The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-15
DepOsed Kansas Union Chief
Wins First Round.
OTerruled by Lewis Gets Deci-
sion for Vote.
LEWIS SAYS WAGE SCALE FIRST
Consideration of Schedules Are
Now Postponed.
L. NJ. A. Chiefs Decidedly OPP
posed to Kenyon Plan.

Indianapolis, Feb. Is. - Alexander
Howat, deposed Kansas miners leader,
won the preliminary skirmish OF his
fight at the special convention of the
L. NJ W. A, here today, against the
action of the union administration Of
ficers expeIling Howat and creating a
provisional district government for
the union in Kansas.
By a rising vote of 977 to S64, the
delegates decided TO consider Howats s
appeal to override the administration
officers order and Immediately roll
call was ordered, probably delaying a
final decision until tomorrow. Mean
while all consideration of wage scale
matters was deferred.
While the standing vote favored
Howat, delegates supporting the ad-
ninistration officers asserted many
persons not entitled to vote had been
counted particularly more than one
hundred Kansas followers of Howat
who were said to have been expelled
from the union.
Started Fight Early.
Howat began his own fight for q
seat in the convention when the ses-
sion opened, his move delaying consid-
Grafton of the wage scale report. The
Kansas leader said he wished the con-
Vention to decide by an appeal whether
it would sustain his expulsion and
that of his followers. but in reply to
questions of President Lewis admitted
he had not filed an appeal from the
union executive boards order as pro-
vided by the unions constitution.
Howat contended he was only seek
ing a fair trial, which he said was the
cardinal principle of the union
I'VE feel that when the coal miners
know the truth that we will receive
Justice" said HoWat. I'VE are asking
justice for the expelled miners"
Lewis Wants Action.
In ruling Howats appeal not in or
der Lewis said: zone hundred mil
lion people are watching. waiting for
the policies that will ensue from this
convention and nov we are asked to
set aside our work to deal with pure
" internal matter and affecting the
welfare of a few individuals"
Howat's partisans among the dele
gates started an uproar. but it was si
fenced by Lewis, who continued, say
ing that HOwat and other expelled
Kansas miners "can have an appeal
any time" but that it must be decided
by the unions executive board before
coming before the convention.
Lewis also ruled that Howat, not
being a delegate, could not appeal the
ruling barring his case from the con-
vention, but later placed his ruling
before the delegates to be sustained or
rejected.
Majority Against Cuts.
The demand for retention of the
present basic wages of soft coal miners
came up for settlement today before
the special convention of the u. NJ
W. A. Majority sentiment apparently
favored indorsing the stand against
accepting any wage reductions in the
bituminous industry.
Some delegates, however. favored
asking an increase. Other proposals
named as formal demands, also
seemed certain of Endorsement, includ-
ing that of calling for wage increases
for the anthracite workers.
As soon as the demands We're dis
posed of, the program of administra-
tiOn leaders was for the convention
to consider the committee action in
policy which was a part of the scale
report and included the threat of a
strike by all union miners on April 1
in event no wage agreement is reached
before then.
VIII Call for Vote.
Just as soon as the miners national
convention ratifies the report of the
scale committee, a call will be issued
for such a vote and preparations will
be made speedily, leaders said today,
to start voting. A date will be set for
the casting of ballots and four or five
days later 1t Is expected the complete
returns will be in international head
quarters.
Sentiment will be overwhelming.
said the leaders. for a cessation of
operations on April 1.
William Green, secretary of the in
ternational union. holds strongly to the
belief that it is possible to negotiate
a new agreement for the anthrac cite
field without a suspension, but the an
thracite leaders hold just as strongly
10 the belief that it will be a physical
impossibility to get new contract
without a suspension of at least one
month
At union headquarters, belief was
expressed. however, that operators OF
the b!tuminous field who refused to
enter into joint negotiations looking
toward new contract on the assump-
ZION that the miners would ask for an
increase in wages, can no longer hold
out with good grace If the convention
upholds the scale committees recon-
meudaticn to continue the present
schedule
If the mine operators meet the min
ers $3.50 and once get into conference
it IS stated there is strong probability
of a settlement being reached.
Fight Kenyon Plan.
The mine workers are preparing for
most strenuous opposition to the new
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