The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-23
Commissioner Suggests Issuing
Franchise to Auto Carriers.
Drivers Attorney VIII Investi-
gate Legality of Scheme.
MAYOR HOUSE IS STILL MAD
Resents Stories He Is Con-
trolled by Railway Company.
Declares Belief Ordinance Is for
Best Interests of People.

A new possible angle to the jitney
question was sprung late THURSDAY
afternoon, when Commissioner New
land suggested an Incorporation of
iitneys and the granting of fran
chisse to them, if such action legally
can be taken That the legality of the
scheme proposed by Newland may De
investigated at once was indicated py
Harry Green, attorney for the Jitney
drivers.
The suggestion of incorporation
came near the close of an informal
conference in the commission cham
Der between representatives OF the
jitney union and the city commission,
held for the purpose OF ironing OUT
differences over the revised jitney or
dinance before it is published. 1t be-
came evident shortly after the confer
ence opened that the two factions
would be unable to get together
A distinctly dramatic climax was
reached Immediately after brief talk
by Attorney Green, when Mayor
House, visibly agitated over alleged
insinuations that he was in colluslon
with the railway company and that ne
would be GOT if the ordinance Is
published, declared that he would re-
fuse to change his position.
"I may be wrong. but 1 believe I'm
right" declared the mayor Il be-
lieve this ordinance is for the best in
terests of the public. II 1t isn't
referendum will repeal it. But l am
not going to be frightened out. You
can go out of here and spread the
story that I have been bought or that
YOU will get me, but I want to tel
you, gentlemen, 1 am not nearly SO
much interested in my job as mayor
as am in the psychological point in
volved."
Half a dozen jitney men were on
their feet at once to deny that the1r
| no
honesty of the mayors stand. Threats
that the mayor would ''be got if they
have ever been made; did not come
from the jitney camp, they declared.
Following the mayors statement, il
became apparent that the commission
4 would decline to back down in its
stand on the revised ordinance passed
May % but not yet published.
When it was intimated that failure
of the jitneys to demonstrate that they
could esta a reliable service wa.
responsible in a large measure for the
hastily began to recall instances wher
members of the commission had beer
passengers in jitney buses.
Jess White. one of the drivers, sup
Piled the choicest bit of comedy. Leav
ing the chamber to go to the baseball
park, Mayor House received an invi
tation from White to make the trip il
| Whites jftney. The mayor smilingl,
declined but White insisted and fol
lowed the mayor to the street, wher,
he escorted him to the jitney Fiji
teen minutes later White returned t,
| the city hall. exhibiting half dolla
received from the mayor for the trip
Jitney drivers who attended the con
ference Thursday included K. S. Nc
Grew, C. B. Vogt, J. L. Shaw, ]. H
Jones, c. H. Smith, F. D. Elbs, J. L
White, A c. Robertson, J. C. Hum
q De A
Haskins and Clarence Grimes. The,
were accom- panied by their attorney
Harry Green, and Frank Brown, or
ganizer for the Industrial council.