It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the operation of any such industry, employment, utility, or common carrier willfully to limit or cease operations for the purpose of limiting production or transportation or to affect prices, for the purpose of avoiding any of the provisions of this act, except that any person, firm or corporation so engaged may apply to the secretary of labor for authority to limit or cease operations, stating the reasons thereof the secretary shall hear such application promptly in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act, and if such application is found to be in good faith and meritorious, the secretary shall grant authority to limit or cease operations.

In all such industries, employments, utilities or common carriers in which operation may be ordinarily affected by changes in season, market conditions, or other reasons or causes inherent in the nature of the business, the secretary may, upon application and after notice to all interested parties, and investigation, as herein provided, make orders fixing rules, regulations and practices to govern the operation of such industries, employments, utilities or common carriers for the purpose of securing the best service to the public consistent with the rights of employers and employees engaged in the operation of such industries, employments, utilities or common carriers.