The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-03
SAYS ENFORCED IT.
Billiard Says Law Never So Well En-
forced as by Him:


under the heading, The City Elec-
tion,'' in speaking of Mr.. j. E. House
you say: ITO be sure he has an
nounced that he will enforce the pro-
hibitory law and do all he can along
that line. So did Mr. Billiard, but Mr.
Billiard did not enforce it and his ap-
pointees were in connivance with the
breweries and liquor sellers
Permit me to state that there is
not a word of truth. in the statement
that 1 did not enforce that law, and
whoever makes that statement is a
liar.
Before 1 was elected 1 promised 1
would enforce the prohibitory law and
kept that promise faithfully l en-
forced that law as well, If not better,
than it had been done before or has
since, and did so with less expense to
the taxpayers of the city and county
than it has ever been done.
My appointees were not in con-
nivance with the breweries and liquor
sellers No man who knows them
will challenge the honesty, integrity
and faithfulness in the discharge of
their official duties of my chief of
police and police judge.
Topeka, Kan, March 81, 1915.
Let US see about this.
This communication has been de-
layed a day or two for the reason that
this paper desired to go into the rec
ord and give names.
Ignoring the use of the short and
ugly word, it may be stated that
Mayor Billiard did not and could not
undertake to fairly enforce the pro-
hibitory law, because he surrounded
himself with men whose duty it was
to apprehend violators, had been vio-
latorS themselves, did not enforce
the law and connived with the liquor
sellers as stated above.
For instance: Otto Anderson, one
of his plain clothes, confidential men,
had not only been a convicted jointist,
but was actually furnishing bonds for
jointists who might be arrested by his
own associates on the police force.
Policeman Wilt, on Mr.. Billiards.
force, was an eX-jointist, ran saloon
at PaXico, and when a deputy sheriff
raided a joint, he found Policeman
Wilt with his insignia of office, his star
and club, in the joint. This was re-
ported to Chief of Police Jenkins who
threatened to discharge Wilt but did
not do so.
Sergeant Garden, of Mr.. Billiards.
force, was intoxicated in the station
when he was summoned to apprehend
some law violators.
From three to five of Mr.. Billiards.
policemen were found in raided joints
drinking themselves.
Mayor Billiard was supplied with a
list of names of men who held retail
liquor permits. many of whom were
well known jointists and operated
places which should have been raided
and put out of business. Mr.. Billiard,
in d statement at the time in the State
Journal said: 1.-The list of names of
are called s1IDdeSira hle citizens
who really are good honest druggists
in this city. 1t it an injustice to many
good citizens in Topeka
Now, let US see who were on this
list
J., otherwise "Jupe' Jordan, no
torious jointist and ban man, sine
run out of town.
F. NJ. Adams, otherwise the notori
Gus Bee" Adams, who since Mr.. Bill
lard's administration has gone to the
penitentiary.
William, otherwise "Bill'' Briggs, of
notoriety, convicted of liquor selling,
sent to the penitentiary.
Porter Patterson, disreputable |
liquor seller, in the county /
Jail now.
c. Jordan, has served several terms
n Jail.
Robert Bryant, otherwise known as
Forty Bryant. jointist, sent to peni-
.entiary for murder.
D. w. Sadler, jointist, been run out
IF town.
Frank Lawson, another unsavory /
convicted and sent to Jail.
The list might be extended. How
ever Mr.. Billiard may have thought I
ne tried to enforce the law he did not I
enforce it and his policemen did con-
hive with violators, were found drink I
ng in joints.
The present officers of the law
found a field which Mayor Billiard
had more or less neglected, but which /
oh i,o