The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-25
TO FIGHT RADICAL
Allen Forces Lined Up in State
Federation Meet.
Judge Crawford Selected to
Lead Deadly Attack.
FREEMAN TO GO ON BLOCK
Attempt to Block His Second
Term as President.
Charity-With Paving Brick
is the Choice Policy.
FREEMAN TO GO ON BLOCK
BY A. L. sHULTz.

Parties constituting the cogs and
wheels and whirlagigs of the state ad-
ninistration are to have another
chance to make public demonstration
of brotherly love for the labor unions
as now constituted, managed and con-
trolled. The little love scene is to be
staged in Chanute in May when the
State Federation of Labor meets to re-
new its courage and test its lung pow
err in vocal references TO Governor
Allen.
One Judge John H. Crawford,
former state labor commissioner and
now judge of the csurt of Industrial
relations, is the little Daniel who is to
inspect the lions teeth for the state
administration. Aided and abetted by
Clyde Reed and Fred Trigg, morally
supported by William Allen White and
Harvey Motter and with a commission
in his inside coat pocket from Cover
nor Allen himself, Judge Crawford is
equipped and fortified for his task.
IT is very simple little assignment.
too. 1t merely requires that Crawford
organize the fight to block President
Freeman's election to another term.
1t is a Jolly little pastime akin to tam
ing a rain barrel full of rattlesnakes.
Job 70 Judge Crawford.
Away back last winter someone
thought of the romantic prank of
kicking Freeman down the back
stairs of the state federation of labor.
around. everyone in the administra-
tons inner circle seems to have
nodded approvingly. There was a
question as to just who would be the
proper person to win this signal honor.
Judge Crawford seems to nave re-
ceived all the votes. 1t was known in
advance that if Crawford succeeded
in his purpose he would win much
praise. If he merely came home with
his neck badly chewed-wel, most OF
the folks in the state house would reel
sorry for him.
Nor did Crawford seem to be stub
born in his opposition to the plan.
Something within him seemed to say
that Freeman hadn't boosted the ad-
ministration game during the legisla-
tive session and that the state fedora
ton of labor didn't deliver any votes
for Crawford's confirmation.
But that isn't just where the trou-
ble started. 1t was before the open
ing of the session when freeman re-
fused TO sit on Governor Aliens com
Densation commission. Freeman real
" hadn't carried banners in the Allen
Darades-even during the prediction
campaign-and several times he hau
animated that labor should hold It's
nose when it walked on the w1ndWaru
side of the Allen administrator VI
course these things were possibly par
tfsau preiudices. So the state admin
istration smiled in broad Chrlstlan
charity-and carefully reached lot
paving brick.
The broad Christian charity was
still working when Governor Allen put
Freeman on his compensation com1nls-
sior-in spite of his uncompllmentdIy
remarks But Freeman who has llveu
much among the heathens IS sus
pic,ous of kindly treatment. he re-
fused to be bound by any hlli Whicll
the governor approved and declined 10
sit in the meetings. Then he prepareCu
a little compensation bill OF ms oWt'
aud sent it to Topeka 1T died IN the
Iar;sIo+,,re But the administration
lin died. too. And Freeman was
,rbcn the Christian spirit having eX-
lo,gted itself in fruitless enoeaTol'
+No having brick was called INTO pay.
There is an understanding in the state
house that Freeman was marked lot
sInurhter There is report that lroIil
certain sources came the WORD 1hat
1-raan,an was to paw and pay dearly
fo. his hostility TO the administrator:
1t 10 declared that he is associated
with Fowat and represents the radlcal
clement in the labor organization
independent Candidate.
And now Judge John H Crawford
Is to he given the task of tanning Free
80 Nv driving him from office. OF
course Crawford isn't to be the can
dfdate against Freeman. That would
he unwise 1t would center the flght
on the administration. let down the
bars for all manner of issues and re-
fleet directly on the executive If the
r ebt failed. on the other hand sup
mort of a supposed independent can
didate would make the fruits of vic
tory none the less sweet and would
not withdraw that last cloak of pro-
lection in case of some unexpected
bad luck. Crawford is slated to or
Z T17o
state machinery. it is declared, is to
be at his disposal.
1t will be we'll to read the press dis
patches from Chanute when the led
Grafton of labor meets. The radical
element which stays awake nights
thinking naughty thoughts of the gov
ernor is behind Freeman. The con-
servative element is beginning to talk
of a change-altho the talk hasn't as
vet reached the camp meeting stage
of enthusiasm. Then there is the
middle of the road force which usually
tries to vote with the winner and
within its own crowd often holds the
Balance of power. Crawford is said
to be delegated to herd together the
conservatives and the middle of the
readers. If he wins he will be some
thing of a hero and a new day in the
labor world will be heralded thru the
industrial court.
Crawford has a full man sized job
ahead. Soft words failed to split the
labor radicals and win Freeman over
to the administration. Now Craw-
ford is declared to be carrying orders
to get him out-using INT and blast
ing powder if necessary-but to get
him out or come home on single.
If the labor unions would only for
get to lock the doors when they start
fighting that Chanute meeting would
be worth going many miles to see.
Auditors Win Two Games.