The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-26
Allen Accepts ChalIenge---Sends Hopkins
to Pittsburg to Direct Criminal Prose-
cution of Union Leaders and individual
Strikers---IndustriaL Tribunal Commits
sioner Also to Field.
ALLEN PROGRAM TO MEET
UNION COURT DEFIANCE

In a statement outlining the states
program relative to union miners de-
fiance of the industrial court act,
Governor Allen said today:
have received from George Richardson,
the commissioner of the Coal Operators
association of district II, the Information
that mines II of the Weir Coal company
and Is of the Western Coal Mining COM
pany are idle. Mr.. Richardson states that
the reason given by the miners for going
out. is their desire to protest against the
passage of the industrial court bill. This
brings at once a return of the issue as to
whether the unions are above the govern
ment of the state of Kansas and the gov
ernment will not hesitate a moment In
accepting the issue. 1 have asked the at
torney general to proceed at once to the
mining district to assist the local author-
tiles in a vigorous prosecution under the
criminal remedies provided by this court.
If the report from Pittsburg that certain
miners have struck in protest of the indus
propositions open for the state. In the
first place, every man who struck with
of the law is guilty of mtsdemeanor.
Every officer of labor union who used his
official power to call the strike is guilty
flee will Immediately investigate this mat
ter in conjunction with the local authori-
there has been such violation of the law,
action will be taken IN the courts. The
second proposition is the investigation by
the industrial court, under the provisions
of the new law authorizing an investigation
and adjustment of disputes This phase
of the matter also will be promptly con-
sidered- This, however, will take some
time, as the investigation will have to be
held before the industrial court. can issue
an order. Upon the issuance of an order
by the industrial court, if the parties in
terested refuse to obey the order, the mat
ter will be taken at once to the supreme
court where, If the final order made by the
supreme court is disobeyed, the supreme
court may use remedy, the limit to which
is entirely in the supreme courts judg-
ment- Always there remains the final al
tentative. operation of the industry under
the means provided by the law. This, of
course, leads into a return of state opera
tion, with this added feature, that the
state would operate the mines, selecting its
labor wherever it could obtain it and pro-
tectiDg 1t as n government function. Work
purpose. the men who defy the law to-
day would be ineligible to employment
under the state.
So far as l am personally concerned, 1
do not regret the action, tho / deplore the
spirit which brings any union into open
is no question involved of the right of any
individual miner to cease his employment,
but II investigation discIoscs that this is a
concerted movement to defy the law, the
state of Kansas will assert its sovereignty.
On the other hand. II these striking miners
desire to quit mining in Kansas because
they do not approve of the industrial court
law. they have that privilege, but they
must not interfere in any way with any
body else who want to work in these mines
just tribunal in which a fair and impair
tial adjustment of their grievances may be
had under the guarantee of the state I
feel that every fair-minded citizen of Kan
sas will regret the refusal of the miners
to give this court and the new law decent
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