South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-14
KANSAS INDUSTRIAL
FACES ACID TESTS
Davis Promised to Wipe Law
Creating Court From
| Statutes of State.

TOPEKA, Kas~ Dec. 12-Ti.e
kansas Industrial court. long a
source OF cap!taI-Iabor warfare. now
faces lts greatest fight
Jonathan ". Davis. newly elected
Democratic governor. has pledged
the full force OF Office and personal
~ 20 wipe from the statutes the
law creating the court. when he
takes Office January 1.
Opposing him stands a united Re
publican legislature. pledged by par
~ platform 10 battle for the court
80 the uttermost
Who VIII win is toss-up
Davis. who had incorporated into
his platform an attack on the court.
won the last election by % plurality
of 1890 over his Republican OPP
ponent-and this despite the strong
Republican sentiment OF Kansas.
Labor cast "a solid vote for Davis.
However. this is not considered clear
indication. as other ISSUES OF equal
Importance entered the campaign.
But labor viii lend rs solid sup
port toward adjustment Of the
hated industrial court The Amerl-
can Federation OF Labor and other
labor organiza tions throughout the
country repeatedly have attacked IL
as an effort 20 cuslave labor, and a
revulsion from modern labor princi-
pies
Faults Admitted.
Employers are divided on the
court question. Many brand 10 as
D. attempt 10 give state control
Hover private property. Other en-
pIoyers endorse il heartily. as do
many eminent jurlsts OF the state.
But even among its closest friends
are found those who admit it's eff
cheney is lowered 10y its INTERVENING
with politics
The court grew out OF the great
coal strike OF 1919. IN 1920. Gov.
Henry J. Allen called . special ses-
sion Of the legislature 20 pass upon
a plan advocated by W. J.. Higgins.
Emporia, Kas.. lawyer. This plan
was pronounced one to create an
industrial code similar 10 the Grim
inal and civil codes. that is to bring
differences before court as Is done
in the case OF private individuals.
From which came the industrial
court Higgins became it's presid-
ing Judge. and two others were ap-
pointed.
The law provided that contrOver-
sizes between employers and en-
ployes regarding wages and work.
ing conditions should be brought
before the court, and authorized the
court TO make orders i'm such cases
Labor Provision.
II further provided that a refusal
20 obey orders. or TO call a strike or
lockout without first submitting the
case to the court. should subject a
man TO trial on n felony charge.
Also that workmen who strike in
defiance OF a court order may be
found guilty Of a misdemeanOr.
\ storm of criticism. now cul-
mindting in Davis fight, was born
simultaneously with the court.
- Open warfare came i'm October of
92f. when Alexander Howat. dis
trict president Of the United Mine
Workers Of America, defied the
court and was sent 10 Jail.
Coal miners throughout the state
walked out in sympathy. and re-
manned idle for months. causing I'M
told loss TO Kansas and necessitat-
ing the use OF troops. Finally the
international president Of the miners
expelled Howat. reorEanized the dis
trict and brought peace.
This case, and scores OF other real
or fancied grievances of employers
and employees against the court, as
sure Davis widespread support in
his coming attack.
And the eyes OF all American in
dustTy Is watching