The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-09


sas City Star.
Pittsburg, Kan, Feb 9--Orders for
the arrest of three local union officials
charged with violation of an injunc-
tion issued by Judge Andrew J. Cur
rant in the Crawford county district
court September IA, last, were issued
this morning.
The injunction prohibits local union
officials from filming members of the
union for appealing cases to the court
of Industrial relations under a provi-
sion of the constitution of the miners.
The request for the arrest of Off
cials followed appearing conducted
yesterday by Clyde NJ. Reed of the in
dustrial court of the case of John Nc
Allister, and William Dixon, shotfir-
ers, who were discharged and ap-
pealed their case to the industrial
court and then were fined.
Sympathy Strikers Return.
Miners employed at Mine No. IT. OF
Clements Coal company at Roseland.
Cherokee county. returned to work
this morning after having been out
one day in protest against the arrest
of Alexander Howat for contempt of
court. --.li..s s--.s. Il
Miners employed at Jackson Walker
number Is. the other mine idle yester-
day by a protest strike. were not at.
work. Representatives of those min.
egs said they would have been at work
today, but the mine whistle was not
blown last night, signaling that there
would be work today.
Local Chefs Cited.
Local union officials involved in the
strike of miners at the two Maclxie
mines affected by the strike called by
Alexander Howat and other district
union officials. will be before Judge
A. J. Curran in district court shortly
after 8 O'Clock this morning to answer
to a charge of contempt.
Labor intends to fight for the right
to strike when and where it pleases.
The state of Kansas is determined to
eliminate the strike as useless eco
nomic waste and substitute industrial
justice.
That epitomizes the fight here be-
tween District President Alexander
Howat and other officials of the
United Mine Workers of America. and
tho state represented by the Kansas
industrial court and the district court.
VIII Be Legal Battle.
Granted weeks continuance of the
hearing of the charge against Howat
and associates of contempt of court
An calling strike, labor forces today
were marshalling their legal forces
for an attack on the Kansas indus
trial court law which Howat has al
ways refused to recognize and has
forbidden union members to recognize.
Labor attorneys indicated in their
plea for continuance that the miner
union heads will contend the strike
did not come within the jurisdiction
OF the industrial court law inasmuch
Il did NOT monaco the coal Sl1pp1v
nor public safety. But Judge Curran
pointed out that the constitutionality
of the industrial court law will not be
heard in the contempt case. 1t may
he brought up. however, in any action
the industrial court may bring.
Unions Were Surprised.
That United Mine leaders were
taken by surprise by Governor Aliens
quick action in sending States Attor-
ney Richard Hopkins and Judge Clyde
Reed here as soon as he heard of the
strike was shown by the fact that
neither the United Mine Workers at
torneys nor United Mine Workers Of
ficiaIs were here when the states
forces arrived ito enforce the law
Surprised, Howat first frankly ad-
mitted he had called the strike, then
reccnsidered and refused to enter a
Plea until he had seen union attorneys.
He asked a days continuance Judge
Curran granted it. Then when two
labor attorneys arrived on the scene
Tuesday. they were stin unprepa rC d
ard succeeded in getting n weeks cor
tinuance after charging attempts we've
being made by the state to railroad
Howat and his cabinet to prison.
Three Charges Against Howat.
The state is ready to go ahea1 on
tb1ec charges against Howat:
First. charging contempt of court in
issuing 4 strike order in violation of Judge
furrau.s IN junction
Second. charging HOwat with violation
of the industrial court law in calling the
Third. charging conspiring to prevent op-
erntion Of the Industrial court law by filming
miners who take their cases to it for ad-
Judication.
AltIo miners in two mines were idle
in protest against court interference
with Howat's strike order. mine off
cials were inclined to believe there
would be no further spread of the
. s.svIt1pathy'' strike during the week S
continuance. unless the industrial court
should take some definite action in The
meantime.
The entire situation held many pos
sibilities and the next move was prob
lematical.