The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-26
No Compromise
In Kansas Case

rant charging William Alien w mite,
author and editor with violation
of the industrial court law in dis
playing plaeard synpathHing
with the striking railroad shopmen,
twas issued in district court here
late today. Mr. White, through his
Eattorney. Immediately made bond
for his appearance when the case
is called for trial in district court
here next october :
The warrant, signed by Roland
Boynton, county at or,n ey, a
nephew OF Mr.. White, was issued on
Information fled by a. representa-
tive Of Governor Henry j. Allen,
lifelong friend OF Mr.. White.
In statement given out when
the warrant was issued Mr.. White
said the objectionable p1acard
would not be displayed pending 1e-
gal settlement Of the case. The
statement explained that this ac-
ton was mo compromise, abso-
iutely no acknowledgement of the
right of the state to suppress. free
ufterances, published in decent and
orderly manner but followed ga
profound belief in law and legal
processes
severai days ago Mr.. White
posted the placard in window of
his newspaper Office, the Gazette.
The yellow poster announced, I'VE
are for the striking railroad men
so per cent" Mr.. White said he
would add 10 per cent each day as
the shopmen's strike continued, de-
claring sthe right to a free utter
ance Of honest opinions is a fun
damentaf right =
But Governor Allen, his friend,
publicly and personally, for many
years and the companion Of the ed
itor on a European trip during the
world war, differed in his interpre-
tation of the Industrial Court act.
He held that the display Of the
sympathy card in the Gazette win
dow was a violation of the picket
ing clause of the industrial court
law and declared Mr.. White had
the wrong slant" in the matter.
The governor said ne did not be-
lieve forbidding display of such
cards was an attack on free speech,
as his author friend contended. He
declared no exception could be
made, that Mr.. White must be ar
rested for violation of the law.
A conference held at Emporia
last night between the seconds of
Mr.. White and Mr. Allen resulted in
a deadlock. Mr.. White, through his
representatives, informed the gov
ernor's emissary that he would not
back down. When Informed Of this
the governor said he would cause
Mr.. Whites arrest if the placarG
was. still up today. 1t was.
Throughout it all the governor
| and editor have reiterated that
there was no personal feeling be
tween them, declaring that their
personal relations were not
affected by their difference Of opin-
ion over Interpretation of the law
The warrant charges specifically
that he "hindered, delayed. inter
fered with and suspended operation
of trains on the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe Railroad.
When law or ruling or a
legal authority affronts mans
conscience. just two courses are
open to him." said Mr.. White in a
statement issued Immediately after
his arrest.
He must seek its repeal in the
(! legislature or its annulment IN
court. The Kansas legislature Is
not in session. My only other
course is to seek the annulment of
1.-THE order which seems to me to
restrict freedom of utterance. The
risk is great, but the action quick
er If. in seeking the annulment OF
any order or law, the protesting
citizens obey the order or law while
the case is pending, no man can
question his motive. This Is exactly
what ] am doing and il is what
am asking al! COED citizens to do
The case is now in the courts. That
is where it belongs