The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-15
BEGINS To TRIM.
Increase lin Police Salaries is
Held Up.
Question Referred to Committee
on Ways and Means.
FIRST ACT OF ECONOMY
Other Means For Retrenchment
Expected to Follow.
Formal Transfer From Hughes
to Parker is Made.
ACT OF ECONOMY

At the last meeting of the city council
held under Col. Hughes administration, 1t
looked as though the policemen of To
peka were all sure of substatial raise
in pay.
Now things are different Mayor
Parker is in the chair, ana the final act
in the police pay law, which seemed to
be little more than a Formally, VIII
likely never be performed.
A week ago, the council passed unani-
mously a resolution instructing the city
attorney to draw up an amendment to
the salary ordinance increasing the pay
of all the policemen of the city. At the
meeting last night, the proposed ord1n
ance was presented. but was promptly
referred to the ways and means com
mittee for further consideration 1t Is
likely that it will not escape from the
committee alive.
This is the first act in the little drama
of municipal economy which is being
played by the Parker administration.
Further steps Of retrenchment are
awaited with interest.
MAYOR PARKER TAKES CHARGE.
by an edict of the suprmee court,
said Mayor Hughes to the members Oh
the city council last night at the open
ing of the meeting, = am no longer
authorized to preside over this honor
able body / want to say that L nave
appreciated the honor of this position.
The council of the city of the first class
is a most important organization. IL
equals the state Legislature in the rela-
tive Importance of its relations to the
community. Upon you as members Oh
the council devolve the work and pro
gress of the city. I want to thank you
individually and collectively for the uni
form courtesy which you have accorded
me. For my successor. 1 nope you Will
extend the same encouragement have
the honor to present to you a man VINO
needs no introduction, Mayor Albert
Parker"
With these words. Mayor Hughes re
tired from office last night and handed
the gavel over to his successor. Mayor
Parker made no speech IN reply. He
simply said:
mayor Hughes and gentlemen of the
council; 1 shall not try to make
speech because can't I trust that we
may all work together in the interests
of the city,
Councilman Warner moved that a
vote of thanks be extended to Col.
Hughes for his consideration and fair
ness in municipal affairs. This motion
and passed.
There was an immense crowd at the
council meeting last night. The chamber
was damned, and people were standing
in every available corner. The crowd
had assembled in anticipation of an an
nouncement of who is to succeed Frank
Stahl as chief of police and Frank Lind
say as police judge, but no announce
ment of this kind was made. Mayor
Parker is waiting several days before
announcing his selection for these i'm
portant offices, in order to give the
present incumbents time to square up
their books.
The meeting did not begin till we'll on
toward O'Clock, as the committee on
streets and walks was holding secret
session in Mayor Parker's office. and
did not finish their deliberations till late
There were several important items
of business transacted. Mena H. Quin-
ton was paid $3.50 for the lots which
she has sold to the city for Central
park. A petition for paving Van Buren,
street from Seventeenth to Twentieth
was read and referred. A petition Cor
widening Fillmore street between Sec
ond and Fourth was read. An appro-
priation was made to pay for the build
The council adjourned to meet on
Monday, January 20.