The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-06
President of Kansas Federation
Issues Warning Today.
All Depends on Aliens Action
in Kansas City, He Says.
MAY ASK ALL UNIONS TO QUIT
This Move If Court Is ''TOO Ac-
tive" in Packer Strike.
President Harding's Suggestion
Comes as Real Bolster.

Each promises to have a strong bear
ing on early settlement of the labor
court issue and determination of
operation of the law both in Kansas
and in the nation.
Kansas labor today faced prospects
of a general strike call as a result OF
industrial court interference with the
packer strike, w. E. Freeman, presi-
dent of the State federation, warned
today. The situation was more than
Offset when the industrial court idea
gained new standing and recognition
in the message which President Hard
ing sent to congress. Official Wash
ington interpreted the presidents sug-
gestion as an approval of the Kan
sas plan altho the Republican ma
tional convention which nominated
President Harding in June, 1920, re-
iected endorsement of the labor tri-
bunal plan.
Freeman's threat and President
Harding's recommendation drew in
terest to the industrial court interven-
ton in the packer strike. Behind Free
mans threat of a general strike call
is seen the organized action of the
Gompers interest in union labor ranks.
The statement which Freeman made
for Kansas labor at Pittsburg today
is interpreted as defiance of the
court law with the probable backing
of union labor in the nation if gen.
eral tie up of industry in this state is
undertaken.
All Depends on Allen.
1.-THE calling of a general strike de-
pends entirely upon the conduct .1e
Allen at Kansas City" the Associated
Press quotes Freeman as saying in
Pittsburg His statement was made
Industrial court would not only inter-
vene but would pledge protection to
men who want to work.
Freeman was quoted as saying that
all union labor organizations in the
state would be asked to quit work if
the governor and the industrial court
became too active in the situation at
Kansas City. In the meantime the
Lewis and Howat forces are bitterly
at war in the coal fields with Free
man and the Gompers crowds behind
Howat. The Industrial court and
Governor Allen are supporting Presi-
dent Lewis. while federal forces have
been used in the field.
Harding's Big Boost.
Action of President Harding, tho. in
asking for a national tribunal to settle
industrial disputes was generally in
terpreted in Washington as recommen-
dation for a law similar to the one on
the statute books of this state. In the
fight against national action organized
labor is expected to renew its fight to
defeat the Kansas law. Inspiration of
such a fight is seen in the flat an
of President Freeman
that Kansas labor is now ready to
quit work.
Neither Governor Allen nor indus
trial court judges are in the city. No
authority at the state house today pre-
sumed to venture prediction as to
the course the state would take in
event a general strike call should be
issued.
No Troops in Strike.
Reports sent from Kansas City
Monday night to the effect that the
city would be placed under martial
law seemingly were vague dreams.
These rumors were current Saturday
and were promptly denied. No infor-
nation tending TO indicate that troops
existing conditions, has been received
in Topeka.
81 have had no intimation that the
state expects to use troops in the
packer strike" said Charles I. Martin,
adjutant general. There has been no
move to prepare any state troops for
service"
No information has been received
by labor union heads in Topeka indi-
eating that organized workers are
planning to take a general strike vote
Use Law as Smoke Screen.
Pittsburg, Dec. 6.-The followers of
Alexander Howat in the Kansas coal
fields controversy are using the agita-
ton against the Kansas Industrial
court law as a smoke screen for a
strike against complying with the or
der of the international union in re-
gard to the Dean and Reliance mines,
the international board and President
Lewis asserted in a statement sent to
all local unions of the Kansas organ
ization today.
The statement reviews the Kansas
situation, announces a determined
fight will be made in the court to
knock out the Kansas industrial court
law and appeals to all loyal union men
to stand by the International