The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-10

ant questions of law, some of which
are novel. 1t is a pioneer proposition.
The legislature of the state of KAN
sas in the industrial act gave the
courts an outline, but the industrial
law in its completeness must be writ
ten by the court in it's opinions and
orders in accordance with that outline,
in harmony with the constitution OF
the United States and the constitution
of the state of Kansas, in conSonance
with established principles of law and
in the light of the experience of man
kind in the centuries past. Only the
shallow minded will consider such
duties easy of performance. The tri-
bunal created by the Kansas indus
trial act is not-a court of general 5uris-
diction- 1t is not a court in the sense
that the word court" might be used
by pedants. 1t is a new type OF court
an industrial court having jurisdic-
ton OF problems which are most vital
per solution of which depends not only
the prosperity and happiness of the
people but also the very existence OF
government itself.
Is of Much Importance.
The name, however, is of little con-
sequence, but the character Of the tri-
bunal is of tremendous Importance.
The work of the court of industrial re-
lations is such as that it must be en-
LlTelY ITG6 from DOIllCdl influence IL
should be kept upon plane of honor,
dignity and ability second only to the
supreme court of the state. Member
ship in this tribunal should not be
conferred upon men as a reward tor
political service or as inducement for
political services anticipated. The
seeker after netoriety, the political
manager, the chairman Of the state
central committee, the man who has
rendered political service. or who may
be expected to render such services to
the appointing officiary should not be
appointed, and public sentiment
should make such men ineligible to
appointment. The tribunal should not
be expected to consider the political
services or the political fortunes OF
any individual. No action of the court
should be influenced by political party
considerations of any kind or charae-
ter. If the court of industrial rela-
lions can not be kept free from the
influence of politics and of politicians,
If it can not be placed and kept upon
the high plane of a judicial tribunal,
it will fail, and the law should be re-
pealed before failure becomes dis
grace.
No Peculiarly About Court.
There is one popularity about this
tribunal-it deals with litigants as
classes. In every other court the liti-
giants are individuals. Labor, capital
and the general public-these are the
three and only litigants that ever APP
pear in the court of industrial rela-
tfons. Now it is evident that it will
never be proper to elect the members
Of this tribunal by popular vote, be-
cause to do SO would inject into every
election campaign a class issue. Or
ganized labor would probably sacrifice
every other place on the ticket in Or
der to elect it's choice upon the indus
trial court. Organized capital would
bring every possible influence to bear
to elect the opposite kind of a man,
and the general public, unorganized
and unable to protect itself, would suf-
fer in the results. The method of Sc
lection must besby appointment and
must be free from political influence.