The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-18
Wants Council to See That All
is Turned Over.
THE POLICE REPORTS,
Mr.. Wolf Thinks They Should
Be More in Detail.
Judge Magaw Says He Invites
an Investigation.

the Third ward, introduced a resolution
last night at the council meeting to
statutes. The resolution calls upon the
police judge to make a more detained
report than required in the state laws.
and was gotten up not to be passed. put
to furnish a vehicle for the insinuatlon
that the police officials, or some OF
them, are getting doodle" out of the
joints, fallen women and gambling
houses of the city.
referred to a committee. was as foi-
lows:
Resolved by the mayor and city
council of the city of Topeka that from
shall, in making his monthly report.
state fully the time and full name OF
each person fined in police court, the
exact amount of each fine paid. the full
charged for which each fine was 1m~
posed. and the house or street number
or other exact location where each
offense was committed for which each
fine was imposed and collected
This resolution was supported by Mr.
Wolf and Mr.. Tincher. both of whom
argued from the assumption that a GER
tain alleged list of joints In the city.
printed in connection with the Parker
impeachment proceedings, is correct.
This list comprised what purported to
be the names and locations of "a joints.
Mr.. Wolf figured out that at the rate
of $50 per month the city is not getting
all the revenue it should out of the
joints. He claimed that either the city
is not getting all that is collected, or
else that some joints run without pay
ing a license.
City Attorney Spencer states posi-
lively that the amendment is absurd
and that it is directly contrary to law.
The law concerning the reports Of the
police judge is as follows:
The police judge shall within the first
three days of each month make out a
fore him during the preceding month.
giving in each case the name of the de-
PENDANT, the fine imposed, If any, the
amount of the costs Showing the
amount taxed in favor Of each Officer.
the names of defendants committed, the
causes appealed to the district court.
and the amount collected by him as
fines and costs separately"
lice Judge Magaw said: II have COM
piled with the general spirit of this law
in every particular, and believe that
If Mr.. Wolf had cared to investigate
the records of the police department he
would not have started this fight. l
am following exactly the form followed
by Police Judge Ferry during his term
of office, and exactly the same I my
have held Office. Ny reports state the
name of the person arrested, the date
of the arrest. the amount Of the fine
imposed, the amount collected in cash
amount of back fines collected, the total
amount Of witness fees collected.
whether the cases are appealed or pend
ing. It specifies the amount Of witness
fees collected in each case, and that
constitutes practically all the costs in
our court. As no fees are paid officers,
this part OF the statute is unnecessary.
AS far as the law is concerned. I pro-
pose to continue to make out my re-
ports in strict accordance with the
statutes, regardless of Mr.. VOLTS reso-
luton.
LAS matter of accommodation to the
council, however, 1 might be willing to
give them report embodying any other
information they DESIRE far as pos
sess it. If they want the location of
joints which are pulled. will give it as
far as possible. but 1t must be under
stood that jointists are arrested merely
on view by the officers, without any
complaint, and not on nuisance charges.
They are simply brought up before me.
and fined, and that is all know about
it. I can not give the exact spot where
arrests are made, unless complaint Is
drawn. The disorderly houses are usual
ly rafded simply with a warrant for the
proprietor, and the officers take in with
out warrants all the women found in
the house. / am willing to give the
council any information possible for the
benefit of the police department.
OTHER BUSINESS OFTHE COUNCIL.
Councilman Weber introduced a reso.
luton to rescind the action of the coun-
ell in making the assessment for the
benefit district in his ward for opening
Second. Third and Fillmore streets.
There is not much show that the resolu-
ton will be passed, as the city attorney
holds that it is entirely out of the range
of the councils powers to take such ac-
ton as the resolution proposes.
The resolution will probably have the
effect of convincing some of Mr.. Weber's
constituents that he is doing all he can
to help them out of the benefit district
muddle, which is making much trouble
for Mr. Weber. Some of the Fourth
ward people believe that Mr.. Weber is
to blame for the existing situation. The
resolution is as follows:
whereas, it appears that the assess
ment made to pay for the opening.
widening and extending of Second, Third
and Fillmore streets as provided in or
dinance No 1855 is irregular and void
for the reason that the same was not
made according to the benefits derived,
Therefore be it resolved that the ac-
ton of the council in making said as
sessment be rescinded and that il it can