The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-30
PLAN NO ACTION MOTTER is NAMED
Kansas Officials Will Not Inter-
fere With Mine Strike.
Gov. Allen Says Men Are Fore
ing IdIeness on Themselves.

Ehnsas state officials do not plan to
take over the -CEaWford-C -Cherokee
county mines during the strike called
in protest against sending of Alexan-
der Howat to Jail. Neither will the
state interfere with the idleness of the
coal diggers SO long as the supply of
fuel from other states is adequate.
That was the position outlined by
Governor Allen today in a statement
discussing the sending of Howat to
Jail. The governor declared that the
men are merely enforcing idleness
upon themselves; are not aiding
Howat, do not hurt the law and do not
deprive the state of a fuel supply as a
result of their strike. Action by the
state will be taken, Governor Allen, in
dicated, only in event there is a short
age of fuel.
Governor Allen indicated in his
formal statement today that the in
dustrial court would not seek to inter
fere with the idleness of mine work.
ers so long as Kansas continued 20
secure an adequate supply of coal
from neighbor states. 1T is not the
purpose of the Industrial court to seize
upon every technical opportunity for
interfering with the relationships of
employers and employees" said the
governor in explanation of the courts
stand.
Statement by Governor.
The governors statement follows:
I regret of course, that Howat and
Dorchy refuse to obey the law of this state
and have chosen today to so to jail rather
than yield as orderly citizens to the COM
mand of the law. The two small strikes
which Howat and DOrchy called rad no
issue. apparently, except to emphasize their
contempt of law The issues involved in
the strike could easily have been settled
by the court of Industrial relations with
out cost to either party. The legislature
Of Kansas which made this law by an al
most unanimous vote did not write into 1t
any exceptions that any individuals could
live above this law. Howat and Dorchy
will be given exactly the same treatment
that any other law violaters are given.
expect to work while Howat is in jail I
dare say the only concern which the court
of industrial relations will have in that
matter Is as to the effect upon the general
public of the enforced idleness Of the
mines at Pittsburg.
1t is not the purpose of the Industrial
court to seize upon every technical op
portunity for interfering with the relation
ships of employer and employe. The fun
damental purpose of the court of Industrial
relations act is to protect the public
against any attack upon its welfare
brought about by the forced cessation of
an essential industry. The first duty of
the state, therefore, in reference to the
matter is to protect the public in its right
to a sufficient supply Of fuel. Just now
most of these mines are idel because there
is no market for the coal and in the mean
time coal from Illinois and Colorado is
supplying tne peppIe oI hahsas AT cost
which is no higher than we would pay for
pittsburg coal.
There is no shortage of fuel. IF at any
time the welfare of the public should be
threatened by the lack OF production in the
Kansas mines, it would then be the duty
of the state to take such action as would
bring relief to the public from such emerg-
ency. There is no imminent probability
that this course will be necessary. because
there is no shortage Of fuel. If Howat's
followers prefer to remain idle out of sym
pathy for Howatt, who chooses to break
the law, It is a matter entirely for their
own concern, so long as they do not in
wade the rights Of the public. The law is
designed TO help them-not to hurt them.
They gain no point for themselves or for
HOwat in deliberately choosing n course of
idlenCss to express their resentment Tn
fortunately, they injure themselves. They
do not help Howat and they do not hurt
the law