News Items from The Kansas City Journal ~ Old News That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

January 20, 1910

TWO SERGEANTS STEP UP.

Commissions as Lieutenants for

James and Anderson.

The first promotion of any moment to be made by the present police board took place nar the close of the meeting yesterday when Sergeants Robert E. L. James and Frank H. Anderson, who have given the better parts of their lives to the service, were made lieutenants. Anderson is said to be a Republican and James is a Democrat. Neither man got much encouragement from former boards though their records are both clean.

Anderson, now assigned to desk work at No. 3 station on the Southwest boulevard, went on the force November 9, 1889. On account of his intelligence and adaptability for the work he was assigned for m any eyars to duty in the city clerk's office where he served papers in condemnation suits and did clerical work. On January 9, 1907, while H. M. Beardsley was mayor, Anderson was made a sergeant by a Democratic board. His promtion is said to have been due to former Mayor Beardsley's efforts.

Lieutenant James went on the department as a probationary officer July 22, 1889, a few months before Lieutenant Anderson. As a patrolman James has walked every beat in Kansas City. On July 22, 1902, he was promoted to sergeant.

James early showed particular efficiency in handling large crowds. While outside sergeant at No. 2 station in the West Bottoms during the destructive flood of June, 1903, James distinguished himself.

Last July, when still a sergeant, James was assigned by the police board to Convention hall as instructor in the matter of police duty. This pertained to the old men, already on the force as well as new recruits. In all 241 policemen were instructed in groups of from twenty-five to seventy and their instruction lasted from seventy-two to ninety hours per group. Lieutenant James also had charge of the initial opening of Electric park a few years ago. For two weeks he has had charge of the desk at No. 7 station in Sheffield. Lieutenant James was born at Tipton, Cooper county, Mo., October 17, 1867. His father, Dr. P. T. James, was assistant surgeon general to General Sterling Price of the Confederate army. Some time after the war the family moved to Holden, Mo.. Lieutenant James is married and has four children. He is a brother of Dr. Samuel C. James, a member of the general hospital staff of visiting surgeons and physicians.

Labels: Civil War, Convention Hall, Electric park, general hospital, Mayor Beardsley, No 2 police station, No 3 police station, police board, politics, sheffield, Southwest boulevard

January 10, 1910

SOCIETY'S AIM TO

UPLIFT PRISONERS.

National Organization to Be

Formed During Present

Convention.

To make good folks out of bad ones is the object of a convention of men and women representing eight states, which began in Kansas City yesterday and will continue until Wednesday.

The meeting is that of the Society of the Friendless, which has for its purpose the uplifting of men, women and children within prison walls and their conversion tion good citizens when they are released. The society was started ten years ago in Kansas and Missouri, but at the present convention a national organization will be perfected.

The opening meeting of the convention was held yesterday in the Institutional church, Admiral boulevard and Holmes street, and the feature was an address by Fred M. Jackson, attorney general of Kansas, who declared that in enforcing prohibition of the liquor traffic Kansas is doing more than probably any other state in the prevention of crime. Other speakers of the afternoon were Henry M. Beardsley of Kansas City and Dr. A. J. Steelman of Seattle, superintendent of the Washington branch of the society.

J. K. Codding, warden of the Kansas state prison at Lansing, was to have spoken, but was unable to attend the meeting yesterday because of injuries received several days ago. He expects to be present at the session today.

Mr. Jackson was assigned the topic of law enforcement as a preventive of crime. He said, in part:

"In Kansas it is figured that one-fifth of the men in prison are there by accident or thorugh the miscarriage of justice, another fifth is a criminal class andd the remaining 60 per cent are men who may either be saved or become criminals.

"We proceed in Kansas the best way to save this 60 per cent, and that is to enforce the law against the organized liquor traffic. The greter per cent of men in prison go there because of the liquor traffic and the state claims the right to oust any business which contributes so largely to the public expense and to public detriment.

"Some people ask why w do not have a local option law or some other measure than prohibition. When you grant licenses in one part of the state, you bot those who do not want liquor as an element of government. When we have prohibition it should be enforced. The state demands it and I do not claim the least bit of credit for my part in enforcing it. An officer who merely does his duty doens't deserve any credit.

