The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-31
PREVENT A STRIKE
Present Wage Contracts for
Coal Miners Continued.
Court Sign the Writ.
CONTRACT EXTENDED 80 DAYS
Judge Huggins Holds That
Emergency Does Not Exist.
Proposal Is Made for Another
Meeting April 10.
CONTRACT EXTENDED 80 DAYS

! Following an all-day hearing the
! industrial court late Thursday eve
i ming ordered present wage contracts
and working conditions in Kansas coal
: fields maintained for a period of
Thirty days ii order to prevent a
strike of mine workers Judges Nc
DeImott and Crawford signed the
writ. Presiding Judge w. l. Huggins
/ dissented in an oral statement from
the bench.
Action of the court was announced
| following concessions by representa-
| tives of operators and mine union or
saniza tions that they would use per-
sonal efforts to secure continued
operation of Kansas mines. Efforts
during the day to secure a special per-
mission from the international union
to aGCPt a new wage scale for this
state did not produce results
No Immediate Emergency.
Because of conditions existing in
the coal fields there is little proba-
bility tLGt an immediate emergency
viii exist. Ira Clements, president of
the operators organization, told the
court that it would be impossible to
secure normal production for some
time. He said every foot OF siding IN
the field is crowded and every avail
able car loaded with coal. More than
400 IoaGed cars have not been billed
kc stated
John ]. Campbell of Pittsburg, at
torney for the operators. put the mine
union representatives on the defensive
near the close of the hearing. He
asked George L. Peck. provisional
president Cf District No IA. If the
union's wage scale committee would
meet with a similar committee from
the operators. He proposed meeting
April 10. Peck said he would try TO
secure such a meeting.
Judge Higgins Against 1t.
In his dissent Judge Higgins said
he did not believe an emergency ex-.
listed which would justify continuing
the old wage contract in force He
said the order was merely adding an
extra burden to the, expenses and re-.
sponsibilities of the fuel consumed
and was to the advantage of both the
gins also stated that the prevailing
opinion had been written during the
noon recess and before 1aking of testi-
mony was completed.
Judge McDermott said he wrote the
opinion as his own views of proper
procedure He stated that he did not
go over its provisions with any one
until the hearing ended. Judge Craw-
ford said the opinion met his idea of
justice in the case and he signed it
and did not care when it was written.
President Peck Excused.
Efforts to induce President Peck to
tell of details surrounding the coal
strike vote failed rather fatty. On
claims that the information was priv
ileged and his testimony might tend
to incriminate him. Peck was excused
from answering most of the impor
tant questions
President Clements of the operators
association, said excessive use of dyna
mite and powder in the Kansas mines
had resulted in an excessive per-
of slack. He said this condi
ton placed an extra burden of 25 to
80 per cent on the consumer of do
mestic coal. Efforts of the operators
to overcome the trouble in production I
failed miserably, Clements told the |
court.
Willing to Make Concessions.
"Are you willing to make some con-
cessions in order to secure a new wage |
contract and harmony" asked Judge
Higgins.
i am"
fWhen?"
fright now"
President Peck said he could not act /
for the miners without authority from |
the international union. The fact, tho !
that the operators have offered to /
meet the miners in a new conference |
and that the court maintains existing !
conditions for. thirty days is believed /
in the state house to give hope for
in the fuel war.