The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-13
Plans Being Laid for lis of His
Lieutenants Also.
Will Not Disturb Idle Miners fr
Peace Continues.
TO START ARRESTS TONIGHT
"Plenty of Jails for Radicals"
Is Aliens Word.
Troops to Act in Event of
Miners Disturbance.

Governor Allen today directed two
drastic moves in the Pittsburg coal
district. He ordered the bringing of
suits in the supreme court this after
noon TO oust Sheriff c. Clint Webb Of
Crawford county and Deputy Sheriff
Wright. Plans were also laid for
criminal prosecution OF Alexander
Howat and 115 of his lieutenarts. The
governors immediate attention will be
given TO the radical leadership in the
coal fields in order to secure obedience
to state law.
Sees Prolonged Contest.
That the refusal of miners to return
TO their jobs is steadily forcing a show
! down. is the opinion in state house
| circles Governor Allen himself ad-
mitted today that finish fight has
/ begun. He forecasts a prolonged con-
/ test In which the law will be upheld
40 immediate steps are to be taken
against the miners he stated, and re-
suits Will be sought thru prosecution
| OF leaders, agitators and disturbers
Any disturbance by the idle miners
I tho. would in a few hours force con-
certed state action.
Directions to oust Sheriff Webb was
Governor Aliens reply today TO the
infla mmatory Howat speech from a
/ balcony of the Crawford county Jaif
Deputy Sheriff Wright must also CO.
II was asserted in the state house this
afternoon, when petitions for the
! custer of the two men were prepared
to be filed with the state supreme
/ court. 1t is asserted that Webb and
Wright violated their oath OF office
when they permitted Howat to Join
in demonstration in his own behalf
! and against the constituted law of the
state.
To Appoint New Sheriff.
The governors orders for removal
of Webb and Wright was given early
this morning after midnight confer
enee with industrial court judges over
the long distance telephone. A petit
tion prepared today by J. X Rankin,
assistant attorney general. and Fred S.
Jackson, attorney for the court of in
dustrial relations. asks immediate sus-
! pension of the two officials. Follow
ing formal hearing of the case. the
order ousting the men from their jobs
4 is asked at the hands OF the supreme
court.
During the suspension of the sher-
iff. the coroner OF Crawford county
will serve under the state law. Fol-
lowing an custer order for Webb's re-
moval from office. the governor would
name a new sheriff.
Start Arrests Tonight.
Action by the state in bringing the
radical leadership of the mine work
ers' union to trial on criminal charges
is generally forecast. In fact, Cover
nor Allen today favored this plan OF
action. Arrests will be ordered. 1t was
asserted. of all of the ll5 mine union
officers subpoenaed to testify before the
industrial court who refused % give
Testimony or sought TO hinder the court
in IT'S work. A large number OF arr
rests may be made tonight
Not before Thursday. state officials
believe. will the states course regard
ing the idle miners be outlined. Dis
turbances by the idle miners would
call for earlier action. State troops
would be required to handle the IT,
900 men who refuse to work.
"Our first step will be to take care
OF the mine union leadership that 10
causing the trouble" Governor Allen
: said today. This is to be a long. hard
fight and won't be settled in a day.
1.-THE test is TO be made in the Pittsburg
district and the state OF Kansas win
enforce the law. ] believe hundreds
tof men who don't know what this 10
all about will return to their work and
win be perfectly contented as soon as
II is made clear that the radical lead
: ership IS TO be broken up"
Prosecute Howst CriniinaiIy.
Alexander Howat is himself making
tthe transfer from the frying pan to
the fire. The district president is to
, be prosecuted criminally. His affairs
!, with the Kansas courts OF justice Will
not end when the contempt proceed
: tings are out of the way.
At least. probably two criminal
, charges are to be filed against Hovat-
His speech Monday afternoon to the
idle miners is believed by state Off
cials to constitute clear violation of
. both the industrial court act and the
: anti-syndicsli lisn Law. Under the latter
: law ne might serve ten years I'm prison.
: Hovars lieutepants. as well as 100 or
more minor union officers. are TO be
/ prosecuted under the felony section Of
lthe state law.
Il There are plenty of jaiis in which
! Ito take care Of the radicals" said Cow
ternor Allen. "and I want to take care
: of these chaps first I believe the
workers win be back on the Job long
5 before their union officers are out OF
!