The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-16
Collective Bargaining RecOg-
nized i'm Vote Today.
Lively Industrial Bill Debate in
Legislature Today.
AGITATION FROM THE OUTSIDE
GeddeS Says Kansas Labor Suf-
fers From Tyranny.
Fourteen Sections of Measure
Are Out of Way.

Recognition of the right of collec-
tive bargaining is to remain in the in
dustrial court bill. The house today
after several hours of heated debate
defeated the Geddes motion to strike
the provision from the proposed en-
actment. Later the house substituted
a modified and rsore clearly defined
provision by the senate judiciary COM
mittee.
Fight over the Geddes motion to
strike Section IA from the bill was
one of the features of the lively house
debate oyer various sections of the bill.
The house had previously voted to
adopt the Simpson amendment to pro-
vide for price regulation by whole
salers, manufacturers, middle men
and retailers. 1t had adopted the Nc
Dermott amendment putting ban on
sympathy strikes. But it refused to
pass the bill without a provision COW
ering collective bargaining. On roll
call the house voted 63 to AZ against
the Geddes motion.
Geddes closed his fight with Bit
ter arraignment of radical labor ef
forts to arouse unrest among content
ed workers The fight on his motion
had been directed by Tom Harley of
Douglas introducer of the industrial
court bill. Brooks of Chautauqua. and
other members Martin of Reno,
Harvey of Clark and Simpson of Nc
Pherson were among Goddess strong
supporters. Geddes in his closing
and disturbers with seeking to arouse
| unrest in the Kansas oil fields.
Shaclsles on Union Labor.
Where are these shackles of
| bondage on union labor?" demanded
| cndlaG IN ranlV a CnePCh hV
Brooks. SHOW them to me-" said the
Butler county member as he asserted
that it was unnecessary to put a coll
lective bargaining clause in the bill in
had justs as well write in the bill the
right of labor to work and IL you take
/ 1t out to argue that you have taken
! away the right to work.
| .s'Why was it recently necessary to
ltry to uniouize the oil fields labor?''
| asked Geddes, when labor was happy
until a move was made to unionize
the field. There was no dispute as
| to hours, wages or working conditions.
Kansas Labor All Right.
at am not afraid of Kansas labor
| and its Judgment. But the danger is
| from without Kansas labor is COM
PEELED to submit to the tyranny from
agitators from without who require
our workers to submit to their will
|
| scribe to the doctrine that Kansas
wants to please labor under this con-
troll and domination without regard
for property and safety. By Section
I14 you have invited, nay encouraged
and promoted continuation of the
development of power of union labor
in this country. You had Just as well
awake to the fact that this is a con-
dition which must be dealt with.
This is not the time to quibble
about rights. This power which is
| constantly talking about its rights isn't
looking for its duty 1t is the only
power which ever told the American
government what it, must do. That
power was used when labor forced the
passage of the Adamson act in con-
gress."
Following defeat OF the Geddes mo-
ton, Hegler of Sedgwick moved to
!, substitute the senate section of the
bill for the house provision. The mo-
ton carried 55 to 20. Martin of Reno
then sought to amend the section by
making the bill read contract in
stead of bargaining" The motion
was beaten.
With fourteen sections of the bill
out of the way the house has made
but two vital changes-the Simpson
and McDermott amendments. A num-
ber of. senate committee amendments
to the bill have been adopted.