The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-13
MAY CAUSE SPLIT
Enforcement of New Order
Means Trouble, Is Prediction.
Organized Labor Expected TO
Support Striking Miners.
STATEMENT MADE BY COURT
Clash Between Lewis and Com
pers, Is Forecast
State Officials See Hope in Dis
patches From Pittsburg.

The Lewis order may break the
Pittsburg strike.
1t may mean further Industrial
trouble.
1t may split the Kansas field.
Enforcement of the order may
bring about a new labor war in the
mining industry.
President Freeman to Pittsburg
for mine conference.
Kansas organized labor may support
the striking miners In their defiance
of the Lewis order.
Frank Harrington may be asked by
Howat men to command Kansas sit
uation.
Help is expected from Illinois by
the strikers.
Probable Freeman appeal TO Kansas
union labor.
Withdrawal of national organization
support may force many miners to re-
turn to work when strike benefits are
denied.
Efforts to enforce the Lewis decree
may affect national labor interests and
result in a clash between Lewis and
Gompers. The Gompers crowd is be-
hind Howat. it is claimed, while the
Kansas Federation of Labor is behind
Gompers.
Many Possibilities In Order.
There are all manner of possibili-
ties in the order which came today
from the international head OF the
Mine Workers union suspending off,
ficers of the Pittsburg district. Lewis
clearly met the situation more quickly
than the industrial court, altho the
scope of his order and ultimate effect
of his decree is problematical. State
officials saw hope in the first dis
patches from the Pittsburg field today
and anticipated relief from the coal
strike. They were inclined to believe
that Lewis would now be given the
opportunity of carrying responsibility
for the strike and that the matter OF
settling issues would be left rather
largely in his hands. The industrial
court has made no orders and with
Governor Allen has given the mine
union president a clear field.
While there may be joy in the state
administration offices, there is clearly
defiance in labor headquarters. Re-
Gently President Freeman of the state
federation announced that union labor
in Kansas would stand behinu the
mine strike to the last ditch. He also
made clear that aid would be given.
Illinois May Help Kansas.
There is strong probability that
the Illinois miners may open their
million dollar rainy day chest and
come to the aid of Howat's deposed
lieutenants and the coal diggers.
While the Lewis decree does not spe-
officially remove the mine workers
from union relationships, it apparent
ly holds a yelled threat that unless
they heed Peck 1 ey, too. may go.
And Peck has ordered the men to re-
turn to their jobs.
Prospects that the Pittsburg strike
trouble might be taken directly to the
court of highest appeal in labor cir
cles-President Gompers of the Amer
lean Fedora ton of Labor-were right
bright today. It is quite certain
Gompers is behind Howat. In fact.
Howat held a lengthy conference with
the labor leader before he returned to
Kansas to begin his sentence in the
Cherokee county jai. at Columbus. As
soon as Howat went to Jail the miners
laid down their picks embarrassed
their mules and went home. They as
serted they would stay there until
HoEat came back to them
Should Howat be able to enlist sup
port Of Presid entsG ompers. the war in
labor circles-which broke into bitter
clashes in Denver during the recent
convention of labor delegates-Would
be centered in the Kansas mining dis
trict. Labor union representatives in
Topeka were frankly declaring that
Howat had not lost his fight merely
because he has been banished by tbs
president of the international union.
Anticipated the Order.
At the state house Judge J. A. Me-
Dermott of the industrial court was
reluctant TO be committed.
I'VE have anticipated this action
for some time" he said when the text
of news dispatches was read.
what relief has been anticipated
in connection with the Lewis order 90
was asked
"oh I couldn't discuss that" was
Tee