"There result where the law ha been enforced is that society and the man have been repaid. Business men realize the poverty which liquor causes and are against it. What is a saloonkeeper? He is a man who wants to share the responsiblilty of government, who helps run the police power, whose consent is necessary to levy taxes and disburse them. By putting him out of the way, more than half hte counties of Kansas have dispensed with their poor houses and in other counties these institutions are but poorly populated.

HAS PAID KANSAS.

"We have decreased crime and criminals. Has it paid Kansas? The results speak for themselves."

Dr. Steelman, who talked on the reformatory side of the prison, told of the wonderful progress made in the treatment of prisoners and of modern methods for making them good citizens after their release. The first step in the movement, he said, was saving the services of the prisoners to the state and this was succeeded by the idea of saving the men themselves. Dr. Steelman was formerly warden of the Joliet (Ill.) penitentiary.

Mr. Beardsley devoted his talk to outlining the purposes of the society. He said the work of the society is both preventive and to help the fallen.

"Criminals," said Mr. Beardsley, "ought to be on the credit instead of the debit side of the state's accounts. A small amount invested in reclaiming these men brings big returns to the state."

Mr. Beardsley said the work of the society has been costing about $12,000 a year, but that this year $15,000 will be required.

Warden Codding of Lansing, in a telegram to the society, expressed regret at his inability to be present and conveyed his good wishes.

The Rev. E. A. Fredenhagen of Kansas City, corresponding secretary of the society, presided at the meeting yesterday.

Labels: Admiral boulevard, alcohol, conventions, Holmes street, jail, Mayor Beardsley, ministers, organizations, penitentiary, prohibition, visitors

October 23, 1909

Y. M. C. A. FORMALLY OPENED.

Moving Pictures Show Asso-

ciation's Work Around

The World.

In the chapel, festooned with flags, a small audience, composed mostly of chief contributors to the building fund, formally opened the new Y. M. C. A. building, Tenth and Oak streets, last night. the speeches, interspersed with songs, were led by Henry M. Beardsley, president of the association.

Beardsley said, in introduction, that the new building is a credit to the city it represents, he said, an expenditure of about $377,000. After next month there will be no indebtedness. The building committee at present is only $2,000 behind the appropriation and this amount will be raised at a carnival to be held one week beginning November 16. His remarks were cheered.

John Barrett, long connected with association work in foreign countries, spoke lightly of conversations he has had with diplomats, presidents or magnates. With the versatility of a moving picture machine, Barrett called up mental views of Japan, Africa, Asia Minor, Argentina and Mexico. He compared statements of a viceroy of Manchuria with that of the president of a Central American republic or of a may or of a little town in Iowa.

In ever country, Barrett said, the association is leading the vanguard of civilizing influences.

Labels: Mayor Beardsley, moving pictures, Oak street, real estate, Tenth street, YMCA

June 29, 1909

JOSHES NEW COP AND

IS PROMPTLY PINCHED.

AUDITOR'S PAYMASTER SAID

"OH, YOU KID."

A Jewish policeman, the first Kansas City ever had, arrested an Irishman last night for disturbing the officer's peace.

Max Joffy, formerly a porter in James Pendergast's saloon and later a janitor at the city hall under Mayor Henry M. Beardsley, was appointed a probationary patrolman on the police force yesterday morning along with forty-three other men.

Proudly wearing his new star and swinging a white ash club he entered the drug store of Morton Burger at Independence avenue and Cherry street yesterday afternoon. Frank O. Donnely, paymaster in the city auditor's office, was in the drug store. Knowing Joffy for years he was amused at the Jewish policeman's outfit and burst out laughing.

"Holy St. Patrick, look at the new cop," laughed Donnely, making a grimace, "Oh, you kid!"

Joffy's new found dignity was touched. He placed his hand on Donnelly's back and said:

"I'll teach you to talk that way to an officer. Come on down to the station."

Donnelly rose from the fountain, where he was drinking an ice cream soda, with a glass holder in his hand. Joffy drew his revolver, afterwards found to be unloaded, and with the tags still upon it. Donnelly's Irish spirit ebbed and he submitted. He was taken to the central police station where he was booked for disturbing the peace. He afterward gave bond.

