The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-17
Many Prominent Kansans At
tend Press Club Show.
GubernatOriaI Candidates Were
Victims of News Chasers.
"GUT OUT" PICTURES SHOWN
Play Was More Kansas Politics
Than Shakespeare.
Biggest Crowd Ever Assembled
for Press Club Event.

Nearly 400 prominent Kansans who
play or keep III close touch with the
political game. were at abe counters
for the second annual frying pan
show by the Topeka Press club.
Gube1natorial candidates and posi-
bilities were victims of the news men
in their burlesque of Hamlet which
in reality was tar. more kansas poll
tics than Shakespeare.
Press club members tempered their
frying with customary kindness and
mercy. After the news chasers had
spent al hour lahbing az the weak
nesses and sins and secrets of those
who may seek high place next year,
the crop of prOEpectiVes. was given
chance to speak, For a time it looked
as tho the Press clab wouldn't be in
high standing with any administration
that might be III control of affairs at
the state house. W. Y. (Billy) Nor
gan, tho, held out Il ray Of hope when
he offered to commission Press club
members as notary publics if they
would only line up
Many Candidates Here.
The show brought the biggest Of
fering Of prospective candidates to
Topeka that has gathered since the
legislature went home. Governor
Allen was given a seat close to the
stage. Near hiru were the varied and
sundry possibilities who may seek to
fill his shoes in January, 1928. These
prospectives included w. Z. Lambert
son of Fairv!ew, w. Y. Morgan of
Hutchinson, Thad c. Carver of Pratt,
Senator Alfred Docking of Manhat-
tan. r. a. McNeal and L.. T. Hussey
of Topeka, J. I. Brady Of Salina. Lieut..
GOV. c. S. Huffman of COLUMBUS, and
H. H. MOtter Of Olathe.
All were given a place on the Press
club gridiron. The grave diggers pro-
duced skeletons Of dead and near dead
and there was q Hamlet on the pro-
gram For every possible candidate
listed as we'll as Clyde NJ. Reed, r. j.
Hopkins. Emerson Carey and Senator
Dick" Howacd, who were unable to
attend the show.
Governor Has New Ideas.
Governor allen assured the crowd
he had gathered some new ideas re-
garding state management that might
be applied effectively in the future.
Tom McNeal cUnfided to the club
members, that he hadn't expected
much for his 81, so and was prepared
to rec i've any shock that came. W.
j. LGmbertsou wanted it to be known
that he wouldn't ask for his money
back. but that SO far as he was con-
cerned the Topeka newspaper gang
would receive no more cash from him
during the campa gn. j. l.. Brady
gave over most of his speech to a
boost for J. .. Mohler, secretary of
the state board of agriculture who
had appeared on the show program as
"Bamlet' Brady. Billy Morgan not
only promised Press club members
commissions as notary publics, hut
said almost everyone in The audience
had privately promised to support
him. Lieut.. Coy. Huffman went on
record in favor Of a closed order for
the prOteotiCp OF candidates for of
flee. Senator Docking said the Press
club itself WIS filled with candidates
for the gOvernorship. L. Y. Hussey
deelined to rome to tlt0 stage, but
made assurances he had received his
moneys worth.
Show "Cnt Out Pictures.
Following the dinner and regular
Press club show dwight Thacher Har-
ris displayed a couple of reels of cut
outs which he brought to Topeka
from offices of the state censor board
The shcw drew the biggest crowd
that has attended a Press club show
since formation of the newspaper
mems org3nizJtiou- It was the second
annual g!idiron stunt by the club
members. a yeac ago the club bur
lesqued Industrial court activities. This
year it was the approaching governor
ship contest in L-e Republican pri-
maries
Much of the real work Of preparing
for the show was handled by Oscar
Swayze and Cecil Howes who were d.
rectors of properties and stage man
agemclt