The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-19
Governor Hoch Had Narrow
Escape From Juggernaut.
Motor Car Rushed on Without
Any Apologies.
RESULT: A CITY LAW.
Council Must Keep Automobiles
Off State House Square.
Or Passage Ways Through
Grounds Will Be Closed.

Governor Hoch came near getting
killed by a big red automobile unoer
the north steps of the state house ON
"wednesday afternoon. AS he steppeu
out of the basement with Samuel l.
Howe. one of the members of the state
tax commission, a huge red machlIle'
driven at great speed, plunged through
the subway without warning, anu
before the governor could get out OF the
way. the long wooden fender, or STEP
along the side of the machine, struck
him. and skinned his shins in most
complete and workmanlike manner.
The driver of the machine mercy
,.-hipped on little more speed
ana sailed out of the passage and ms
appeared. Neither the governor nor NaI.
Howe recognized the machine OF Us
driver. IT..
sie-r. boards at each entrance to Capitol
square which absolutely pronlplt tn9
driving of motor cars of any huu
through the grounds.
Wednesday afternoon the executive
council met, and notified the CITY couh-
ell that unless the city, whlcn mas po-
lice authority over Capitol square, I'M
nediately passes an ordinance prohlDiI-
ing the passing of automobiles tnrouSh
Capitol square, the passage under tne
north and south steps will be barred TO
all traffic.
It is merely another example of the
work of reckless and irresponsible auto,
mobiists which tends to preJudice an
automobile drivers with the pubic IN
eT,ite of the action OF the executive
council taken some months ago, pro-
bii,itiuy motor cars from going throuSn
the subway passage under tne hOi III
and south steps, and in spl'e OI the Dt =.
siorboards announcing this rule, 1t Is
a constant practice of motor drivers TO
go through the grounds the RUE Wa
passed for the purpose OF pIeNSItI ~
lust such accidents as governor f1o .Ci
experience yesterday showed posslo:e.
There had been many close shaVes III
the subways. and on numerous occasions
automobiles and carriages nave pareIy
missed collision -.
There is not much doubt that the CITY
council will take action on the matter
and see that special policemen are ap-
pointed il necessary, to keep autono-
biles from going through the supWdys
at high rates of speed. the eXecuuNe
council of the state has authority 70
r,robihft all teams from passing through
The state house grounds, but i'll order 10
stop the automobiles from passing
through il would he necessar-- TO prose-
cute the automobiles in the state
co,,rts for trespass. BY having a city
ordinance on the subject, jurisdiction Is
placed directly in the hands OF the city
police department
In speakins of the accident, Governor
..The reports of the affair have been
greatly exaggerated. 1 was not hur:;
1t was just a temporary fright. Inc
council was not called to take action IN
this matter; it was just brought up III
cidentaHy at the meeting neld to ar
range suita BILE observance of the death
of Judge Humphrey. 1 have often
noticed the automobiles going through
the grounds at reckless speed, and 1t
should be stopped. don't know whose
automobile it was that scared me. The
machine went through the subway ana
was followed closely by another ma
chine of similar type