"I know nothing of the merits of the case against Donnelly," said Captain Walter Whitsett last night, "but I do know that a police officer's peace cannot be disturbed, according to the law as it is interpreted by the courts."

Donnelly is a rising young Democratic politician in the Sixth ward. He has been paymaster in the city auditor's office for three years. He lives with his family at 632 Troost avenue.

"I couldn't resist the temptation to have a little fun at Joffy's expense," he said. "I have known the man for five years and had never seen him take offense at a well meant joke before. This is the first time I was ever arrested in my life."

STRANGE NAMES IN LIST.

The list of forty-three officers appointed by the board yesterday bears only one Irish name -- that of Daniel R. McGuire, who was made a jailer. There are such cognomens as Obrecht, Zinn, Mertz, Baer, Niemier and Siegfried. They were given clubs, stars and revolvers yesterday afternoon and will be assigned for duty today.

Joffy was not on duty at the time his first arrest was made. He is the first policeman of Jewish descent to be appointed in the city, according to men who have been on the force for many years.

Labels: Captain Whitsett, Cherry street, guns, immigrants, Independence avenue, James Pendergast, Jews, Mayor Beardsley, police, politics, Troost avenue

March 3, 1909

STOP THE DANCE?

NOT I, SAYS GREGORY.

ACTING MAYOR STATES THAT

POLICE WON'T INTERFERE.

"Those Who Believe It Not Right

Can Stay at Home" -- Failure

to Demonstrate Disap-

points Court Crowd.

THE BILLBOARD SALOME, TO WHICH OBJECTION WAS MADE.

"Will I stop the Salome dance?" Robert L. Gregory, acting mayor, repeated as he held the telephone receiver to his early yesterday afternoon. His answer was a decided "No."

When he was finished speaking over the telephone the acting mayor turned to the members of the board of public works, with whom he was meeting, and said, "Now what do you think of that? That fellow wanted to know if I, as acting mayor, would clamp the lid on that dance if the court refused the injunction. If Gertie wants to dance with a little lace wrapped around her she is welcome to, and the police won't interfere. Those who believe it is not right can stay at home while those who do can plunk down their money and take a front seat for all I care. Why should I stop a Salome dance or an y old kind of a dance?"

SHE DIDN'T DO THE STUNT.

Disappointment sat deep on every face, and there was not an "I don't care" expression in the crowd which went to the court house yesterday to see Gertrude Hoffman do a stunt with a string of beads. Gertrude, you know, does the Salome dance in "The Mimic World" at the Shubert theater, or rather, she did until the courts stopped her Monday night.

The restraining order granted at that time was made returnable yesterday, and large was the crowd that came to see and hear. Judge James H. Slover, in whose division the case fell, heard affidavits and speeches and more speeches, and then said he would decide today whether to make the restraining order permanent or dissolve it. Meanwhile, of course, Salome will not dance.

All hands had expected to see, as evidence, the whole dance as performed at the theater. But the dancer did not come, only lawyers.

COSTS $6,000 A WEEK.

"It costs $80,000 to create this show, and the weekly expense roll is $6,000," said Clyde Taylor, appearing on behalf of the theater. So maybe it was too expensive to have Miss Hoffman.

"To stop this dance, which is strictly a moral affair," continued Mr. Taylor, "would entail large financial loss. If the show was not clean, it would never have been put on the boards and have received favorable comment everywhere."

On behalf of those who secured the restraining order, John T. Harding, Ellison Neel and H. M. Beardsley spoke. Affidavits made by George E. Bowling, Nathanial Dickey and D. A. Trimble were read. These men had been appointed by the Independence Avenue Methodist Episcopal church to make a report to the court. In substance they said the dance was immoral and demoralizing to the mind of the spectator. Photographs were taken of posters put up by the show also were introduced as evidence.

TELL WHY THEY OBJECT.

Mrs. E. D. Hornbrook said she saw the dance in New York, and thought it not proper. She had made up her mind, she said, to try to suppress it if it came to Kansas City. She had not seen the dance at the Shubert. William D. Latham of the board of trade disapproved of the dance, as did also Omar Robinson, a lawyer, and I. B. Hook and others. A painting of Maud Allan as Salome, to give the court an idea of how the Hoffman dance is said to be carried on, was also introduced.

