The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-10
Union Labor and Street Car
Co. Controversy the Cause.
Even Tempered Mr.. Billiard at
Last Aroused.
ORGANIZER DAYS CHARGES
The Mayor Denied That Police
Had Taken Sides.
The Constant Bickering Must
Cease on Both Sides.

| The lingering trouble between the
Topeka Railway company and the Ia
Dor union agitators was given a slash
ing rebuke by Mayor Billiard today
when he warned Ezra Day, organizer
from Kansas City. that the city OF
Topeka was growing weary of the con-
stant conflict and series of complaints
that have followed in the wake of the
railway union controversy. The mayor
informed Albert NJ. Patten, general
superintendent of the Topeka Railway
company, of the sentiment expressed
to Day. It is predicted at the city
hall that unless the trouble ceases the
police will be asked to take charge Of
all further disturbances.
The trouble originated with detectives
employed by the street car company
and union agitators who have been at
tempting to unionize the employees of
the railway. The detectives have been
shadowing the union men. The union
men have applied to the police for help.
One thing has followed another until
the mayors office has become a re-
ceptacle for complaints and appeals for
assistance.
Day Wants Police Protection.
The climax occurred today when Ezra
peared before Mayor Billiard and asked
that he be given police protection in
his work. In reciting his list of COM
plants, Day hinted to the mayor that
the police had been given orders not
to protect the union men and to offer
every assistance to the railway en-
ployees.
The mayor listened with respect and
interest to Day until he limited that the
police had entered into the fight. Then
he Strengthened up in his chair and for
the first time since he has held the
office of mayor his face flushed with
anger.
The Mayor Got Mad.
''You have gone far enough" he
tfundered at Day. ST want you to un-
derstand that the police of the city of
Topeka never have = been given in
structions to favor anyone in this street
car trouble They never have felt that
it was their duty to give assistance to
the street car men. 1 don't like your
insinuations that our officers are not
doing their duty
Then Day explained: can officer nam
ed Sanders told me that he would like
to help US all he could but he was in
the same position as the car men
he might lose his job If he tried to
favor the unions. He told me one thing
ness stand he told another story. It
looks to me as though
There is mistake somewhere -
interfered the mayor. ct know that an
officer in the Topeka department would
not lie. I know that he told the truth
on the witness stand. Chief Jenkins has
NOT given them orders to help the street
car company fight the unions. That is
a silly staten ent."
Then you call me a 1iar?'' f1ared Day.
mo, I do not call you a liar" an
swered the mayor. But do know that
you are badly mistaken"
Then the mayor admonished Day to be
careful in his dealings with the street car
company and in his efforts to cause trnu-
BILE and -dissension among the street car
employees. He said that he had given
Superintendent Patten to understand that
there must be a stop to this constant uli-
rest between the employees and the union
organizers.
Police VIII Not Take Sides.
The mayor would promise no personal
police protection for Day only on COM
plant that he was in trouble. He said
the police always were willing to protect
citizen but he did not care to detail any
members of the force to enter the union
fight in Topeka.
'If you are molested, why don't you
swear out a complaint" asked the mayor
Day said that he had been unable to
procure one. The mayor then told him
that the police judge or the city attorney
would be willing at any time to issue a
complaint If the reasons demanded it.
Day left the mayors office In anger.