The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-26
POLICE JOTTINCS.
Chief Eaton Files His Report
for. the Year.
Summary of the Work Done by
the Department.
WANTS MORE ROOM.
Calls Attention to the Cramped
Condition of Mems Ward.
Would Have Department Placed
on Civil Service Basis.

the work of the police department
for the fiscal year ending March 81,
1903. covering 25 typewriter pages
was filed with the city clerk this
morning by Chief of Police R. W.
Eaton. The report bears the evil
dence of many laborious days spent in
an exact compilation of figures. fines,
arrests, and expenses with many COM
parsons and statistics showing the
advancement in the effectiveness of
the department.
Under the supervision of Chief
Eaton the police officers and the po-8
lice court have established a remark
able record which the submitted re-
port shows. Parts of the report fol-
low:
To the Honorable Mayor and mem
bers of the. city council of the city
of Topeka:
Gentlemen have the honor to
submit herewith my second annual
report of the police department for
the fiscal year ending March 81, 1903
The tabulated exhibits submitted
herewith show concisely the number
of arrests. convictions. fines col
lected, expense of the department
and other interesting data pertaining
thereto.
The total number of arrests for the
year were 1926 against 2,649 for the
previous year, an increase of 277.
The total amount of fines collected
were $12,153.05 against $S,6s9.45 for
the previous year, an increase OF
$3.453-60.
I respectfully recommends:
First-That all officers of the de-
partment be required to provide them
selves with revolvers of uniform
length and caliber. the new style OF
weapon to be adopted to be deter.
mined by the police committee OF
your honorable body.
Second-That the police committee
make an imm ediate investigation OF
the city prison with view OF remedy
| ing the cramped and unsanitary con-
ditions existing at present.
Third-That civil service exam
intion be given to all men who are IN
the future commissioned as officers;
| that they at least have a common
school education; that they pc
| thoroughly familiar with the business
and resident districts, location of bust
ness houses streets. ETC.. that tney
may be able to give first-hand m
| formation to citizens and strangers.
| Further that they be required TO pc
a certain height age and weight. =.
| In conclusion. I wish to express my
/ opinion that Topeka has ponce de-
partment to be proud of. l bei1eve IT'S
| the work of any department of any
thing like equal numbers, in the mid
die west and I am glad of the op-
| portunity to commend the members
of the department who have done
! efficient and loyal work and to thank
| them for the willingness with which
| they have labored.
1 wish to express my thanks to his
i Honor Mayor Green for his kindly
/ advice and assistance at all times and
| the members of the city council, for
| your never failing courtesy and aid
-reSnecffullv submitted,
| r. w. EATON. Chief of Police.
Appropriations for the police de-
1 partment for fiscal year ending March
s1st. 1909 amounted to s2s,5s6.5o; to-
i tai expenditures for the year were
$2S. 96604: balance to the credit OF
the department is s620.46.
/ The greatest number of arrests were
made for drunkenness totallng t26,
vagraney was next with 235. disorder
/ ly conduct with 215, investigation
| fourth with 10, found in disorderly
4 houses, 156 and in gambling houses,
90 There were Sc arrests for MAIN
/ tanning nuiSances-
/ OF the 1926 arrests made. LIS
1 were convicted in police court, $50 re-
| leased and the rest turned over to
| the state. juvenile court, etc.
| One of the most interesting exhibits
for students of crime is the classified
ton according to age and sex.
Outside of common laborers and
men. of no occupation house keepers
4 figure highest in the taken" roll with
i153; and farmers are second with 1856.
! Lodgers accommodated numbered
Sic and the meals furnished 552..
! The police matron. Mrs. Laura E.
1 Thorp reports 80 charges during the
year; 55 white incorrigible boys being
i the highest class and 80 colored street
walkers second.
/ Since April 1st. the department is
making a monthly record which indi-
/ Gates that the same thoroughness of
police diligence is being observed in
the prevention of crime as well as
punishment, and in the extinction of
liquor, gambling and disorderly
houses.