Dr. George L. A. Hamilton, for the defendants, said the dance was art, and could not be objected to. John B. Reynolds, manager of the company, was represented by an affidavit giving the expenses of the show.

Also there was a statement from Miss Hoffman herself. The dances she employs, she said, were copied from those of the Far East, and patterned after the Oriental idea of grace. She said it was in no sense a "hootchie-kootchie," as some of the objectors had said.

Then there was a great deal of oratory, and the case, known officially as the state of Missouri, at the relation of Elliot W. Major, attorney general, against Earl Steard and others, went over until today. Judge Slover did not say that he had been at the Shubert. He goes to the theater infrequently.

Labels: churches, courtroom, dancing, Judge Slover, Lawsuit, Mayor Beardsley, Robert Lee Gregory, theater

February 27, 1909

POLICE BOARD IS

NAMED BY HADLEY.

R. B. MIDDLEBROOK AND THOS.

R. MARKS APPOINTED.

Mr. Middlebrook Is to Serve Until

the Time When He Can Be Ap-

pointed to Board of Elec-

tion Commissioners.

R. B. Middlebrook and Thomas R. Marks were yesterday appointed by Governor Herbert S. Hadley members of the police board. In making the announcement, the governor gave out the following statement:

"I have offered the positions of police commissioners of Kansas City to R. B. Middlebrook and Thomas R. Marks and they have somewhat reluctantly consented to serve. Neither was an applicant for the position. I have given almost as much time to the selection of police commissioners in Kansas City as to all of my other appointments.

"The question has not been the selecting of two commissioners, but the selection of a commissioner that would meet the requirements of the situation. In my effort to secure such a commissioner I have offered the appointments to R. C. Meservey, D. J. Haff, Henry M. Beardsley, Eugene H. Blake, Clyde Taylor, Thomas H. Reynolds and John H. Thatcher. None of these gentlemen felt that they ought or could accept the position.

"I feel that in Mr. Middlebrook and Mr. Marks, I have finally secured two men who are familiar with the conditions existing in the police department in Kansas City, and know how a good police department ought to be conducted. I feel confident that they will meet my expectations and the requirements of the situation."

Mr. Middlebrook is to serve as police commissioner only until there is a vacancy on the board of election commissioners, when he will be appointed to fill it.

Both of Governor Hadley's appointees to the Kansas City board of police commissioners were of the opinion yesterday that the announcement of any particular brand of reform would be presumptuous as well as premature. Neither was inclined to go into generalities concerning the duties of the members of the board, but even with the short notice on which their appointments were made, each had a number of ideas that promise much in the way of curbing criminal activities.

"I have no swamp-root remedies or sweeping reforms to proclaim," said Thomas R. Marks last night at his office in the First National bank building. "I have a well-imbedded idea that the police service should become one of the military arms of the state, with its efficiency raised to the highest possible degree by the enforcement of discipline and promotion for the men, based on merit alone. It should be the alm of the police department to win the confidence of respectable citizens and not submit to the machinations of a lot of political gangsters.

"It appears to me that the published reports of an epidemic of crime are not exaggerated. Of course, you can't put down crime with a theory, and I hope I'm not a crank on such matters, but it seems to me that the problem can be boiled down to this: Law enforcement."

"Will a chief of police be appointed from within or with the force?" Mr. Marks was asked.

"Personally, I would much prefer that a head of the department be selected from those attached to it, provided a man who can meet the qualifications can be found. On the other hand I should not hesitate to go outside of the force for a chief, if I thought it were for the benefit of the service. This same applies to other appointments to be made by the board./

"Governor Hadley called me up this afternoon and told me I simply must accept the appointment," said Robert R. Middlebrook last night at his residence, 1800 Linwood boulevard. "It could not but militate against good taste for me to make any statement as to reform," Mr. Middlebrook went on. "The trouble with most so-called reformers," he said, "is that they do not preserve the rotundity of the law as they would have it enforced. They vigorously enforce the statutes against certain classes of criminals, while other classes, not so conspicuous perhaps, go unchecked. That is lop-sided reform. I am for a clean, orderly administration, with the explicit understanding that the compensation fixed by law shall be the only remuneration. In other words -- no graft."

