The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-19

Pittsburg. Kan, Feb. 19.-More
than two-thirds of the Kansas deep
mines are idle today. official reports
to the headquarters of the Operators
association today showed. Most of
the steamshovels mines were working.
The report was about the same as for
yesterday. On Thursday two-thirds
or the mines were at work
Alexander Howat, president of the
Kansas miners, yesterday denied that
he had requested the miners to refuse
70 70 work on account of his arrest on
the criminal charge in Cherokee
county. "As long as we were released
on bond" he said. "refraining from
work would have been absurd. But
II we had been kept in Jail, that would
have been different"
Refuses to Sign for Order.
Howat today refused to sign a re-
ceipt for the order of the court of in
dustrial- relations ordering thar the
strike at the Mackie mines be called
off. When a deputy sheriff served the
order on Howat and asked for a re-
ceipt the miners chieftain declined.
Il have had nothing to do with the
industrial court and will not have
anything to do now" he said
The order was issued yesterday by
the industrial court after it had decid-
ed the case of Karl Mishmash. who
GAINED about 5000 from the Mackie
company for increased wages alleged
to be due him after he had become 9
years of age. Tho court also ordered
ne tn company TO pay the money over
Tor Mishmash with Interest and to
nave the two idle mines ready for
work Monday morning.
Won't Recognize Court.
After he had declined to receipt for
the order Howat said:
L signed an agreement with the
commissioner for the operators for
the settlement of the case of Mish-
mash, and SO far as 1 am Concerned
there is nothing more for me to sign.
do not recognize the industrial court
as having anything to do with settling
this case"
The money awarded to Mishmash by
the industrial court amounting 10
$ZZO.40, including interest, was paid
INTO the office of the clerk of the
Crawford county district court by the
company this morning. When advised
that this was done, Howat said that
the union would not recognize this as
a payment; that the money must be in
the possession of the operators asso-
ciation for payment to Mishmash, as
the contract between the operators and
the miners provided.
Mishmash is said now to be working
at mine near Henryetta. Okla.
Challenges Governor Allen.
Howat, replying today to a statement
made at Salina yesterday by Governor
Allen in which the state executive said
that the president Of the Kansas min
ers' union might soon be doing some
useful work for the state-in the coal
mines at Lansing-challenged the gov
+ernor to test of his ability to dig
coal. -+t
''I'll dig four tons of coal to his one
and the one who backs out first must
agree to leave the state" said Howat.
II am getting tired of having Cover
nor Allen go around the state telling
the people what a wonderful thing his
industrial court is, and what soft job
have and how 1 sponge off the work
men.
Now is his chance to prove I am
useless. II he does not accept this
challenge he might as we'll shut up.
He can't accept any too quick to suit
me. I'll go to Topeka today and sign
articles IL he saw the word"