The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-13
MAY CAUSE SPLIT


tCOutinued trJm rage One1
the reply. ut would be a violation of
| the rule of the court"
It was explained that the state
| might want to know something of the
attitude of it's court in spite of its
agreements and orders issued behind
closed doors. Judge McDermott then
said a statement might be issued later
in the day.
st might say that the situation looks
hopeful" the labor court judge vol
unteered after he had been repeatedly
pressed to outline for the public some
view of the fight in which Lewis has
seemingly taken the first action. That
! was as far as the court judge cared
to go.
During the coal strike none of the
court judges have visited the field.
They have held frequent conferences.
Reports have indicated that the meet
Iings behind closed doors have at times
been warm and decidedly interesting.
1t was recently rumored that pressure
had bee2 used in applying the gag to
w. L. Higgins, presiding judge of the
court, when he exercised some liberty
in discussing the strike situation. NO
statement regarding the strike has
been made by the court as a body.
Statement Issued by Court.
Later the court issued a statement
very brief, rather meaningless and
quite lacking in detail in its one asser-
ton that miners who desire to re-
turn to work will be enabled to do So
Judges of the court did not explain
whether miners could return under as
surances of state protection or wheth-
err the workers should look to Lewis
and Peck for safety.
1.-THE Kansas industrial court act
recognizes collective bargaining and
the right of labor to organize and act
collectively" says the formal state
ment from the court. THE results
announced from Pittsburg this morn
ing are very satisfactory and have
been anticipated by the court. They
show that the conservative, loyal, law
abiding officers and members of the
United Mine workers of America have
taken hold of the situation. It seems
that the collective contract entered
into under federal supervision is re-
garded as more than a mere scrap of
paper. Their differences are to be
settled in a lawful manner and the
miners in that district who desire to
return to work will be enabled to do
so.''
Hold Frequent Conferences.
This is the first statement from the
court during the strike. Frequent
conferences have been held-always
of the star chamber order. Reports
from these sessions have indicated a
tendency to apply the gag to We L.
Higgins, presiding judge of the court,
for criticism of state inactivity. None
Of the judges have visited the strike
district since the mine workers laid
down their tools. Governor Allen is
not in the state. He is expected in
Topeka Saturday afternoon.
May Mean Open Revolt.
Evidence of open revolt was in re-
ports from Pittsburg today when it
was known that Howat followers had
defied the Lewis order and refused to
surrender to Peck. It is reported that
the Howat revolutionists may ask
Frank harrington to take over the
fourteenth district and annex the ter
ritory with his Illinois field, now COM
posing the twelfth district. Earring
ton has stood with Howat in his fight
and his district has offered to open
its war chest to aid Kansas strikers.
Should Harrington be placed In
command of this district the situation
might result in open warfare between
the union officers for command. Men
given control of the district under the
Lewis order have been unfriendIy to
Howat control
President Freeman Of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor may be in Pittsburg
tonight. He will confer with mine
union officials there. His presence
in the mining district at this time
means much. Union labor leaders
here are disposed to the belief that
he will refuse to join with Lewis in
enforcing his suspension order. On
the contrary he is expected to appeal
to union workers in Kansas to con-
tribute to support of idle miners.