The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-27
HE STARTLED
THE COUNCIL.
Chief of Police Steele Goes Be-
fore the City Fathers
And Boldly Advocates Licensing
the Sale of Liquor.
ENDORSED BY LEEDY.
The Governor Heard it and
Said Nothing.
The Chief Cites Other Kansas
Cities as Examples. -
COnfesSes to the Council That
nsronHo-Tr. DIooo1
The Chief Cites Other Kansas
Cities as Examples. -
COnfesSes to the Council That
DisOrderly Places
PAY FOR PRIVILEGES.
Defends the System as COndu-
Give to Better Morals.
Council Was Stunned and Took
No Action.

The Topeka city council received
some free advice on retrenchment from
the state administration last night.
Gov Leedy, Chief of Police Steele
and Commissioner Henderson met with
the council to discuss the reduction of
the police force. They We're there by
invitation of the city council.
Some startling things were said by
Chief of Police Steele, and while Gov.
Leedy sat stolidly in his seat without
commenting on the remarks of his sub
ordinate, it is to be presumed that he
indOrSed what was said. Gov. Leedy is
a good listener and he exercised that
virtue to a good advantage last night.
The council wanted to hear what he
thought about cutting off a dozen pa
tro1men. He said:
Gentlemen, 1 wish it distinctly un-
derstood that I want to see the city
council and police department work in
harmony. I do not believe in extrava-
gance, and if there is any chance to
save money, I am in favor of doing so.
I will go further, and say that if this
council will suggest where the police
force can be reduced and will take the
responsibility for the reduction, it will
be done"
Gov Leedy stood for a moment, ap-
parently waiting for suggestions, but
they were not made and ne sat down,
and after that he did not open his
mouth. He seemed to enjoy the dis
cussiOn, but il he approved or disap-
proved what was said, he did not in
dicate what his feelings were.
The city council has for some time
been studying economy. They have
ordered the street commissioner to
keep his pay roll down to 81 900 per
month, and they have been trying for
some time to induce the police commits
SiOnerS to practice economy in their
department. The meeting last night
was an executive one and was called
for the purpose of discussing the pO-
lice administration, and that is why
Gov. Leedy was invited to be present.
Chief Steele seemed to be the spOkes-
man. He did most of the talking. He
showed how the police were distribut-
ed over the city and said that he could
not spare any He said that he had
never advised the placing of watch
man at the bridge and thought that
that place might be abolished, but he
would consent to no further reduc-
tions
This far there was nothing in what
Chief Steele said to startle anyone but
Z he took another step in the way of ad-
vice to the city council on the general
question of retrenchment. He had
studied the question as presented in
other cities of the first class. He found
that they were licensing their joints
and securing a large revenue. He said
that the prohibition law cannot be en-
forced in Topeka because a conviction
could not be secured. He had sub
pOenaed a large number of witnesses
in the Nick Chiles case, but they per-
jured themselves.
1T creates criminals said he, "for
men will go the stand and perjure
themselves. If we had a license sys-
tenn, this would not happen"
The chief seemed greatly interested
in what he was saying and his enthusi-
asm carried him a step farther He
boldly admitted that he was collecting
a raOIl1aT fine license from the OiSOT-
derly houses. This has been done in
the interest of morality" said he. I'VE
have driven 80 disreputable women
from the city, street walkers and the
lowest class and they are now in Kan
sas City and other places We have put
a stop to street walking by our method
of handling these women and we have
turned a nice sum into the city treas
ury every month.
I have a plan by which some money
can be saved and this is to let the police
department do the sanitary work. That
is the way it is done in Leavenworth
and it would result in the saving of
about 5000 per month Chief Steele
then launched into an explanation of
how the police might do the sanitary
work He said he would have every
patrOlman commissioned as a sanitary
officer and work under the direction of
a sanitary sergeant appointed by the
board of police commissioners. He said
that it was natural for the police to re-
ceive complaints where there was a bad
sanitary condition existing and in case
of accidents they were nearly always
reported to the police first He thought
that if the city physician had his office
at the police station it would greatly
facilitate the work
The councilmen seemed stunned with
what Chief Steele had said They had
a notion that a license was being col
lected from disorderly women but they
did not dream that the chief of police
would come before them and the COVER
nor and admit that it was true. They
were surprised that he should openly
advise the abrogation of the law be-
cause it could not be enforced and to
bring revenue to the city.
Councilman Skinner had prompted
Chief Steele until the truth came out
but it is doubtful if even he expected
the admission.
Councilman Morgan took the floor
after Chief Steele sat down. 81 will tell