The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-23
OUR GOVERNOR ABROAD.

Governor Allen delivered an address
in st. Louis Monday night which
brings forth the following editorial
comment from the Times of that city:
The conclusion of Gov. Henry ]. AL
len of Kansas is that the only thing
that can possibly prevent the Kansas
industrial relations court from work
ing to the satisfaction of the general
public, of laborers in essential indus
tries and of capital employed in such
industries, would be Modification of
the law by the supreme court of the
United States, which he does not fear.
He finds many decisions clearly
analogous, unfolding the rights of the
state to prevent concerted strikes in
essential industries, accompanied by
attempts of strikers to keep others
from working, and to penalfZe capital
that stops or reduces production for
the purpose either of affecting a labor
controversy or bringing about an arti-
fetal scarcity, forcing higher prices.
The narrow decision of the supreme
court UNFOLDING two rent laws seems
to strengthen the Kansas position, if
confined to energies.
Governor Aliens speech before the
Traffic club at st. Louis, MONDAY
night, was exhaustive, Astounding in
concrete Illustrations and enlivened
with wit. He cleared away much con-
fusion, purposeIy brought by enemies
of the act, whom he classes as those
who see the possibility of their loss OF
power and large salaries and expense
bills and those who are deiuded by
them.
AS evidence that the people of Kan
sas favored the court, after nearly e
years trial. he pointed to the fact that
in August and in November every in
dustrial district in the state voted for
him for governor, with the Industrial
court the main issue and with every
enemy-of it arrayed against him, along
with some of his political enemies. He
insists that even if the members OF
the union and their women folk coulf
quietly and safely vote, they would De
overwhelming for the court, for dur
ing the thirteen months II mas SCI
tied all controversies revolving about
wages and working conditions speedily
and satisfactorily.
1t does lessen the personal impor-
lance of professional labor chieftalns'
Their occupation is gone. Their pow
er, over men, industries and the pup
lie, is gone. Their personal emolu-
ments are gone. They cannot order
men about as if dumb driven cattle.
Alex. H Howat, the Ajax that has
locally defied the lightning of Kansas
sentiment, has called two strikes with
in thirteen months They were small
and inconsequential- He has succeed
ed in getting himself sentenced for
contempt of court Thru refusal to an
swer questions and has appealed to
the United States supreme court. His
professed aim is to make a monkey
out of the industrial court"
Kansas has served as an experiment
station on. many occasions. 1t is in
its old role, to end Industrial warfare
on a basis of justice, without loss OF
time or production or distress to the
public. The state is better fitted for
the experiment than many others. be
cause it has fewer great industries and
because its population is SO largely
native. The experiment will be
watched with interest. And those who
heard Governor Allen at the st. Louis
Traffic club dinner will watch it with
clear sightedness, because they under.
stand both its mechanism and its real
purpose, which is against neither Ia
Dor nor capital, but against the public
permitting the last form of deadly
quarrels among men to go unchecked.