The Topeka state journal., 1899-07-14
BATTLE is ON.
Contest With Topeka Obstruc-
tiOnists Commences.
They Stay Away From the
Court Room.
WITH AN ATTORNEY.
Their Hired Man Left to Wage
Fight.
Progress Must Be Headed Off
Somehow.
Never Do to Have Topeka Out
Never Do to Have Topeka Out
grow Her Childhood.

The auditorium injunction hearing
began before Judge Hazen at o'clock
this morning, but the attempt of the
obstructionists to prove by Mayor
Drew that the building is to be used for
purposes not strictly in accordance with
those for which a. public building may
be used were unsuccessful. In fact, the
testimony in most points was exactly
opposite to what the ObstructiOnists had
expected.
There was no great rush of spectators
at the hearing. The injunction factory
hands apparently did not have time to
attend and barring three or four Of the
city officials. a few lawyers. and some
of the regular court hangers-on, no one
was present.
After the pleadings had been read to
the court, Mayor Drew was placed on
the stand by the injunctionists. and G.
Q. Clemens began the direct examina-
ton After skirmishing with few an
trOductOry questions he asked:
What is meant by city hall?"
"A room large enough for convention
purposes" answered Mayor Drew.
What part of the proposed new
building will be taken up by 1t?''
"One-half, at least"
IN what part of the building viii 1t
be lOcated2"
I don't know. That question has not
been fully settled yet"
is the fire department to be located
In the same building2".
Mr.. Clemens then read the general
plan for the building as it has been
published. and asked If that did not in
dicate that the fire department is to be
separate from the part of the building
in which the auditorium is to be loca-
ted.
No answered Mayor Drew. 'the
fire department has the best corner.
but it is connected with and is part of
the building ITSELF
Has there been any objection to 10
eating the fire department In the audi
torium building?"
Not in the council
Nor by the councilmen2"
No"
Has there been no discussion along
this Iine2"
Not in the council
''Wen, in any way?'
4 have seen it mentioned In the pa
HAS there been no discussion be
tween the Commercial club and the
council relative to the matter?"
NO, the Commercial club has never
met with the council"
We'll. hasn't there been some discus
sion going on back and forth between
these bodies 90
Not so far as the council is con-
cerned. I don't know what the Com
merciaI club may have said about it in
their own meetings, further than the
reports have read in the papers"
What kind Of conventions is the
building to be used fOr?"
Political conventions and other large
gatherings of that character"
state conventions? ,"
For theatrical purposes?"
No
1T is not to be used for anything but
state conventions"
Yes. for any large public gathering"
Can the people Of Topeka meet
there?"
Yes, but it will not be let for hire"
You say II can be used onlyfor meet
ings like state conventions 20
Mr.. Clemens in conducting his ex-
animation stood with his left ear close
to the witness, but it was evident that
he had not fully understood some of the
answers and the court directed an ex-
pIanatiOn to be made to him
L said state conventions among other
things" said Mayor Drew.
What other things?' ?''
Grand lodge meetings, county con-
ventiOns. city conventions, or any gath
erings of that charac cter"
Gould it not be let to political conven-
tfons for hire2''
NO. it won't be let in that way. Any
political party that is too poor to hire a
hall could meet there"
Have the bonds for the building ac-
tually been signed?"
No
Printed or engraved?''
s.No."
What has been done towards them -
I'VE have contracted to sell them and