Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-09-17
1T WAS DESIGNED TO HEAD OFF AN
INVESTIGATION.
ADMINISTRATION IN TROUBLE.
GRAND JURY MAY PROBE INTO KAN
sAs CITY, KAS., MATTERS.
Christian EndeavOr Union Has
Reached Point in It's Anti
Joint Fight Where 1t Can
Dictate Terms to Gov
crnOr Leedy.

Topeka, Kas., Sept. 16.-(SpeciaL) 1t
leaked out here to-day that Governor
Leedy's flying trip to Kansas City. Kas.,
last night, was made to head off, If pos
sible, an investigation of the metropolitan
police officials of that city by a grand jury.
For several weeks the Christian Endeavor
Union of Kansas City, Kas., has been wag-
ing war on the jointists and gamblers of
that town, but it has not succeeded in
closing any of the places as yet. How
ever, vast fund of Information has been
obtained and now the governor has been
called upon to fish or cut bait" The
union has issued an ultimatum, the pur-
port of which is that the governor shall
either order the police board to do its duty
and close up the gambling houses and
joints or suffer the consequences of a grand
jury investigation of the workings and of
the methods of the police department of
Kansas City, Kas. The names of witnesses
have already been obtained, and it is said
that some evidence very damaging to the
state officials has been procured.
In the event the governor refuses to act,
a petition will be presented for the calling
of a grand jury to investigate the charges
of malfeasance in office on the part of
the governors suhordinates there. The
list of witnesses includes some of the most
prominent men of Kansas City, Kas., and
1t is predicted that the evidence will create
CONSERVATION at kaw point. For instance,
the union will subpoena prominent city
official and leader in the Christian church,
and also county official and one of the
leading spirits in the Episcopal church. to
prove that gambling exists in that town.
The reason that these two officials will be
subpoenaed is because they were caught
gambling in one of the places, and if they
deny it witnesses will be placed on the
stand to show that they were gambling
and then charges of perjury may be lodged
against them.
gamblers near the state line short time
ago. the police became greatly exercised
and the governor was appealed to. w. L.
Brown, chairman of the state board of
charities, warm personal friend of the
governor. happened to have some busi-
ness in Kansas City, Kas., and while there
took occasion to read the riot act to Pfost.
The judge took 1t for granted that Brown
had been sent to him. but he said he would
not take water. Brown told him that he
was making fool of himself. and, besides,
conduct. but Pfost would not reient.
Brown intimated that Pfost might be de-
capitated. but the judge said he did not be-
lieve the governor would dare to remove
him Just because he was attempting to en-
force the anti-gambling laws. Brown said
that there was more than one way to kill a
Cali that tuS SOSeTuOT pTODdDly nut
remove him. but that the law creating the
city courts of Kansas City. Kas., might be
repealed at the special session. This fright
ened Pfost, and since then he has not been
so bloodthirsty after the gamblers.
When the story of the visit of Leedy's
friend Brown to Judge Pfost, for the pur-
pose of getting him to lie down in his fight
on the gamblers, became public, the prime
movers in the Christian Endeavor Union
became enraged. They realized more
strongly than ever that they could get the
administration to do nothing by, pleading
with it. and it was resolved to adopt more
radical measures. So the idea of a grand
jury was hit upon. and unless the governor
soon takes some steps to suppress gam
bling and the joints of Kansas City, Kas.
the people of the state will learn in detail
of the rottenness which exists in political
circles of that city and it may result in
some of the officials going to jail.
Leedy and the police officials and Judge
Pfost besides some other Pops, held
lengthy conference last night and canvassed
the situation. Just what was determined
upon is not known. All of them refuse to
talk. 1t Is evident, however, that the ad-
ministration proposes to take some action
to stave off the investigation.