The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-02
POLICE COURT news.

The prisoners at the city jail went on
a strike this morning against the food
given to them for breakfast. They re-
fused to eat the food and were not
forced to go to work on the rock pile.
Az soon as breakfast was given to
the men. they began to complain. Jo-
siah Ross, chief OF police. was called
are 40 prisoners. in the Jail and the
breakfast consisted of a cup Of alleged
coffee, a small dab of dry. sour pota-
toes, three pieces of bread and a hard
boiled egg. The coffee was used up
for the food. was called and told to
take the breakfasts away and bring new
ones. Up to noon today, he had not
returned with the breakfasts nor taken
away the old ones. which were stacked
up in the hall.
The city pays only IL cents a meal
for the prisoners, but on close figuring
the actual cost Of the food contained
in the breakfast this morning was said
to be about 3 cents. The prisoners
claim that the morning meals have
been Of that variety for weeks and that
It is hard for them to 60 on the rock
pile after eating such a meager break
fast. Mr.. Nelson cannot furnish good
meals for IL cents, but the police be-
lieve that he can expend few pennies
more and still make a legitimate prOfj-.
Statistics show that Topeka pays the
lowest price for meals to the prison.
ers of any city in the country. Most
Of the Jail prisoners get Is cent. 20 cent
and even Is cent meals. II the city
would pay another nickel for the meals.
there would be no more trouble from
the bastile.
John Smith was fined SO in police
court this morning for being drunk.
Three boys were fined g apiece in
police court this morning for disturb
ing the peace. They were Willie Ora
cha, Albert Owen and Reuben Crown.
They were arrested by Probation OIL
Ger Rooney.
L. F. Clearinghouse was arrested this
morning by Special OFFICER c. B. Arthur
limit
There are really some fine musi-
clans in the city Jail Last night the
| strains of guitar music noated out OF
the police station and attracted the
| them a reporter. A negro was in the
bull pen" singing old southern melo-
dies and was assisted in the chorus by
many of the other prisoners. The men
in Jail enjoy singing these songs and
occasionally a popular ragtime piece
| was neAT0. Ine1f L0SIo8 run IN tnao
direction, but when it comes to sing
ing hymns, they do not turn out we'll
The first service held for them in
court three weeks ago was we'll at
tended. Out of "a prisoners last Sun
day, only five came to the afternoon
service. They are not strong fol-
hymns. these prisoners, but they do
enjoy to MARBLE away on old ballads.
Several prisoners worked Wednesday
afternoon at the city dumping ground
First and Topeka avenue, and It is ex-
pected that the plan will be adopted by
work in streets and parks. 1t II even
rumored that labor from the city pris-
ON could be used in erecting . new and
suitable jail.
You couldn't make me eat tina,
breakfast" was the opinion mutually
rendered by o. X. SwayBe, county
clerk; r. L. Tasker. register Of deeds
and Colonel II. C. Lindsay, who were
Il called into the city Jail this morning tt
inspect the meal.
Frank Dreaming. former city attor'
ney. 10 planning to have a library In
stalled for the benefit Of city Jail pFis
oners- This week he brought severa
good novels for the prisoners and plan,
to have q book case brought to the jai
go that the prisoners can read II the.
desire. 1t was expected at first tina,
umes to roll cigarettes. but that feal
has been allayed. Tho Bible classes q,
the First Methodist church are workinf
III havH fnvp fI1a rlvaI4Fk ~ fA -