The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-04
Court Interpretation of Anti
Picketing Law May Be Sought
Many Serious Questions Have
Arisen Regarding Picketing Act
TRAIN MOVEMENT IS NORMAL
Topeka Case Is Likely To BE
Real Test of Kansas Law.
Many Topeka Business Men
Take Out Violence Insurance.

No work is under way at the Santa
Fe shops today. Under normal cir
cunstances, of course. the shops would
not be in operation on holiday
John Purcell, assistant to the vice
president, this morning stated that the
shops would open as usual wednesday
morning, with work under way in all
departments.
w. K. Etter, general manager OF
the eastern lines. stated that train
movement is proceeding normally, and
there is no trouble in maintaining
traffic.
Court Interpretation of the anti
picketing section of the Kansas indus
trial court law may be sought immedi-
ateIy in an effort to determine rights
of workers and strikers in the present
railroad shop trouble. Governor Al
len and members of the Industrial
court assert that picketing is any form
of intimidation of men who want TO
work Strikers maintain that the lit
tie groups of men on street corners
in the shop district are merely "oo-
servers" and do not interfere with
workers
Many PerpIexing Questions
All sorts of perplexing questions
have arisen as a result of the states
determination to enforce the picketlng
act Newton officials asked the gov
ernor II picketing would be permitted
II workers were not molested and the
picketing was quiet and orderly The
Governor replied that there could be
no such thing as orderly picketing.
The Topeka case. tho. is likely to De
the real test. In the shop district
Monday morning hundreds OF men
congregated in little groups. There
was a gathering on every street corner
in the Branner street and Seward ave-
fon n the hiEr Santa
Fe shops. 1t was impossible for
man to go to his work without passing
thru lines of neighbors who were on
strike. 1t is Governor Aliens conten-
tIon that this assembly constituted in
reference and he has directed that 1t
be broken up.
Claim Right To Check Men.
Labor officials maintain they have
a right to keep check list of the men
who go to work. They claim that the
quiet gatherings on street corners is
not a violation of the law even tho 1t
tends in a measure to discourage men
returning to work
first arrests are made under the
picket act in Topeka that a test SUIT
will be taken mediately before the
state supreme court. In the mean
time, tho. Governor Allen has directed
that adequate police protection be af-
forded workers in all shop towns.
SPECIAL deputy sheriffs are being
sworn IN at Argentine anu ANS"tOAs dS
well as at Parsons.
New Trouble, Arises.
The Parsons situation has presented
a new trouble phase. Mayor Coad-
former legislator and shop employe-
has assigned fifty special men to the
shop district. The Labette county
sheriff. with thirty special deputies, |
has given. notice that he Will not per-
NIT Coad's men to enter the Katy |
shop district.
Because of the strike situation. |
many Topeka business men are |
taking out civil commotion" or mob |
violence insurance. Several local in |
surance firms have been doing q |
heavy business in this form of insur- |
ance during the last few days
To Spend Fourth at Work.
Governor Allen. General Martin and |
members of the Industrial court will !
spend their Fourth of July near the |
state house. They will keep in close |
touch with strike developments In /
Kansas towns.
This morning Governor Allen went |
rounds of golf. He left instructions
to be called from the links, however, |
In case of developments which de- /
manded his attention.
Big Test Scheduled for Wednesday.
wednesday will doubtless be the
big test in the strike situation. Nom
OF the shops were scheduled to open /
kCday even under normal conditions.
The men who report for work We'd
pcscay tho, will give some definite
idea as to the ability of the roads to
cperate under existing conditions.
The statement of John Purcell TO
the effect that the Topeka shops or
the Santa Fe would operate in every /
department Wednesday Is followed by
reports to the effect that the road ex-
poets an even greater number OF men
on the job than reported Monday.
Business Is Normal.
General officials OF the Santa Fe
have given out formal statements to
the effect that the strike is not dis
turbing normal business. j. NJ. Con-
nell. general passenger agent, stated
hat summer travel was not being in
.errupted. J. r. KoontZ. assistant
general freight agent. declared the J.
road had placed. no freight embargoes
and that none were contemplated. |
From General Manager Etter the
Ttatement was made that all trains
we're being operated and that almost
normal schedules were maintained.
Strike officials. however, declare
shat the walkout is general and that
,ewer than 100 men affected by the
Ttrike call are answering the call for
workers here. They assert that the
Jtriks IS 81 Ter cent effective on the
S5rta Fe system. !.
Extra deputy sheriffs have been
worn in for Shawnee county ard an
Idded police squa has been prom
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