South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-15
KANSAS SETS UP
COURT To STOP
INDUSTRIAL WARS
Legislature Establishes Com
mission With Powers to End
Strikes and LoCk-outS.

TOPEKA. Kas. Feb. 1.-THE /.
state industrial relations court es-
tablished BY the legislature in spe-
ciaI session last month has well de- /
ened powers 20 put an end 10 strikes :
In essential industries ia Kansas. |
state officials declare that Kansas is {
the arst state ia the nation 20 enact
q law providing for the elimination /
q such strikes as would affect pub
tic interest The new court IS given
broad powers and sufficient teeth"
we're placed iu the law. if IS claim
cd. 10 put industrial asitators out of
business IN Kansas
Aroused by the industrial crisis
that came 20 a head i'm the coal
strike. Gov. n. j. Allen called a spe-
cIal session the legislature in ses-
sion on Jan. Q. % enact some law
which would make a repetition Of
such an event impossible. The plan
for the establishment Of n court of
three members 10 which industrial
controversies In essential industries
must be referred was embodied in
oil which was placed before the
legislature. The final vote on the
measure. which in its final draft
differed but slightly from the orig
nal bill. was s. TO IN the houas
and 90 20 in the senate.
Spectacular Session.
The special session OF three
weeks wac one OF the most specimen
lar in the history Of the state. Both
labor unions and employers mar
shaIled their forces here 10 defeat
the bill A full week was devoted
TO speeches before a joint session of
he two houses by orators represent
ing labor unions. employers and
the public. Frank =. Walsh. for
mer chairman OF the federal indus
trial relations commission. talked q
full day. denouncing the proposed
law IN the most vigorous language.
He represented labor as did sew
eraI other speakeTs-lawyer and
union officials. The public's cham
pion was ". T.. Higgins. a member
OF the state public utilities commits
sion. He confined his address TO
two hours Realizing the strong
sentiment in favor Of the measure,
before the bill was up for discus
sion the labor leaders gave up the
fight and we're no longer seen in the
state house Hobbies. On the other
hand many laboring men OF the
more conservative type. have de
clared they see fair play in the bill
and are for H.
What Law Provides.
The outstanding provisions OF the
new law are:
Creates a court OF three members
appointed by the governor. with ad-
ministrative powers; salary 5000
year each.
New court takes over all duties
and powers OF public utilities com
mission.
Provides punishment for persons
seeking to close down any essential
industry by strike or lockout.
Penalties for persons fostering
strikes or conspiring to foster
ing strikes or conspiring to foster
strikes In transportation or essential
industries.
Enables state operation OF in
dustries in emergencies.
Production and transportation Of
clothing. fuel and foodstuffs invest
ed with public interest and place
unUer powers OF the court.
Probe Wages and Conditions.
Court has authority to investigate
wages and living conditions and all
complaints relative thereto. and TO
make orders regulating the matters
Investigations may be made by
the court on its own initiative. al
the request OF either party or on pc
tition OF 10 persons.
Guarantees under direct proyi-
sions OF bin FOR fair wages TO labor
and fair return TO employer on in
vested capital.
Direct appeal may be taken TO
supreme court
Right OF collective bargaining
recognized.
Sympathy strikes prohibited; al
so "picketing."
Both misdemeanor and felony
provisions made in penalties clause
Industrial workers violating the law
may be fined not 10 exceed $1,000.
officers of any labor organization
employer or official OF any corpora
ton violating the law may be sent
creed 90 imprisonment not 20 eN-
coed two years. or fned not 10 ex-
coed $4,000 or both
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
Spridon o. Stratigos. 81. South
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