The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-18
DEMAND CLEANUP
LeavenwOrth Citizens Believe
U. S. Prejudiced Against City.
Won't Send Troops There Be-
cause of Drydale Canker.

Leavenworth's alleged unlawful
coalition with Missouri liquor inter
ests, right across the Missouri river
at Drydale, lately named Kirmeyer,
has at last struck the historic Kansas
city in a vital spot, her pocketbook.
And as a result the most determined
effort in the history of the city is be-
ing made by the business men to clean
up Leavenworth.
When the Mexican trouble arose a
few years ago, Leavenworth was hit
right in the solar-plexus by the calling
away of nearly all troops stationed at
Fort Leavenworth. From then until
a few months months ago one con-
slant howl has been heard by Con-
gresham D. R. Anthony, jr.. to bring
back the troops.
Finally the present crisis arose and
word was received that Fort Leaven-
worth would be one of the important
training camps for the new army. But
recently it became known that the
government was holding back from
choosing Leavenworth as a concentra-
ton camp for no other reason than the
proximity of the saloons at Drydale
or Kirmeyer.
Mayor Davis is reported to have
conducted numerous raids. State Of
ficers say Davis has an opportunity to
make an unprecedented record for
himself by cleaning up Leavenworth
|
Leavenworth's business men behind
him.
Cleanup Demanded.
This rumor, while never officially
verified, apparently is authentic from
the number of mass meetings called by
business men in an endeavOr to i'm
press on a new city administration
their demand for a clean city. For
years it seemed to he the consensus of
army town, because she catered so
well to the low passions of men. In
those days, Leavenworth entertained
the regular soldiers. But now the
government is faced with training
youths from the farm, from the Of
fees and stores, youths whose parents
demand that their environment be the
best Uncle Sam can provide and Uncle
Sam is rumored not to think much
Of Leavenworth's reputation, whatever
her character may be.
Leaverworth's mayor is James c..
Davis. an undertaken and a man who
captioned himself Big Hearted Jim"
in his political advertisements. His
candidacy was backed by the Anthony
interests and it was currently sup
posed that the attorney generals Of
flee in Topeka favored his election.
believing some relief might be OBJ
tanned with new broom. But police
appointments made by Davis have dis
appointed the state officers and the
direct blow at Leavenworth's pocket
book by the government has caused an
upheaval and a desire of all. except
ing the jointkeepers to tread the
straight and narrow path as they new
er tread it before.
The attitude of mothers and fathers
of soldier boys toward the environ
ment they are demanding for their
sons and which the government must
heed if it desires men in its armies,
is shown in resolutions adopted in
Topeka by the ladies of the Grand
Army of the Republic, No. 1 at Lin
coin Post hall. The resolutions de-
mand that the government take steps
to clean the vicinity of concentration
camps from social evils including
prostitutes, gamblers and saloons.
Copies of these resolutions have been
sent by Mrs. Grace Ash, secretary, to
President Wilson and Secretary of
War Baker. Hundreds of like resolu-
lions have been received from all parts
of the country by war department Off
Gals.