Labels: Commissioner Marks, First National Bank building, Herbert Hadley, Mayor Beardsley, police board

February 25, 1909

NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE HALL.

Police Compelled H. B. Wagner to

Stay at a Gypsy Smith Meeting.

H. B. Wagner, 407 Baird building, addressed a communication to the police commissioners yesterday, complaining that he was compelled to sit and listen to Gypsy Smith in Convention hall February 22 against his will. He desired to be informed by what authority the police stationed at the revival meeting refused to allow anyone to leave the building.

The writer stated that Captain John Branham, No. 3 police station, informed him that he was acting under orders of Ex-Mayor Beardsley, and he wanted to be cited to the authority giving anyone the right to take away his constitutional privileges. The board failed to take any action on the complaint.

Labels: Convention Hall, Mayor Beardsley, No 3 police station, police, police board

November 7, 1908

Y. M. C. A. TO CELEBRATE

ITS 48TH BIRTHDAY.

WILL HOLD EXERCISES IN MANY

CHURCHES SUNDAY.

Organization Began as a Prayer Meet-

ing in London 54 Years Ago

Local Branch One of

First in the West.

The local organization of the Young Men's Christian Association will be 48 years old Sunday, and in commemoration of this even plans have been completed for meetings to be held in thirty-seven churches in Kansas City. Prominent workers in the association from various cities will make the addresses at the night services and a meeting for men will be held at the Willis Wood theater at 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon. At this meeting Henry M. Beardsley, president of the local association, will preside, and L. Wilbur Messer, general secretary of the Y. M. C. A., will make the principal address. A special male quartet will furnish music.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized fifty-four years ago in London, England, and the movement spread into the United States the next years. Although started as a young men's prayer meeting, with the first meeting held in a small room, it has grown until a building is located in every city of any size in the world and work is being carried on even in heathen countries. Millions of men are banded together under one banner, and a member of the association in Kansas City is welcomed at any association in the world.

The Kansas City organization was one of the first to be started west of the Mississippi river. The local organization now has 1,500 members and has a campaign in progress whereby at least 400 more are to be secured.

Labels: birthdays, churches, England, Mayor Beardsley, music, organizations, YMCA

October 5, 1908

TAFT GIVES SPEECH TO

"NEGROES ONLY."

Pays Surprise Visit to

Allen Chapel.

William Taft, Republican candidate for President, while in Kansas City yesterday could not resist the impulse to show his love for the negro race by making unto them a speech. When the presidential nominee was scheduled to speak here it was understood that he was coming only to address the Y. M. C. A. at the Independence Avenue M. E. church.

No one seemed willing in Republican circles this morning to say much regarding the Taft negro meeting which was held in Allen chapel at Tenth and Charlotte street yesterday afternoon. It was said that it was not known that Taft was to speak at the church until a few moments before he arrived there. Despite this fact that it was a non-advertised meeting, there were fully 1,500 negroes gathered to hear the candidate.

Mr. Taft's address to the negroes was presided over by the former mayor of the city, Henry M. Beardsley, under whose administration so many negroes held positions on the city working force.

Labels: churches, Mayor Beardsley, politics, President Taft, race

October 5, 1908

CURIOUS CROWD HEARS TAFT.

Persons Disperse as Soon as Roosevelt's

Candidate Appears.

William H. Taft may have saved his voice, as he planned to do, by refusing to speak in Convention hall yesterday afternoon, and choosing a church which would seat 1,200 persons instead, but he caused much discomfort to hundreds who heard him and disappointment to others who stood for several hours only to be finally refused admittance altogether.

Mr. Taft spoke from the pulpit of the Independence avenue Methodist church, under the auspices of the local Y. M. C. A. Before the doors were opened a patient crowd had assembled, a majority of whom, to judge from the good natured raillery with which they wiled the time away, were actuated by curiosity.

The crowd, like Mary's little lamb, still lingered near and when, a few minutes later, Mr. Taft appeared in a red automobile, accompanied by former Mayor Henry M. Beardsley and one or two other local celebrities of like political faith, the consuming curiosity was evidently appeased and it thinned rapidly.

