The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-19
Chief Eaton Doesn't Like New
Auto Ordinance.
Says 1t Is Like Wichita Law
Without Good Features.
TROUBLE FOR BAKER.
Persistent Law ViOlator May
Go to Prison.
Arrested on Charge of Assault
With Deadly Weapon.

1t is the opinion of Chief Police Eaton
that the new ordinance submitted to the
council last night regarding automobile
regulation and left in the hands of the
police committee is a combination of ex-
tracts from the ordinance of the city
of Wichita with the good points ignor-
ed.
The following letter was received at
the station this morning:
"R. w. Eaton, Chief of Police, Topeka,
Kan.
Dear Sir:-Enclosed find auto ordin-
ance as per request. We have had con-
siderable trouble with speeders in the
past and they have been fined all the
way from SIS to $25. We find them a
hard lot to deal with owing to the So
cial standing of many of them.
yours respectfully,
The enclosed ordinance of 16 sections
provides a fine not to exceed 800 for
any violation. Section 8, the speed sec
ton allows: A speed of six miles an
hour when turning corner of inter
Secting streets or crossroads; speed
of eight miles an hour while passing in
terSecting streets or crossroads;a speed
of 10 miles an hour within the fire linn
its; elsewhere a speed of 20 miles an
exceed 5000 for anyone driving in a race
upon the highway or in park. Sec
tons regarding numbers lights, and the
rules of passing are practically the same
as adopted everywhere.
The speed limits are the chief bone
OF contention of the autoists CHIEF
Eaton says: Il would be in favor of an
ordinance just like the Wichita article
without any changes. But the new or
dinance proposed does not provide for
an eight mile speed at the street inter-
sections; 20 miles is the limit in the
resident districts and a straightway run
I1e- afNrn
the intersecting streets is too fast.
Still the 20 mile speed at the mid
blocks with a showdown to eight at the
is practical absurdity
for no driver would make the continuous
spurtS and brake applications and po-
licemen stationed at any corner would
prove a dragnet to catch nearly every
driver in the resident Sections-but 20
miles except when turning Is too fast
for the safety of others who have a
right upon the streets. Again if we
had had that racing section here there
v ould have been some large fines in the
Police court recently. The fine limit:
At any rate the Topeka police are not
alone in their troubles enforcing the
speeding ordinance.
For stealing $2S from his room
mate and hiding it under a corner of
the carpet until he saw a good chance
to move, has resulted IN the arrest of
Frank Grimes on a charge of grand
larceny.
Grimes rooms at 1913 Kansas avenue
with a Mutual Ice driver named
Thompson. Grimes has been out of
work for some time but Thompson
continues to deliver ice. Yesterday
upon arising Thompson dis
covered that his money was gone and
reported the matter to Patrolman
England on that beat. England began
an investigation and questioned
Grimes about it but Grimes told many
stories of how he had suspected some
one fooling around there from the
noises at night. BY reaching in the
rear window from stairway he said
a thief might have secured the money
from Thompson's trousers but the Of
fcer discounted the suggestion be-
cause a man would have needed five
foot arm pole to do the trick.
No other evidence being found the
officer again accosted Grimes this
morning and after sweating him
long time, succeeded in getting an ad-
mission from Grimes that he had
taken the money intending to give it
back at a later date. Search of the
room revealed the money in an old
pocketbook under the carpet from
where it is supposed Grimes would
later draw it and skidoo. Trial is set
for $50.
Owners of pitchforks, carpenter
tools, harness or bird cages may air
their barns, tool houses and attics to-
day if the weather permits for
Charley Baker is under lock and key.
If he is not sent to the pen then you
will be warned to get your valuables
under key again. For years Charley
has stolen -anything-pitch-
forks. garden radkes and tools from
chests left in barns by idle or out of
town workmen. 1t makes no differ
ence to Charley so long as he is steal
ing something for that is his mania.
II l. ntIf of
in the city jrison but about fort
nightly he gets his fine worked out and
the fresh air revives his habit with the
result that he is locked up again,