the meeting. They are expected to
have a high card in the selection of
candidates for state offices and con-
gressional nominations
Under the broad. benevolent pro-
visions of the Kansas primary law, a
voter may change his politics every
ten minutes. So many of the men