The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-28
Uncle Sam After the Illegal
Liquor Sellers.
Many Failed to Secure Govern =
ment Licenses.
FOR GRAND JURY
Variety Cases Will Be Before
That Body.
Land Frauds Will Not Receive
Usual Considerations.

Indictments 1t is expected will be re-
turned against a large number of deal
ers in intoxicating liquors who have
been doing business within the state
without a government license, by the
federal grand jury which is summoned
for the April term OF the United States
district court in Topeka on April 8.
Aside from this there is no surety
that the session Of the court will con-
tain anything to startle the public or
create any great interest. The western
Kansas land fraud cases will not play a
prominent part though cases are pend
ing against John d. Bouslog, Charles
Halsey and c. W. Standiverd for per-
jury and W. L. Ashbrook, L. L. Ash
brook and Harry Ashbrook for con-
spiracy to defraud the government in
connection with filing on government
land. Indictments were returned in the
above cases by the grand jury last Oc-
3 tober.
western Kansas with regard to alleged
further violations but for the most part
the investigation is not far enough
along to place in the hands of the grand
jury anything new in connection with
these government land frauds.
The grand jury will, however. have
for its consideration several frauds at
tempted in connection with procuring
pensions.
A highway robbery committed on the
government reservation at FIT. Leaven-
worth 1t is stated by Private Eugene
Hunt of the Ninth cavalry who is now
held on that charge in the Leavenworth
county jail will be the only military
case of consequence to reach the atten-
ton of the court.
A hearing was held Wednesday be-
fore Charles Blood Smith, special mas
ter in the Wyandotte county drainage
board case where the legality of the ex-
istence of the board is being questioned
by the Rock Island, Santa Fe, Kansas
City. Southern and Union Pacific rail-
roads 1t is claimed that the act which
brought into existence the drainage
board is unconstitutional because it con-
fers legislative powers. 1t is also con-
tended that the bill when passed by the |
legislature was not read the requisite |
number of times before the different |
branches Of the legislature as required |
by law. 1t is also attacked on the |
grounds that only tax payers are per-
mitted to vote on the drainage board |
measures which is considered as uncon- |
etitutional The Wyandotte county |
drainage board in making its improve
ments to keep the high water at flood
times from encroaching on the habitablc
ground assessed a large portion of the
cost against the railroads interested |
which had property within the area
benefited. To escape this cost the suit
was filed and a hearing has been pend
ing for the past five months c. W.
Trickett of Kansas City, Kansas, who
IS one of the attorneys for the board.
claims that the plaintiffs have not
standing in the court because they first
granted that the drainage board had
legal existence In order to bring suit
and then turned around afterward and
otherwise
The attorneys for the board are L. w.
KeplinEer c. w. Trickett and Judge
Tichner for the railroads, N II. LOOMS.
Union Pacific; Paul Walker. Rock Is
land: Sam Moore, Kansas City South
ern: and H. A Scandrett, Union Pacific
On April 4 at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing exceptions will be argued before
Judge Pollock by the Union Pacific to
the findings of the special master, s.
NJ. Brewster, as to the navigability Of
The Kansas river and the order directing
mat the bridge constructed by the
Union Pacific across the Kansas river
at its mouth be rebuilt so as to not
.ockads the stream and make it Inn
possible for navigation.