The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-08

Pittsburg. Kan. Feb. s.-Two mines
are idle today in protest against the
arrest of Alexander Howat, district
president of the mine workers, and
five other union officials on contempt
charges. according to reports to the
Southwestern Interstate Coal Opera
tors association. The mines affected
are Jackson Walker 15 in the north
west part of Crawford county and
Clemens II near Roseland. Cherokee
county They employ 100 men.
Alexander Howat and associated Of
ficials of the Kansas Miners union.
arrested yesterday for contempt of
court will be tried next Tuesday
morning at 9 o'clock Judge A j.
Curran continued the case against the
union officials after a clash between
Attorney General r. J. Hopkins and
Fred s. jackson. counsel for the Kan
sas court of industrial relations and
attorney for Howat, who sought
continuance.
Alexander Howat. district president
of the United Mine Workers, today
hurled another def at the state of
Kansas whose Industrial court law for
bids certain kinds of strikes
This is not an indefinite strike
have called" Howat said. just a few
Judge Curran charged with calling a
strike in violation of an injunction.
TT will last until the court puts an
end to it or the George Mackie Fuel
company settles the wages of Karl
Nlishmash.''
Declares He'll Stand Pat.
As to whether the strike would
assume more widespread proportions,
Howat said he would make no
prophecies until decision was rem
dercd.
Those who know Howat were sure
he would stand pat on his strike or
der in the face of almost certain Jail
sentence Judge Curran sent Howat
to Jail once before fo:- contempt of
court. And friends of Curran looked
for him to do it again.
Howat refused to make any definite
statement as to his course of action
until arrival from Topeka of Phil CAL
lery chief counsel for the union.
Redmond Brennan. Kansas City attor-
new was also exDected to arrive today
to aid in the defense of the union
heads.
Howat late yesterday admitted in
court that he had signed the strike
order but when asked if he wished to
plead guilty replied that it was up to
the court Vice President Dorcey
pleaded guilty"
But after the charge against the
men was again read. they asked for a
continuance to consult their attor-
news. Judge Curran told them to file
thoir answers by 1880 p. m. today.
First evidence of a long expected
snlft in the union cabinet over the
fight on the Kansas inductrial court
law came with statement in court by
Thomas Harvey, secretary-treasurer,
that he voted against the strike call.
Harvey's announcement created a sem
sation. He pleaded mot guilty and
charges against him were dismissed
The union heads were then released
on their own recognizance for appear
ance this afternoon.
"Court Nothing But joke
IT is Howats contention that the
Kansas Industrial court has absolutely
nothing to do with any violation of
Judge Curran's injunction against
calling another strike. We feel. as
we always have felt, that the indus
trial court is nothing but joke and
unconstitutional" Howat said.
Howat declared Judge Clyde Reed
of the Industrial court had been sent
here by Governor Allen in an attempt
to make the people believe that the
Industrial court is conducting the in
vestigation of the strike instead of
Judge Curran's court.
Denies Aliens Charge.
The district president insisted the
strike was called merely to get Gus
tice" for Karl Mishmash, a boy who
was promised more wages when he
reached 19. The union claims he has
alta med that age. The coal company
disputes it.
Howat said "the statement made by
Governor Allen that called this
strike in order to discredit him and his
Joke court in the eyes of the people
is false. This strike was called in an
effort to gain justice for this boy who
has been defrauded out of his wages
by a greedy corporation"
With union heGds defiant. Attorney
General Hopkins stated that the miner
officials face double court action. Hop
kins explained that today's hearing is
to concern the violation of the Judge
Curran's Injunction and the evidence
obtained therein will not be competent
evidence in criminal prosecution of
the mine officials for violation of in
dnstriaI court anti-strike proviso.