The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-03

council voted to delay action until both
sides OF the case can be heard.
HEAR M'FARLAND CHARGES.
Mayor Parker and the police commit
tee fixed it up last night to Investigate
the charges made b.. Rev J. T. McFar-
land against the police department. The
plan IS to have DR.. Mcfarland produce
his evidence before a committee of six,
composed of Griley. Blossom and Weber,
the police committee, assisted BY three
members Of the council appointed by
Mayor Parker. Mr.. Parker appointed
Howe, Bergundtha1 and Neil.
It IS doubtful whether Bergundthai
and Howe consent to serve on the COM
mIttee. They intimated last night that
they would have nothing to do with It.
MI Neil will be out of town for two
weeks So nothing may come Of the in
yestIgatlon for the time, at least.
It is also doubtful whether DR.. Nc
F'arland would consent TO produce his
charges before this committee, as he
has SAID he would not submit to an
investigation by the police committee,
as he considered that committee partial
~ on trial itself
The following communication, signed
by Joseph Griley. chairman of the po-
lice committee. was read to the coun-
ell:
ITO Albert Parker, Mayor of the City
of Topeka.
Whereas. DR.. J. T. Mcfarland did
on the 18th day Of January, 1903 nIb-
licly charge from the pulpit Of the 7 irst
Methodist church of this city, that the
police department was guilty of gross
misconduct of duty at the police sta
| ton, true copy of which said charges
is hereto attached, marked exhibit A,
and made a part hereof, and
Whereas, The said DR.. j. Z. McFar-
land did from said pulpit on said -
day of January, 1903, publicly state
| that he would, If called upon, produce
r., lot raf7s7
Now, therefore we, the police com
mittee Of the city Of Topeka respect
fully recommend that you appoint
, three members of the city council to sit
with us as a committee of five, to re-
ceive said charges and investigate the
same.
And we further recommend that
you act as presiding officer of said
committee, and that you call said com
mittee together at once in order that
it may proceed without delay to sum-
mon the said J. T. Mcfarland to give
testimony before said committee and
request him to give any and all evil
dence he may have in support of said
charges
Councilman swendson, who repre-
sents the radical prohibition element Of
the council, wanted to amend this COM
municatiOn, probably with the inten-
ton of having the invest cation before
the whole council, but the mayor shut
him Off by saying that the cOmmuni-
cation was not addressed to the cOun-
Gil and the council had no voice in the
matter He therefore was forced to
subside, while Mayor Parker appointed
Howe, Bergundthal and Neil as the
additional members of the committee.
DEAD LETTER ORDINANCE.
City Attorney Spencer called the at
| tention of the council to two ordinances
which are systematically violated III
the city, and which are liable to be a
source of damage suits.
The first is the ordinance against
leaving wagons and other Instructions
standing in the streets and on the side
walks. The wagon shops are chief of
Tenders in this particular, and the city
now has one damage suit on hand due
TO a bIcycllst running into a wagon
which was obstructing the street at
night.
The other dead letter ordinance Is
concerning the safety of sidewalks on
Kansas avenue. FIagstones covering
areaways and coal holes are in many
places unsafe, and liable to precipitate
pedestrians, into Unknown depths. The
city now has one suit on hand due to
the breaking of a f1agstone Street
Commissioner Griggs was present, and
stated that for two weeks he has been
investigating these dangerous side
walks, and is having them made safe
as fast as possible.
Dennis J. Whitney filed a claim for so
for damage done to bedding by alleged
ferred.
]. Hin. member OF the sanitary force
who attends to fumigations filed bill for
S11.66 for night work. BY a vote of TO
the council voted to pay the bill Mr.
Hill is the only member of the sanitary
force who seems to have enough to keep
him busy.
c. L. Vanderpool, sanitary sergeant. fled
a bill for SO for extra work done in visit
/ ing smallpox cases on Sunday. The coun-
ell seemed to be in doubt whether or not
UNFAIRLY withdrew the bill.
The following paving petitions were read
and referred to the committee on streets
and walks:
Kansas avenue Thirteenth to Euclid, 50
feet wide. Fort Scott curbing, Capital City
vitriffed brick.
feet wide, Fort Scott curling, vitrified
Taylor street from Fourth to Sixth. 30
feet wide, Fort Scott curbing, Capital
City, Coffeyville or Lawrence brick.
Madison street from Second to Third. 30
feet wide, Fort Scott curling, vitrified
brick
Kansas avenue from Gordon to Kious
45 feet wide. Allen, Lyon county. curbing
vitrified brick.
Eleventh street from Quincy to Van
Buren,. 80 feet wide, Fort Scott curbing,
Vitrified brick
The Following sidewalks were petitioned
West side of Buchanan from Second to
West side of Madison from Kious to
East side of Kansas avenue from Sew
enteenth to Eighteenth
West side of Lincoln between Fourteenth
On East Sixth street near Locust
A petition was filed asking for q benefit
THE RIGHT THING.