The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-08
TWO VOTED mo. !"
Chief McCOlIum Is Confirmed by
the Council.
Only Griley and Snyder Voted
Against Him.
THE 'sSPOTTER" BILLS.
Second Ward Councilman Tries
to Have Them DisalIowed.
He Is Also Outvoted in This
Contention.
HE ssSPOTTER" BILLS.

Councilmen Griley and Snyder, the
two Democratic members, voted last
night against the confirmation of Mayor
Bergundthars appointment of A E. Nc
Collum as chief of police. Each man
made speech and said that his opposi-
ton was based on the inexperience and
inefficiency of the new chief.
'Hold-ups and crimes of various
kinds seem to be getting more common
since this man went in said Mr.. Girl
ley. There have also been a lot of
good men let out who should have been
retained. 1t is no incentive for a man
on the force to get down and work hard
if he knows that outsiders are to be
taken up and promoted over his head. /"
Eight members of the council voted
in favor of McCollum's confirma ton,
however. They were Kutz, Ryder, Neil,
Wolf, Weber, Howe, Swendson and
Tincher. Nellis and Sinner were alb
sent. ,~-.f,
Griley had two chips on his shoulder
last night, and got them both knocked
off. One was the McColIum appoint
ment, which he opposed very strenuous
ly. The other was the approval of two
police department bills for ''spotter''
work. Griley fought these bills in the
claims and accounts committee last
week, and being beaten there, carried the
struggle into the council
Both of the disputed bills were drawn
in favor of Chief -McCollum. One was
For special detective service, $780," the
other read ITO secret service man, Ii
days at 81. so per day, $22.50."
Griley wanted to know who the men
We're before paying the bill.
This money goes to McCollum him
self" said Mr.. Griley. I'VE pay him
a specific salary, and 1 don't see any
reason why we should increase his pay
in this way"
Nov, Mr.. Griley, I want to correct
that statement interrupted Mayor
BeTgundthal with considerable asperi-
ty. You know as well as I do that
Mr.. McCollum does not get that money.
1t is paid out to the detectives through
him.
well, maybe he does, but how do
we know it? There's nothing on the
city records to show who gets the
"Confine yourself to the facts, that's
all I ask" retorted the mayor.
There is one bill there for $24, .
continued Mr.. Griley, drawn up in
favor of Sam Jones for special detec-
tive work. That's all right to pay that
bill We know what we are doing.
But I understood the mayor to say be-
fore the claims and accounts commit
tee that he did not know to whom this
money fer secret service men would be
paid"
st DON'T said Mr. Bergundthal
well, since the mayor has practical
~ relinquished all control OF the police
department." commenced Griley.
It haven't done any such thing" in
terrupted the mayor.
~ am merely stating what are cur
rent reports said Gri1ey. ''And I
know you are ignorant of who is to get
this money. Maybe it is McCollum
himself. How do we know"
Councilman Swendson replied to
Councilman Griley and roasted him for
nnn0SiT7c- "a of the hills eft
has been the custom for ten years"
said Mr.. Swendson. ito allow special
detective bills in this way, and Mr..
Griley knows this to be the case
When the vote was taken Griley was
the only man opposed to paying the
bills.
The money ordered paid to McCollum
will. it is stated, be paid to some
sleuths who have been hired to get the
names of people frequenting joints.
Aside from the little tiffs between the
mayor and the councilmen of the Second
ward, last nights council meeting did
nothing except to pass the monthly pay
rolls and appropriation ordinance.
The pay rolls for the month of Novem-
| n fol