The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-22
MAYOR is SILENT.
Still Refuses to Discuss Police
Matters.
Won't Call Council Meeting for
Monday Night.
CHANGE is COMING.
No Doubt That McCoIIum Is to
90.
Still Believed That Stahl Will
Succeed Him.

Mayor Bergundthal returned today
from his trip to Emporia- He is as
silent and uncommunicative on the
police situation as ever.
Nothing to say is the mayors
stock reply TO all questions on the
subject
s.Win there be a council meeting
called for Monday night?" the mayor
was asked.
Il haven't called any. and don't ex-
pect to- was the reply.
''Is McCollum coming back from
Wa KeeneyP"
Il don't know said the mayor 4
didn't even know where he had gone
he said he wanted to get of for a few
days TO go back TO his old home, and
1 told him all right
Tt has been believed by some that
McCollum's trip to Wa keeney was
arranged simply as q means Of let
ting MCCOllum down easy Some say
that when he returns to Topeka il
VIII be just as plain A. z. 1fcGoi1uT1,
and not as Chief McCollum- Some
are even so unkind as to intimate that
he may not return at ALL but will To-
cate at Wa Keeney permanently. This
is no doubt mistake, however, as
Mr.. McCollum has purchased property
in Topeka since becoming chief of pO-
lice. and has at his Office in the police
station desk and a law library
which are his personal property.
Mayor Bergundthal is being severe
~ criticised by many people, and even
by his friends, for delaying for SO long
the dismissal of McCoIlum from the
Office Of chief of police, but he seems
to have beer simply waiting to get
some one for the place who would Ill
the bill Frank Stahl has had the
backing of the law and order people
who elected Bergundthal. and though
Bergundthal did not much like the
idea Of appointing Stahl he seems to
have finally yielded TO the pressure
There was one report yesterday that
BergunQthal had promised certain par
ties, prior to his election. that he would
not appoint Stahl chief if elected The
mayor says he made 10 promises 70
anybody. Those who told the story
said that Bergundthals delay in dis
missing McCollum was because he has
been trying TO find somebody besides
Stahl TO take the place
1t is rather queer thing in the pres
ent situation that while it is lust as
good as settled that McCouum viii be
succeeded by Stahl, as the State Jour
nal announced a week ago. the mayor
himself refuses to give the slightest
information to the public. Everything
comes secoud-handed-
i have not told anybody what I am
am going to do" said the mayor TODAY
ar furthermore. don't propose &c
tell anybody until I get ready
McConum's Law Office.
More of the details OF Chief McCoI-
lum's connection with B. F. Powell
the young attorney are coming to light
which tend to put McCollum in a very
ridiculous light.
McCollum friendship for Powell
seems to date from the time that ne
became chief and sold TO Powell his
collection agency business. He seemed
20 consider Powell a sort of annex tc
the citys legal department.
When John Miller a young man living
down by the river, was assaulted and
pounded By some Of his friends he
came before McCoilum and made a COM
paint against his assaIlauts. Miller was
an attorney, and Powell was sent for
snu came to the police station. When
me case came on for trial. Powell was
tne1e 70 represent Miller. Assistant
tlty attorney Crmy was also there 70
represent Miller. as the complaining wit
ness Powell started in to make a speech.
ana lrl1Y told MIN 10 sit down. that If
WASH MS time to make speeches OF
course Inere was not the slightest ueces-
sly Aok an attorney 10 represent Miller
A. is the city business 10 do that
Powell was sent for by Mr.. McCoIluu
IN sever otner cases, to appear on be-
na1 OF the city II seems 10 have been
HeIelE a scnerne TO get a lawyers fee out
legal department of the whole citv Al his
disposal and does not need a LAWYER
II = reported on good authority that
an elIoft was made to get the city rail
strength Of his supposed connection witt
the city legal department. When r Q
Kelley, OF the city railway. was asked In
regard TO this report today he smiled
Euggestiyely- and said;
i don't remember anything about it
I've forgotten.