The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-06

L. A Kanode and A Lutteken, Nom
partisan League representatives. Both
kanode and Lutteken commended the
action of the labor men in getting into
city. politics, and denied that their orr
ganization in the Dakotas, branded as
unloyal, was unpatriotic.
The addresses of both Nonpartisan (
Leaguers were applauded. Luttekena
said the Kansas Nonpartisan League
would dominate the 1920 election.
j. o. Steyic Presided.
J.O. Stevic. president of the Topeka
Industrial Council and organizer for
the Nonpartisan League, presided at
the meeting After the two addresses
he called, for the discussion of things
polite.
c. H. Trap, a West Eighth street
printer. was among the first on his
feet. Trap declared the present ar
rangement of city government inef-
ficient. He declared that the present
water commissioner was a grocery
man, with no knowledge of the highly
technical water ;.~lnt and system of
which he has charge. He declared
that r. NJ. Newland, the commissioner
referred to, took no direct hand IN the
guidance of the plant. and declared
him unnecessary in the presence of
man who was experienced and trained
in the work. The commissioner of
finance, w. H. WATSON. was referred
ing. sat with his feet on the desk while
an auditor did all the work in the de-
partment.
Following his charges, Trap intro
duced resolution to place union labor
in favor of cutting the number or
commissioners from five to three. the
resolution also urged that city salaries
be made to correspond with the IN
creased cost of living. He said he
offered the resolutions merely for dis
cussion as thing which the unions
might do well to take up.
Might Create big Three"
Discussion WIS not lacking. Dur
ing the consideration of the resolution
which followed it was also pointed
out that the head of the police de-
partment, the mayor, is a newspaper
man and that Commissioners W. L.
Porter, of parks and public improve
ments, is a plumber. One speaker
pointed out that the resolution would
apparently eliminate WATSON and
Newland, the speaker saying that the
two were the fairest of any OF the
city hall commissioners toward or
ganized labor. The fact that it would
create big three was also pointed
out 1--WE already have big three in
the city hail. it was asserted.
The manager form CT government
was mentioned as substitution of
Traps resolution. 1t was then
pointed out that a one-man power
might be dangerous, but this argu-
ment was defeated with the assertion
that the proper manager form of
government would place the manager
ul.der three commissioners, and would
provide for efficiency in the differ
ent departments by a provision for
trained and experienced. men in direct
| charge of the departments.
The discussion was ended by vote
mia eiO he r.
alton until next Sunday. The matter
of ways and means in the coming
campaign was brought up by Trap.
who Mentioned, Incidentally, that the
fight might require some loose
change" Trap was invited to ex-
plain further.
'In every precinct" said Trap.
there are men who can swing the
majority votes. It takes money to get
these men to work. 1 have a list of
They work for about SIS day, and
the man that gets there first gener-'
ally gets their services"
Cost House $1,925?
Trap declared that it cost Mayor
Jay E. House about S1,925 to carry
one of his elections under this plan.
During one of his talks Trap men
toned the fact that he was a member
of the Chamber of Commerce and
of that organization. Immediately two
or three men present questioned the
proposition of taking any service from
the Chamber of Commerce, one de-
claring that the organization had run
/ the city long enough.
! The discussion ended with the crea-
ton of a ways and means committee
to make recommendations to the con-
vention of delegates feom the various
unions which is to meet and form a
labor platform and designate labor
d candidates. This convention, it was
asserted will meet in the near future.
! The convention plan was laid before
| several unions last week, it was as
serted at Sundays meeting, and gen.
orally agreed to.
Both Stevic and Trap, at the meet
| ing, took occasion to announce that
| they would not become candidates for
office at the coming election.