The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-25
Meeting Held to Start Billiard
Recall Movement.
r. w. Eaton, Ex-Chief Of Police.
Takes Leading Part.
EFFORT AT SECRECY.
Newspaper Reporters Are Ex-
cIuded From Room.
Indignation Meeting Called for
Friday Night.

A public indignation meeting,
brought on by the recent interview
with Mayor Billiard regarding the eff
and Kansas. has been called for Fri
day night at the Auditorium This
meeting is for the purpose of giving
Topeka citizens a chance to make
known the real sentiment in this city
on the effects and the enforcement of
the liquor laws. The meeting is also
called for the purpose of protesting
against the statements made by Mayor
Billiard and possibly to launch a move
ment for a recall of this official.
The meeting was decidedly quiet
everyone was asked to keep the pro-
ceedings secret unless certain actions
were desired to be made public. No
newspaper reporters were allowed-to
say nothing of newspaper editors. It
was the intention of the men present
to make the proceedings secret
many of those who had planned to
attend sneaked from the building
when newspapermen appeared.
Organization Is Formed.
But it is known that compact or
ganization was made. The preliminary
action of the new organization, it is
said, will be for the recall of Mayor
Billiard. The men seem to think that
possibly petition for recall would not
be practical at this time-the next
city election comes in the spring and
it is thought that that will be the
time for a campaign against the
mayor.
The main action at this time is for
the purpose of showing the people of
Missouri that the statements made by
Mayor Billiard to the effect that pro-
hibition il a farce and failure in
Kansas, are not the sentiments of the
people of Topeka and Kansas pc
tition for recall would serve this pur-
pose, they say.
TT is a disgrace to this city and
this state to have such a sentiment is
sue from the capital city said w. J..
Rickenbacher this afternoon. "It is
see that the outside states do not get
this impression from the ideas Of the
mayor"
The leaders in the movement just
launched seem to be w. ]. Rfcken-
bacher, and R. w. Eaton, ex-chtef of
police. Other men who attended the
meeting today were Rev. Q. H. White,
B. W. Carter, Radcliffe Lee, E. F..
Stanley, e. w. Rankin. Topsy Wilson,
DR.. F. L. Loveland, DR.. E. w. Petit
john, H. Ward Page, D. II. Branna-
man. H. B. Howard, L l. Adams. w.
j. ItlChenDdCI16E vas 0lSClSQ P1SSAd64Its
Billiard Not Worried.
Mayor Billiard is not worried over
the prospects of recall by the people
OF the city.
'I don't take seriously the matter
of recall said the mayor this after
noon. "I don't think that the people
of the city would oust me from office
Just because I expressed my honest
opinion of the prohibition question
and because I told the truth about
conditions in this city and Kansas.
"Since being in the office of mayor
I have been doing my best to serve
the citizens and the interests of the
| people. 1 have done everything in my
power to enforce the laws.
| However, if the people should see
fit to recall me I will thank them for
relieving me of the responsibility and
hope they will find someone who will
serve the city better than L have.
at have lived in Shawnee county
| for more than 50 years before I was
| elected mayor and I can continue to
live here the rest of my life without
the office of mayor"