The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-20
DRIVE OUT THE HOBO.
Governor Stubs DEGREES He Must
Pass Kansas BY.

Pass Kansas By.
Governor Stubs has proclaimed
that the hobo must vacate his favor
tie travelling rod and his favorite cor
ner under the water tank and hie
of begging a handout and incidentally
cracking a safe or breaking window
of home. The governor, as the
chief executive officer of the state has
joined with the secret service depart
ment of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe railroad to drive the poor old,
ragged, dirty, hobo out of Kansas,
because among the numerous tramps
that are in the state today 1t has
been found that there are many
thieves and robbers among them and
these criminals are able to enter
town on night trains, rob a postoffice,
two or three stores, a house or two,
maybe a bank and get away on early
morning trains without much chance
of detection.
H. H. German, chief special officer
of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
complained to ]. n. Dolley, state bank
commissioner, that the county attor-
neys were not enforcing the law pro-
hibiting the stealing of rides on trains.
In discussing the matter in letter
to the bank commissioner, Mr.. Ger
main said:
My Dear :. Dolley: Referring 70
recent conversation with my Mr..
Wood and McGrath relative to the
hobo element who are constantly
traversing the state of Kansas by
means of beating their way on rail-
roads, contrary to law as per section
3SS9-90-91, chapter 81, general stat
utes of Kansas, 1909.
certain per cent of the element
above mentioned are criminals and it
is a common practice for the safe
h -&1-cs w aoIlod tn
use this means of covering their iden-
tity; thereby getting to the scene of
crime unobServed, which makes it
very difficult to secure any witnesses
who can identify them.
We have very large staff of Off
GERS scattered over the state of Kan
sas in addition to my special agents
and train riders who are constantly
travelling. but it has been practically
useless heretofore to arrest parties
above mentioned by reason of the
county attorneys not being willing to
prosecute, stating that it was an un-
necessary expense on the county.
1t is my opinion that If a vigorous
campaign was instituted by all Off
GERS concerning the hobo and GRIM
inaI element that in a very short time
the number who are visiting our state
would be materially reduced as well
as lessen the siege of crime that this
state has been subjected to. AS you
are we'll aware the newspapers have
advertised the numerous banks, post
offices, etc, that have been robbed
recently and it is not a favorable ad-
Vertisement to our fair state.
If entirely consistent with your
views if some influence can be brought
to bear upon the county attorneys
and officers within the state for the
purpose of cooperating in arresting
the above mentioned element, 1 be-
lieve it will have the desired effect.
will be pleased to have you advise
what action, if any, is taken in order
that I may instruct my department to
cooperate with all concerned.
H. H. GERMAN.
Mr.. Dolley took up the matter with
Governor Stubs and the governor is
sued a proclamation last night. direct
ed to two thousand district court
judges, county attorneys, sherfffs,
mayors, city marshals and other peace
officers. The letter follows:
To Judges of Courts. County Attor-
neys. Sheriffs, Mayors and Marshals
of Cities and All Peace Officers of
the State:
I have before me communication
from Bank Commissioner Dolley trans
hitting a letter from the special serv-
ice department of the A T. & S. F..
railway, which calls attention to the
fact that the criminal classes of other
states are fiocking into Kansas to rob
and plumber our citizens.
Thieves, thugs, yeggmen and crimi
nails travel from state to state and
prey upon communities where pros
perity abounds. Kansas has been I'M
usually prosperous in recent years,
and consequently has been overrun by
bank robbers, postoffice thieves and
lhighwaymen. These criminals usually
travel in the guise of tramps or no
boes, often times carry dynamite and
deadly weapons and are a menace to
human life and property and the
peace and safety of the state.
It is the absolute duty of judges of
courts. mayors of cities. county and
city attorneys, sheriffs, city marshals,
police officers and constables to make
war of determination on these law
less characters. This situation demands
the prompt arrest, vigorous prosecu-
ton and most severe penalties which
are possible under the law to rid the
state of these transient criminals.
Bank Commissioner Dolley has been
making an energetic fight to protect
the banks of the state during the last
year. The Anti-Horse Thief association
has rendered valuable service in this
fight. Within the last few days l have
had full assurance that the secret SER
vice departm of the large railroad
systems in Kansas would join with the
state in waging a ceaseless war on all
lawless and criminal characters.
1 therefore urge every person in
Kansas charged with the enforcement
of law to cooperate with the Anti
Horse Thief association, the secret
service men of the railroads and every
other organization that is interested in
driving criminals from our state.
Respectfully submitted,
W. r. STUBS, Governor.