The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-28
Two Will Be Appointed on
Topeka Force.
WOman's Advisory Board Re-
quests 1t.
and THE COMMISSION AGREED
Chief Hughes Hanging ON
Ropes but Game.
City Hall News of General
Interest.

Women met in conjunction with the
city commission this morning. Mrs.
Lila Day Monroe, Mrs. ]. d. Nc
Farland, Mrs. Emma Sells Marshall
and Mrs. Lillian Mitchner. appointed
as a special advisory board by the
mayor on Thursday, sat in the com
mission chamber today, and approved
the appointment of two women on
the Topeka police force. So be it,
The mayor and the commissioners
agreed. The women will be named by
the advisory board, examined by the
civil service, appointed by the COM
mission.
The meeting this morning lasted
two hours. Three appointments were
made. The first public disagreement
between the commissioners took place.
Motion was passed to move the North
Topeka tuberculosis camp within 80
days. A communication from Albert
Patten, was read by City Attorney
Ralston.
Police women" heretofore a
myth in Topeka, will become a reality
in, let us say, a month. A special civ
il service examination will be ar
ranged for them. Applicants will be
considered by the board in less than
a week.
The feminine policemen will be dis
tnguished from others of their sex
simply by star. They will not wear
uniform. Mrs Monroe, who has in
vestigated the question from every
standpoint opines that a weapon will
be unnecessary. One of the commits
sion suggested, soto voce, that hat
pins be used in lieu of clubs.
The idea of policewomen originated
in the west. 1t has been tried sue
cesSful1y in Washington and Oregon
Kansas is the most eastern state to
adopt the plan. And Topeka by the
way, is the one city to have a wo-
mans advisory board that meets with
the city commission.
1--WE want the police women TO be
the flower of Kansas" declared Mrs
Monroe, in explaining her plan, this
has been our dream for months It
complies with the reconstruction of the
Topeka police force. The women should
be between thirty and forty-five years
of age. We are here to ask your ap-
proval of their appointment"
Mrs Mitchner, who recently attended
a convention of police women in Port
land, Ore, also spoke in favor of the
that Topeka needs police women;
women willing to make it their life
work; women mentally, morally and
physically strong"
What action shall we take?' de-
manded the mayor
mo action is necessary" returned
Mr.. Ralston, the applicants will be
named, examined and appointed like
ordinary policemen"
The announcement that two women
would be under his immediate juris-
diction came a surprise to Chief of
Police Hughes.
"They can be utilized, certainly they
can be utilized" he admitted, in a
rather bewildered way "They mustn't
be too old, you know, nor too young,
nor too pretty. They must pass a
as well as a civil service ex-
animation. Examined like ordinary
Don't see how it's possible.
A new set of standards is in order"
The mayor presented the name of
James W. Clark for assistant city at
torney and stenographer, Commission
er Tandy presented the name of A r.
Young for city engineer, Commission
er Bone presented the name of Geo.
T. Mattingly for city license collector.
The names were unanimously ap-
proved and the appointments made.
The first public disagreement
among the new commissioners will be
recorded on the city books today.