The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-05
Four Plans of Action Outlined
in Kansas Coal Trouble.
Gov. Allen Plans New Policy
Regarding Strike Situation.
CONFERENCE MAY Be CALLED
"Cheek OF" System May Be
Suspended to Break Union.
Suggestion Made to Arrest
Leaders in Pittsburg War.

Four plans of action were apparent
in the state house today in connection
with the general coal strike in Kansas.
(1) Statement by Governor Allen
defining new state policy regarding
strike situation.
(2) Probable conference bv gov
ernor, industrial court judges and at
torney general.
(3) Action to cause suspension of
check Off system in effort to break
union organization.
(0 Consideration of plan to arrest
mine strike leaders.
Governor Allen returned to Topeka
today after an absence of four days in
which there have been many shifting
developments in the strike situation.
His morning conference with press
representatives was spiced with sar-
caSm and criticism. The governor not
only refused to make statement but
told reporters and correspondents thas
most of them were 'baitin " him and
had not handled news stories in keep
ing with his idea of fairness. He re-
Sented requests for discussion of the
William Allen White editorial and a
statement by W. L. Higgins, presid-
ing judge of the Industrial court. He
criticised news services for carrying
the Huggins statement on their leased
wires but refused to comment on his
| statement that the state had a re-
Sponsibility to mine workers and
should protect those who wish to
work.
Governor May Make Statement.
The governor indicated that he
might make a supplemental statement.
| His statement last week was to the ef-
feet that in view of this states ability
| to secure an adequate coal supply
| from outside sources that no action
l hp n iGtf
| strike and general fuel production tie
! up in Kansas mines.
This morning members of the indus
ltrial court held an informal confer
ence regarding the strike. Court
Judges said that no definite action
twas taken.
Governor Allen will probably confer
with the court judges later in the day.
The attorney general may be asked
to participate.
May Break tCheck Off System.
Rumors in the state house today
were to the effect that an effort might
be made to break up the CHECK OFF,
lsystem now employed in the mining
district. Under this system the opera
tors withhold from the mine workers
lpay check the amount of his union
Idues. In this manner the mine work
ers' union is declared to be able to
retain its power in the district. If a
plan can be found whereby the state
can release the operators from paying
the dues to union representatives,
state officials believe the union power
in the Pittsburg field will be broken.
+ No definite statement was made re-
igardipg probable arrest of Fleming
and other leaders who have stepped
into the gap during the time of How
ats imprisonment. 1t was admitted
in several sources, tho, that a move
might be made by the state to place
the more active organizers and agitaF
tors under arrest. There is seemingly
no immediate plan, tho, to take over
the mines or to provide forces which
Twill insure protection to any of the
miners who wish to return to their
jobs. 1t was this protection which
was demanded by Judge Huggins in
his statement and by William Allen
White in his editorial.
No Plan by Court
There is seemingly no plan on the
part of the Industrial court to return
to the Pittsburg field. The court spent
several weeks in the district last spring
~ and summer and made an exhaustive
report as a result of the survey.
Scouts and private investigators ara
, keeping state officials advised regard
! ing developments States officials
who are in close touch with the state
house situation believe Governor Al
len and the industrial court will look
to President Lewis for first relief il
3 the Howat trouble