The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-05
Bulk of Testimony Is Repeti-
ton of Earlier Cases.
First Witness Called Is County
Attorney Tinkham Veale.
HUGE CROWD IN COURT ROOM
Fifty State Witnesses Excluded
When Trial Begins.
C. b. Griffith Says He VIII
Show Many Irregularities.


The bulk of the testimony intro
duced by the state at the hearing OF
the custer suit against Mayor H. ].
Corwine this morning was practically
a repetition of that produced at the
commission hearing resulting in the
suspension of Chief G. G. Hannah,
Police Judge Hugh Mcfarland and
Detective Augustin Alba two years
ago. 1t was given by Joseph G. Sny-
der, a former police patrolman.
One of the biggest crowds seen in
either of the district court rooms in
years packed the second division to-
day to hear the trial. Scores of per-
could find room. The fifty or more
with esses called for the state were
excluded, at the request of the de-
fense. Progress this morning was
slow, but it is predicted that the con-
duct of the case will run smoother as
1t continues.
VeaIe Is First Witness.
The first witness called by the state
was Tinkham Veale, county attorney,
who testified that few, If any reports
of violations of the liquor laws in To-
peka had been reported to him by
either the mayor or the police. Mrs
John Griley. S2S Quincy street, testI-
fled concerning the operation of an
was sold, two doors from her.
G. B. Griffith, assistant attorney
general, conducted all the examina-
tions of witnesses on behalf of the
state this morning. In his opening
statement he told the court that the
state would show the police court as
1t was operated just prior to the in
vestigation. to be "one of the most
corrupt, villainous' police court sys-
TENS anywhere in the United States"
Most of the testimony IN the hearing,
ne said, will pertain to law enforce
ment during the mayors last term.
He said he would show that certain
alleged disorderly houses had been
reported to the mayor, and that Cor
wine had taken no action to suppress
them. He said he would show that
gambling houses were allowed TO
operate and that one OF the, nolice-
men then on the force, named whit
ley had participated in the gambling.
He explained the "Biitz' system or
running the police court. and declared
that thousands of dollars which
should have gone into the city treas
Dry were diverted into the bondsnnan's
pockets, and that the mayor was seen
at Blitzs place of business on at least
TWO or three occasions.
Veale's Testimony.
Veale's testimony, in part. was as
follows: as
O. Are you acquainted with Mayor
Corwine? =?
A. 1 am.
Q. l wish you would state to the
court H. up to the time of the filing
OF this case, whether the mayor ever
reported TO you, either verbally. or by
ietter any violations of the prohibitory
law in the city of Topeka
A. L have no recollection of him
making any reports Except that dur
ing the investigation Mr.. Raster, as
sistant city attorney. kept me advised
Of the liquor cases.
Q. When did anyone first COM
mence reporting those cases to you?
A. CReferring to his files). Well,
the first report was made May I6,
1922. signed by G. A. Swallow, chief of
police.
O. Prior to that time had the
or in writing, concerning any viola
tions of the liquor law?
A. Not to my recollection. (This
was objected to as being too broad
question. but oyerruled.)
Q. During the mayors last term,
and prior to May 1. did you ever re-
ceive a report from the chief or
any of the police regarding liquor
law violations?
A. Well, can't Just recollect. I
think 1 did, perhaps on one or two
occa sfons. 1 think Mr.. Kiely called
me once about raid on a party
named Stone.
Q. Did you participate in that raid
in cooperation with Mr.. Kiely
A. Yes. sir.
In response to Griffith's questions,
veale then told of the arrest Of NJ. L.
(Cocky) Robinson on a charge of SELL
ing liquor. and explained that his case
is now pending. He stated that the
information leading to Robinson's ar
rest had not come from the police or
the mayor.
Cross examination by Col. Clad
Hamilton:
Q. Are you now receiving from Mr..
Raster formal and regular reports
concerning prosecutions of liquor cases
BY the police. Mr.. Veale.
A. / am now. yes sir
Q. Please state whether Mayor Cor
wine asked you for conference
about May I.
A 1 don't recall that he did. no
sir.
Q. Would you say that he didn'tI
A I recall that the mayor and Mr..
O'Neil, the city attorney. called on
me after the investigation started.
Q. Did this call have anything to
do with the better enforcement Of the
liquor laws in Topeka?
A Veale said he didn't know the
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