The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-01
1T STIRS UP A ROW
Discharge of City Detective
Brings Up Fresh Charges.
CHIEF Accused of Protecting
Bootleggers In Topeka.
"PREYING ON The MExICANS"
Hannah Says Alba Has Made
Financial Gain.
Detective Raided Joint Without
Chiefs knowledge.
''PREYIN6 ON THE MEXICANS"

AuSOStln Alba, Mexican detective,
has been discharged from the Topeka
police force, il was announced this
morning by Chief of Police George G.
Hannah.
Trouble that has been brewing be-
tween the chief and the detective for
some time came to a head Friday aft
ernoon when Alba raided the house
at 52S Sardou avenue. Selling thirty
seven bottles of beer, two kegs of
beer, one quart of alcohol. two quarts
OF whisky and one keg, the contents
OF which were unknown, and arrested
Joe Mowery, according to Alba.
Alba this morning charged that the
record made by Chief Hannah during
his administration has not been clean,
and that he has protected certain
bootIeggers in the city. Hannah re-
piled to the charge with the assertion
that Alba has been preying on the ig-
norance of the Mexican population of
Topeka for financial gain and that he
has a long list of charges which he
can prove on the detective.
Started ty u Raid.
The trouble Friday started after
Alba returned from the raid. He said
Chief Hannah demanded of him, with
an oath, why he had not been notified
that the raid was to be made. Alba
said he told the chief that he was not
in at the time and that he did not
consider it necessary to chase all
over town" trying to find him. He
said the chief asked him IF he did
not know the difference between Bevo
and whisky The keg with the I'M
known contents, was returned to the
raided house, Alba said.
Alba declares that he received in
formation that there was whisky IN
the house and that about 4 O'Clock
Friday afternoon he went to Lieut..
Frank Summers and told him that ne
was going to raid the place. He SAID
Summers told him to take two or the
men at the station and pick up one
man from his beat to accompany
him. The house was raided and the
booze brought to the police station A
short time later, Alba said. Hannah
approached him with criticisms 1or
bringing "near-beer" to the STATION
and for not notifying him that ne ln 4
tended to make the raid. Alba sa1o
The chief then ordered him from the
station. -,,
Campaign Promises"
Alba. said that when he started on
the raid he expected to find 'Mooch
lJaEan, who he claims is one OF the
most notorious bootleggers in Topeka.
He asserts that while Dagan was ar
rested numerous times in past year, he
has not once been arrested by the
present administration. Alba charged
this morning that during the campaign
of Fl. j. Corwine for mayor promises
were made to gamblers, bootleggers
and street walkers" that Alba would
be fired when the new administration
came in. Alba asserted that Chief
Hannah had watched constantly for
an opportunity to fire him ever since
he took office.
Chief Hannah asserted this morning
that even had the argument not oc-
CURED Friday night. Alba would have
been discharged in the near future.
He asserted that the detective had
been working on the ignorance or the
Mexicans for gain, and that he had
long list of complaints of this nature
that he could prove. He, said he
could not longer keep a man of this
character in his employ.
'As for watching for chances to
discharge him." said Hannah, Il have
found plenty of thenl-plenty of rea-
sons. With the exception of Alba, the
knows it. 1t has made him Jealous.
He has been looking for trouble ever
since this administration came in.
don't care what people think. 1 am
not going to have him in my employ.
The people on the east side, especially.
are wise to what he has been doing.
Charges Against Alba.
Hannah said one of Alba's customs
had been to accept money from Mex
leans for planning Opponents with
young girls. and that frequently he
thereafter arrested them to add luster
to his record as a detective.
There are many couples in Topeka
whom he is keeping apart right now,
the chief asserted. He has them
scared to death"
"As a matter of fact" Alba asserted
today, "I have been going after these
bootleggers strong. the chler Knows
it and that is why he has got it in for
me"
Alba asserted today that some time
ago a raid was made on the house at
S25 North Madison street and some
LIQUOR seized. One or two bottles were
taken, lie said. with the intention of
analysing it, but declares the analysis
was never made. Chief Hannah as
serted today that it had been made
and that the liquor was found with
out a kick"