The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-24
POLICE PROBE ON!
Hearings of Charges Against
Topeka Police Under Way.
Star Chamber Sessions Con-
cerning Public Matters.
WOMEN CALL At CITY HALL
Many Private Conferences Held
by Mayor and Commissioners.
State Keeps Right on With In
VeStigatiOns Today.
WOMEN CALL At CITY HALL

The hearings" of charges against
Chief of Police Guy A. Swallow, be-
fore the city commission, opened late
this afternoon, after having been
hanging fire since Tuesday afternoon,
during private conferences between
the mayor and the city commissioners.
Wen start the hearing this after
noon," Mayor Corwine stated at 2:45
o'clock. THE chief will be present,
and Wen have a little private inter-
view with him first"
Hearings To Be Private.
The hearings will be private
1t is understood that by private
hearings is meant hearing of wit
nesses and the chief of police. before
the mayor and commission, with rep
resentatives of the newspapers present
and the remainder of the public ex-
cluded.
For three hours late Tuesday after
noon, Chief Swallow was closeted with
the mayor and the members of the
commission. discussing the charges
against him. and making his own
statement to the commissioners.
The meeting of the commission said
to have been called for $3.50 o'clock
this morning did not materialize.
Shortly after 1880 o'clock the mayor
flee for the purpose of a conference.
The public was excluded.
A few moments earlier a committee
of several women, headed by Mrs.
c. J. Evans, who headed the delega-
ton which, Saturday. demanded the
removal of the chief, came to the
mayors office.
Women Call Again.
The women stated that they were
there to find out whether the hearings
are to be public or private. City At
torney Ralph O'Neil met the women
IN, 11a r,F ~
formed them that he believed the
hearings would be private, altho the
commission had not decided. The
women were asked whether they had
evidence which they wished to pro-
duce at the hearings, and replied that
what evidence they had possessed had
been placed at the hands of the at
torney general, and is at present in
the hands Of the city attorney, as wen.
After remaining for more than an
hour, the women left the building.
Tho commissioners shortly after
ward. it being lunch time, fixed 2:30
o'clock this afternoon for a reconven-
ing of the private conference, and left
the building.
No statement has been made as yet
as to when the actual hearings will
commence.
The hall on the third floor of the
city building was visited by a large
of persons interested in the
possible public hearings this morning.
No statement has yet been made as
to what was developed n the discus
sion with Chief Swallow Tuesday eva
ming after 8 o'clock.
State Still Active
The attorney generals office today
was continuing the investigation of
the department. It was stated that |
evidence developed this morning con-
cerning patrolman who had bean |
going to certain Joints and gam |
bling The policemans name was
withheld temporarily pending the |
of further evidence against /
him.
Police Confer at O'Clock.
Frank Leech. acting chief, issued |
call this morning requesting the pres [
ence of every policeman at police /
headquarters at o'clock this after |
noon- He stated that the object OF /
the call was to confer and advise with 1
the men regarding the general condi- /
lions. He would make no recommen-
dations to them concerning any /
change in policy at the present time. /
he stated.