The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-14
CRUSADE WANING
WyandOtte Liquor Cases Not Be-
ing Pushed So Hard.
WcCamish Makes a Sudden
Change in Programme.
NO MORE TRIALS NOW.
Notifies Court That He Cannot
Take Up Others at Present.
Are Thfrty-One Yet Remaining
on the Court Docket.

Kansas City, Kas., Dec. 1.-THE
prosecution of liquor cases here by
William II. Mechanism, special assist
ant attorney general appointed by
Governor Hoch to enforce the pro-
hibition law in Wyandotte county,
took a sudden turn late yesterday
afternoon during the trial in the court
of common pleas Of M. J. Higgins,
charged with operating a "jOint" at
723 Miami avenue. Mr.. McCamish
created sensation by announcing
that ne was not ready to try the
thirty-one other cases which he has
on the docket. A message was sent
to 3. S. Smith. deputy county attor-
ney, to be ready to begin trying his
cases today. Smith, who had stepped
aside to let Mr.. McCamish have a
free hand with his cases, was very
angry and said that he could not go
to trial upon such short notice.
May Be Dismissed.
Judge W. G. Holt announced that
the cases would be called in their or
der and that some disposition of them
would have to be made. This means
that unless MECHANISM decides to act
today the cases may be dismissed.
AT the beginning of the trial of G. S.
Kenney Monday, Mechanism said that
he would try every case. SubpOenas
had been issued in four cases After
the acquittal Of Kenney Tuesday Nc
Camish declared that he would con-
tinue the fight. The trial of Higgins
was begun yesterday morning. After
jury had been secured and several
witnesses examined, Mr.. McCamish
sent word to 3. S. Smith to get ready
to try his cases.
The court room was crowded when
Smith entered. His manner showed
that he was angry and he fastened to
call MECHANISM aside. A WHISPERED
Holt.
IT am not ready in these other
cases, was all that the crowd heard
of what MECHANISM said
81 can't have my witnesses here to-
morrow" said Smith. It's now
o clock in the afternoon and court
opens at $3.50"
you have had a month at least to
prepare for these trials and you
should be ready" said Judge Holt to
Mechanism. Il will call these cases in
their regular order and they must he
disposed of when called" The Judge
spoke so that all in the room could
hear him.
We are ready for trial" said John
A. Hale, who represents the Joint
keepers, 'and viii be unwilling to con-
tinue the cases"
MECHANISM Disappointed.
MI Mechanism said last evening that
De had been disappointed in his witnesses
Persons who had said they knew LIQUOR
was sold had been unable to swear to it,
The trial of Higgins viii be continued to-
day and Mechanism said last night that he
would try to be ready in one more case
his manner showed that he was disap-
pointed. Mr. Smith said last night chat
ne would try to get his cases ready and
issued several subpOenas.
A jury was secured in the Higgins case
yesterday a few minutes after noon. $
j. Ihackery Of 1909 Virginia avenue Kan
sas city, kan, was the first witness He
sald he had bought drinks in the Joint at
10 Miami avenue November s.
SpOtter Evidence.
Mr. Thackery is in the railway mail SER
wee on cross-examinatfon he said that
me day he bought the drinks he was out
spottng joints. He did not know who
ran the joint He said he went in at the
Rack door as a For Rent sign was on
tne front door NJ. A Waterman was
81 70 testify as to the description OF