The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-23
KANSAS CITY'S LEXOW
INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED MU-
NICIPAL CORRUPTION BEGUN.
Sensational Testimony Given by
mittee Catches a Tartar.

KANSAS CITY. Mo-, Jan. 22.-"LeXow-
ing'' was begun i'm earnest here this morn
ing when the House committee of seven
appointed TO investigate the alleged cor
ruption existing in the local police depart
ment began it's work. Representative Win
field 5. Pope, of Jefferson City, acting as
chairman. got the committee together in a
large parlor at the Midland Hotel. Colonel
William r. Nelson, proprietor of the Kan
City Star, was called before the COM
mittee as its first witness, the Star hav-
ing published many cases of alleged unre-
stricted gambling, and shown up other
cases of improper police doings. Col. Mel
sons testimony was i'm the nature of
reiteration of these charges.
Following him. Mayor James NJ. Jones.
whose previous term as police judge put
him in touch with gamblers and the police
force and its workings, was called. Mr..
Jones told of the effort TO suppress gamb-
ling and of the open talk of police protec-
ton. Soon after his selection 10 the mayor
atty. he said. he had asked the late chief
of police. Irwin. to cooperate with him in
suppressing the vice, but nothing was done.
He then had submitted "a resolution to the
board of police commissioners. citing the
boss" gambler. Ed Findley. especially. and
asking that the chief be requested to take
action. Police Commissioner Fyke had OBJ
jected to Findley being singled out and
the order was made general, but still no
action was taken by Chief Irwin.
Here Mayor Jones detailed Commissioners
Fyke had dismissed sixteen Republican po-
licemen of good repute. II charge" con-
tinued Mayor Jones. that these men We're
dismissed for political purposes only
,l,~
fore the board of saloon keeper Christie
Jones as a member of the board, brought
charges OF keeping a gambling house
against Christie. and asked that his license
be revoked. During the examination Chris
tie inSuted the mayor repeatedly with no
show OF restraint from the other members
of the board who finally overruled the
mayor and refused to revoke the license
Mayor Jones next produced several policy
tickets which he had bought and on the
himself. had been had.
In several instances the mayors source of
Information INF was tartly Questioned by
finally retorted well, when / came be-
fore this board you told me that you
resolution you read TO me. Now, L am here
70 give you the information. | will give
you the names of persons who saw the
gambling and know of those who saw il.
l sent some of these men out TO investi-
gate. Now, do you want Inis information
not?''
iuc NCltuSc sun ouJtCltu,
claiming that the witnesses evidence was
not conclusive and the mayor gave a
lengthy list of people whom he said would
substantiate his statements. Later Chair
man Pope ruled that witnesses We're
titled 10 counsel. Up 10 this time sum-
mons had been issued for the witnesses
whom Mayor Jones had named and he
sprung a sensation by saying: Il will
then as mayor of Kansas city and mem
Der of the police board and witness take
part in this investigation. L will examine
the witnesses. / will now ask that the wit
nesSes / gave the list of be summoned
Chairman Pope FASTENED to explain that
the mayor misunderstood him. Mayor Jones
said he would stay with the investigation