The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-05
RUTH IS LET OUT THEY DEFY COURT
State Officials Uncertain as to
Action in Packer Strike.
Judges Probably Will Continue
Hearings in X. c., Kan.

State house authorities were today
unable to forecast the course which
the industrial court viii now take in
settling the packer strike. The unions
have openly violated and defied the
order of the industrial court to con-
tinue operations. Court Judges will
doubtless continue to hold hearings
in Kansas City and may go to Wich-
ita later in the week. So far as re-
dustry is concerned. it is apparent
that no definite program has been
outlined.
Whether the union officials obey
ORDERS to appear before the industrial
court or the Wyandotte county dis
, triSt court to testify, seemingly means
little if anything in meeting the tie-up
of the packing industry. If the union
officers testify they will eyade posi-
bilities of contempt citations If they
do not heed 6ubpoenas and summonseS
to testify the Wyandotte county dis
trict court may order them to appear
in court. In either event the several
thousand striking employees will not
be affected and none of the proposed
orders will reopen the plans closed by
the strike.
Workers Defy Labor Court.
By walking out in compliance with
nation wide strike orders. the Kansas
workers today defied the labor court
to assert its power In wichita, Gov
ernor Aliens home town, the strike
was reported 100 per cent effective.
Most Of the Kansas City workers are
idle.
+; Attorney General Hopkins left this
afternoon for Kansas City, where he
will attend further hearings of the in
dustrial court. Citations for the men
to appear have been issued by Judge
McCamish of the Wyandotte county
district court.
Hopkins appeared vague, indefinite
and uncertain as 80 the future. He
talked of contempt orders in event the
men did not testify. He indicated that
further and future hearings would be
| held, and that after deliberations
orders would be issued. These orders
might come in a few days, a few weeks
or a few months.
Future Action Not Outlined.
In the meantime the one ordeT of
the industrial cour.-a flat. sweeping
decree to employers and employees to
continue normal operations pending
the courts investigation of strike
issues-is being defied and violated.
Just the course which the state would
I likely take in maintaining the normal
supply of pork chops, beefsteak and
sausage, was not outlined.
1t was stated that the court would
probably go to Wichita in a few days.
Any plans to take over operation of
the packing industry has either been
abandoned or not definitely de-
termined.
Governor Allen is not in the city
It is reported that the industrial court
will take no positive action until he
returns to the state and can confer
with the judges as to future policies.
Rumo-s that the state would seek to
provide protection for the men who
desire to work have been current in
the state house. One report that
troops might be used was fatty de-
MED by persons in authority. If the
packer properties a-e placed under
police control, action will be taken by
Kansas City. Kan, and Wyandotte
county, and not by the state.
Persons in touch with the packer
strike believed the industrial court
would face one of its most severe tests
during the present tieup. The packing
industry is vested with a public inter-
est under act of the legislature and a
decision of the state supreme court.
With the employees idle and the in
dustrial court in the center of the
strike district preparing TO hold
further investigations, state interest
was centered in the course which
would be followed in restoring normal
conditions