Arizona republican., 1921-02-16
UNION OFFICIAL DISPUTES INDUSTRIAL COURTS RIGHT
 TO FORCE MINERS TO WORK
rRepubIIcan A. P. Leased Nirel

PITTSBURG, Kan, Feb. 15--Ale1- ander NJ. Howat, president of the Unit ed Mine Workers of Kansas, testifying today in the contempt of court case against him and five other union off, cia1s. gave some of his views on the Kansas industrial court and courts in general He declared that the indus trial court was unconstitutional.
 The union officials are charged with contempt for calling a strike in viola ton of an injunction. The hearing was before District Judge A. J. Cur ran
 When asked by r. S. Jackson. at torney for the industrial court, if he would obey the industrial court law should theN supreme court hold it con- stitutional. Howat replied:
 .I'Il meet that when we come to it."
 Tomorrow the case against three un- ion officers for fining two miners who took a case to the industrial court also will be heard They also are charged with contempt
 With completion of the testimony in the case against Howat and five other union officials, Judge Curran took the case under advisement and an nounced that he would announce his de- cision tomorrow.
 Questioned by the defense, Howat said that the strike was called because the company had refused to pay $225 back wages alleged to be due to a young miner with a widowed mother. The wage controversy had extended over three years, Howat testified.
 Strike for Widowed Mother
 Attorney Jackson for the industrial court, asked if the district board had considered that the calling of the strike was in violation of the Injunction and that it might end in jail sentence for the members.
 Howat replied: We considered only one thing and that is that we were out for justice for this boy and his wfd- owed mother at whatever cost. We did not believe the injunction granted by Judge Curran meant that htse miners had to be chained to their jobs wheth- CT they were paid or not. We believed that the injunction was aimed only to prevent a general tieup of all the { mines"
 Did you consider that justice might be obtained without recourse to a striker" he was asked.
 We are not obliged under our con tract to go to a court of justice and il ! has never been our practice said How at, ito go to a court for wage settle ments."
 sIt is not the amount of money in- 1 voIved that we are striking for" he ex- 1 plained We would call a strike for $s as quickly as $1.000."
 Are you claiming the right to vio- late the law?" he was asked i "No We are claiming the right to fight for justicel"
 Indicted Official Cheered
 .'The operators think they can hide behind the industrial court and in functions" he said answering Gues- ton, and we cannot pull a strike without getting the state on our backs I could hardly believe that in fre' America they would arrest us for trying to prevent the greedy operators from 1 robbing @ widow
 Friends of the mine leader then l broke into a demonstration. There wal | clapping of hands, laughter and tap ping of boots on the floor. The sheriff threatened to clear the room and Howa urged the crowd to remain quiet.
 W. l.. Higgins. presiding judge of th' industrial court, preceded Howat. Ei' explained that the industrial court hat taken no steps to cause the recent ar rest of Howat or the five board mem bers, that the industrial court had Tt criminal jurisdiction. He said that il the present case the court had not ever suggested the action taken.