The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-30
Effort to Be Made to Secure an
Early Hearing.
LOOKS LIKE COERCION.
Mr.. Billiard Trying to Force Lo-
cation In City Park.
Effort Made to InYeigle Mr..
Kuehne Into the Scheme.
His Colleagues Are Kept In the
Dark.

Mr.. ]. Bilious Billiard, manager of the
Topeka injunction factory has not dis
closed the names of his assistants. They
are supposed to be hiding in the rushes
along the Kansas river waiting for the
clouds to roll by The wrath of the
progressive people OF Topeka is on them
but it is due everybody concerned to say
that the public has it's eagle eye on Mr..
Billiard, the arch conspirator and insti-
gator of the plot and is inclined to be-
lieve that there are few people in the
city who would lend their influence to
such a scheme.
There is something mysterious about
the whole matter which forces some of
those interested to think that the pro-
ceedings are inspired by a desire to in
huence the location of the new city hall
MIR. Otto Kuehne, who has a reputa-
tion as wide awake and public spirited
citizen, gave the following interesting
facts today which may furnish the
fiimsy and insecure foundation for the
injunction:
Il want it distinctly understood that
I have nothing whatever to do with
this injunction and / will have nothing
to do with it, said Mr.. Kuehne.
Mr. Billiard talked to me one day not
long ago. He asked me if would like
to have the auditorium built in the city
park and L told him that had been q
supporter of that plan from the first
He then asked me if 1 would be will
ing to give 5000 to have the auditorium
put in the city park. 1 told him that
would but that it was no use TO talk
about it now as 1 did not see how it
could be done.
He said I should leave that to him
and nothing whatever was said about
an injunction and 1 had no thought of
anything of the kind. L will have moth
ing to do with it,
Mr. Billiard will find that coercion viii
not accomplish results. The people
have voted on this question and by
a # RI fn nrao
the city council instructions which they
not disregard.
Topeka wants city hall and is going
to have it. The man who gets in the
way of the band wagon of progress will
be run over. The vehicle can not be
stopped.
At 2 o'clock today the injunction pa
pers had not been filed. There is no
indication that the suit has been declar-
ed off and the attorneys will probably
file the papers this afternoon or on
Saturday.
Mayor Drew, City Attorney Bird and
others who are entrusted with the man
agement of the enterprise are ready for
the fight and the enemies of city deVel-
opment will find that the people Will
not be frightened by any shape that
springs out Of the bushes crying boo
Mayor Drew said today: This pro-
ceeding may delay things short time.
but 1 hope that it may be disposed OF
as soon as possible. The council knows
what the people want and there is no
sympathy for those who are not ready
to accede to the spoken sentiment Of
the people,
Councilman w. S. Chaney said: ct
do not suppose the suit will have any
other effect except to delay the project
l have confidence in the result and hope
that we can go right on and build the
city hall as the people directed and
without interference.
Councilman James Warner said: 81
call this pretty small business and I
am unable to understand why any one
should take such a step. We have not
yet selected a site and L do not believe
compelled to. The people will get what
they want if we are able to give it to
them"
City Attorney Bird said: ''I am ready
for the fight. Ny only wish is that the
case may be disposed of as soon as pos
sible so as not to interfere with the
active work.
II shall ask the court to hear the case
al once, and I believe that in view of all
quest: l am ready right now to argue the
II believe that the injunction can be
knocked OUT
President R. S. Brigham of the Com
mercial club said: u suppose that We
must expect this kind of opposition I am
very sorry however, that any member OF
the CommerciaI club should have any
thing to do with it, for our organization
has worked hard for the auditorium
G. G. Clemens one of the attorneys for
thing of muss about this business. L
am perfectly willing to take the money,
but 1 don't want any of the blame"
1t would be a good thing for the legal
profession If attorneys would refuse to
take cases which are aimed the welfare
and progression of the city