The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-15
COAL PROBLEM UP.
Governor Allen in Conference
With Kansas Court.
Would Control Selling Opera
tiOns of State Dealers
SPECIAL SESSION POSSIBILITY
Extend Provisions of the Indus
trial Court Act.
Regulate Profits of the Producer
and Retailer.

Changes in existing state laws to
enable the state to control selling op-
erations of coal operators and retailers
are to be discussed at a. conference to-
day between Governor Allen and
members of the court of industrial
relations. Possibilities of a special ses-
sion of the legislature to provide new
enactments regarding production and
marketing of essentials are a feature
OF the conference.
The meeting today was called by
Governor Allen to consider statements
and recommendations in the courts
recent report regarding conditions in
port to the governor the court pointed
out numerous conditions affecting
both the employment of miners and
production and marketing of coal
which could not be corrected under
existing state laws. The fact that Gov
erhor Allen Immediately asked for a
conference with the court was ac-
cepted as an evidence of the governor s
willingness to meet the situation in
any possible manner.
Possibility OF Special Session.
General interest in the conference
is primarily in the possibility of a
subsequent legislative call. Chief con-
CSIh 10 dIi1OHS CORPORATIONS aIIecIeQ
with production and marketing of es-
sentials. Should the governor call a
special session as a result of the con-
ference, there is a general belief that
he will ask for extension of provisions
of the industrial court act which
! marketing methods and regulate pro-
ducers' and retailers profits
The court in its report, however.
pointed out that little could be done
until the wage contract in the Pitts
burg field is changed. The present
known that the industrial court is
anxious to ''sit in" on the writing OF
a new wage agreement But there is
no law under which such course may
be taken.
! State Constabulary Talk.
Another feature to be discussed in
connection with the report Is the
statement of Judge Huggins pointing
out the need of a state constabulary.
Governor Allen, however, did not
favor the state constabulary bill when
| it came before the last legislature.
| Such a course is not in favor with the
administration and Higgins recon-
mendation received some rather feel
ing criticism from oher court men,
bers when they were in Pittsburg last
week
Governor Allen has declined to dis
cuss in advance of today's conference
his probable course. Members of the
Industrial court, the courts legal staff
and perhaps representatives from the
attorney generals office will attend.
Neither the mine workers union or
the producers will be represented.
Behind Closed Doors.
The conference began shortly after
| 2 o'clock this afternoon. 1t was be-
hind closed doors in the private offices
of Governor Allen.
Neither the governor nor members
| of the industrial court would discuss
probable action in event of the talk
fest. The governor was asked if he
believed a special session call was
probable as a result of the conference.
Especial Session Probable"
at is possible" he said. But don't
wait around for a call this afternoon.
There won't be one today"
| In event changes in the state law
are sought in order to meet tuel prob
| lems, a special legislative session is
not expected until next winter-prob-
ably in January. Hints have been
been made that the state might seek
to put coal, packing, oil and similar
! industries under the public utilities
commission. Persons attending the
conference would not discuss these
possibilities.
will the press be barred from the
conference ?" the governor was asked.
Yes" came the reply. otherwise
| it wouldn't be a conference"