The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-15

but refused to discuss the matter or
say what will or viii not be done.
Commissioner Henderson labOrs un-
der the misapprehension that he is un-
der no obligation to the people of To-
peka for the public money he spends
Cor wastes). He has never given them
any satisfaction when they asked in
formation from him as to his methods
as a public officer, and has altogether
acted in a high handed and stubborn
manner, as if it We're no concern of the
people of Topeka how much money
they were bilked out of in the name OF
the police force. Mr.. Henderson does
not seem to realize that the police force
is for the use of the people Of Topeka.
who pay for it, and not a machine for
him and his POpulist colleague to man
iDulate as they please
When asked whether the force would
be reduced or salaries raised, Commis-
siOner Henderson said:
L know nothing whatever about it. I
have nothing to say"
do you favor compliance with Judge
Hazen's decision as demanded by May
or Fellows 2"
Il have nothing to say" was the re-
ply
All efforts to secure an expression OF
opinion or anything about his position
in the controversy was futile.
Mayor Fellows was seen and said:
I have nothing more to say now I
may have something in a few days"
The members of the city council will
stand by Mayor Fellows in the con-
troversy, and if the board does not
make the reduction, the salary ac-
counts will not be allowed.
EX-POlice Commissioner L. T. Yount
in speaking Of the affair said: Il think
that there is nothing to do but follow
the order of Judge Hazen. But il
seems to me that Mayor Fellows is
somewhat inconsistent. It is only a
short time ago that the council met and
declared that the police force should
not be reduced and now Mayor Fellows
and the city council are clamOring for
its reduction. It strikes that there
is a lack of consistency somewhere.
The force is not larger now than it has
been under other administrations"
Following are some opinions from
heavy tax payers:
Mr.. A. L. Williams-If Judge Hazen's
ruling is the law, there is no way left
for the police commissioners to do but
reduce the police force. L think Mayor
Fellows has taken the right stand and
the only stand he could take under the
circumstances Personally, / would be
in favor of letting out the whole force
and then hiring the burglars to protect
the city.
Major T. ]. Anderson-I think the
police force should be reduced. The
city should do exactly as a railroad
does; when finances get low retTench
on expenses. If the city hasn't money
to Fay the police there is no other way
to do but reduce the force. The city
should own the water works and then
there would be enough made to pay the
entire running expenses of the jolice de-
partment.
Mr. w. H. Davis-As far as protec-
ton is concerned don't think we have
any too large force. Either this is
true or the present force is incompe-
tent. But if the law requires the re-
duction of the force, the law should
certainly be carried out. I think that
if Mr.. Billiard is making the stand sim
ply as spite work, it is entirely too
small an action for the head of the po-
lice department. I think the stand ia
ken by Mayor Fellows is the right ona,
both because of the ruling of Judge
Hazen and the condition of the city
finances