The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-08
Judge Curran Puts Mine Czar
Under $4,000 Bond.
Must Obey Anti-Strike Order
Also Fined $500.
FUNNY" WITNESS JAILED
Refused to Pay Fine Assessed
by Judge Curran.
Latest Proceedings Against
Mine Gar Concluded.

Pittsburg, Kan, April S.-Alexan-
der Howat Kansas Miners union
head. today was found guilty of con-
tempt of court. in bordering a strike
of coal miners two weeks ago, and
sentenced to pay fine OF 5000 by
Judge Andrew ]. Curran of the Craw-
ford county district court today.
Judge Curran also ordered that
Howat give a bond of $4,000 that he
would not again violate the injunc-
tion against strikes issued by Judge
Curran last fall and which, with the
conviction this afternoon he has twice
been found guilty of violating. Unless
bond is given, Howat will be remand-
ed to jail.
Howat says He Won't.
Attorneys for Howat gave notice of
appeal and asked for a stay of execu-
ton pending the appeal. Judge Cur
ran fixed the appeal bond at $4,000.
The bond of $4,000 will not have to
be given pending the appeal. it was
said by Judge Curran. Earlier in the
day 1T had been the belief about the
court room that Howat would be
compelled to give the peace bond inn
mediately or be remanded to Jail.
He had declared he would not give
the bond.
Witness Ordered to Cell.
When the trial of Alexander Howat,
president of the Kansas Miners
union, charged with contempt of
court, was resumed before Judge A.
j. Curran this morning the state re-
| opened its case and called to the
| stand Bert Dowling. a witness for
whom an attachment was issued yes
| terday after he had failed to respond
| a SlIfnnann haat xxrH II
found by the sheriff.
|. bowling was in court and took the
stand. When he was excused Judge
Curran ordered him to remain in the
/ court room until the court excused
hlm Judge Curran late yesterday re-
rfanded another witness, Gus Hulett,
| to jail when he failed to pay a fine
assessed against him for getting
Iunny" on the stand. Hulett paid the
! fine just as he reached jail
/ Later in the session, when oues-
toned by Judge Curran, Dowling ex-
i planned that he had arranged to be
notified when he was needed in court
| after the postponement of Tuesday
but that he was not notified. Judge
Curran said that the explanation ap-
| peared to be technical but he would
| not impose fine upon him.
Arguments in the case, which fol-
lowed a morning of testimony taking.
were concluded shortly after IL
/ an adjournment until LILO o'clock.
Judge Curran allowed the defense so
minutes time for argument, after it
| had refused his request that there be
no arguments, because the questions
| involved had been argued in a pre-
! vious trial.
Charges Allen Conspircs.
r. s. Brennan of counsel for Howat
told Judge Curran that Howat is be-
ing prosecuted by a conniving politi-
clan, who is governor, and by schen-
ing attorney general. who wants to be
governor. and their action is bringing
the court of Judge Curran into con-
tempt all over the country.
/ Judge Curran, Brennan said, should
dismiss the proceedings on his own
motion.
Curran Denies Motion.
P. II. Gallery of counsel for Howat
! declared that persons who mobbed
Nonpartisan League men in Barton
county had not been prosecuted and
/ declared that Attorney General Hop
kins had shown little interest in bring
ing the mob leaders to Justice. In an
! swering the attorney general said that
if persons who said they knew had
told the officials rather than the news
papers the officers might have besu
able to prosecute
Judge Curran said that he had no
more right to dissolve the charges
against Howat than had Brennan or
Howat. He was unable. he said, to
see what the Barton county mobbing
had to do with the case against Howat.
! remarking that he had no sympathy
for the mob and that if a mobbiug
case were brought into his court he
would give a demonstration of his
feelings as to mob rule