Labels: churches, Independence avenue, Mayor Beardsley, politics, President Taft, YMCA

August 25, 1908

ASHLAND CORNERSTONE LAID.

School Building Will Be One of

The Best in the City.

Accompanied by appropriate ceremonies the cornerstone for the new Ashland school, in course of construction at Twenty-fourth street and Elmwood avenue, was laid yesterday afternoon.

Joseph L. Norman, president of the board of education, who was to have delivered the principal address, was unable to attend the ceremonies because of illness, his place being taken by Hale H. Cook, a member of the board. Mr. Cook, during the course of his remarks explained that when the new school, when completed, would be one of the best in the city, and that he was of the opinion that within the course of a short time an addition would become necessary.

A. C. Wright, who was acquainted with the school in its earlier days, delivered an interesting address. Mr. Wright said that he could remember when the school was a small one-story frame, a considerable distance out in the country. He read some interesting documents having to do with transfers of the property when the first permanent building was erected. Ex-Mayor H. M. Beardsley also was one of the speakers.

Before the stone was placed in position a box containing the superintendent's last annual report, documents having to do with the history of the school, coins contributed by pupils and other articles were deposited in it by Mrs. Gertrude Edmondson, principal of the school.

Labels: cornerstones, Elmwood avenue, Mayor Beardsley, schools, Twenty-fourth street

June 2, 1908

'THERE'S NOTHING

TO IT'; JONES

IT'S NONE OF THE PUBLIC'S

BUSINESS, HE SAYS.

SPEAKING OF

POLICE SCANDAL.

DOESN'T FAVOR ARRESTING THE

PARASITICAL VAGS.

"What Good Would It Do? Listlessly

Inquires the Commissioner --

Mayor Hangs Fire on

Investigation.

Lavender women, their friends the dude vagrants, the thief, the thug and the saloonkeeper, may go on threatening the police; they may predict their removal and the prediction may come true so far as Elliott H. Jones, a member of the board of police commissioners, seems to care.

"There's nothing to it," he said yesterday. "I never met Mickey O'Hearn in my life until inauguration day in April, but a man tells me that he says neither he nor any of his friends ever threatened the police. And Chief of Police Daniel Ahern says he never moved men on Mickey's account -- so that settles it."

"But would you not think it proper to call in the six or eight men who have been taken out of plain clothes in the last six months after they were threatened, told they would be moved, and hear them tell you that they were moved on the very day that certain men and women set for them?' the commissioner was asked.

"It's none of the public's business why men were moved, and I for one shall not ask the chief to give his specific reasons for so doing."

"Do you know that a written resolution which stated that no more men should be moved from one beat or district to another without an absolute order from the board or the chief's written reasons for so doing, was unanimously adopted last July?" Mr. Jones was then asked.

"I BELIEVE GALLAGHER."

"This board is not governed by any orders of the previous board," he said promptly. "Anyway, Commissioner A. E. Gallagher tells me that no such resolution was adopted. I believe him."

When it was known that men were being moved after they had been threatened, Chief Ahern was asked if he moved them without the order of the board.. He said he moved men each month and knew of n o order to the contrary. Then an investigation was made and the following was learned:

James E. Vincil, secretary to the board of police commissioners -- "Yes, I remember the resolution well, but I think it was only made a verbal order to the chief. I have looked and it is not of record."

Former Chief John B. Hayes -- "The resolution was introduced by Frank F. Rozzelle, then a member of the board. It was in writing, as I remember, and was unanimously adopted."

Frank F. Rozzelle, former commissioner -- "During the trial of Captain Weber, Chief Hayes testified that Commissioner Gallagher had ordered men moved from one district to another and the members of the board knew nothing of it. I introduced a resolution in writing, as I remember, to this effect: 'Resolved, That in the future the change of any member of this department from one beat or district to another shall not be made with out the order and full consent of the board.' "

IT WAS IN WRITING.

Former Mayor Henry M. Beardsley -- "I recall that Commissiner Rozzelle introduced the resolution in writing. It was unanimously adopted. As I recall it, the resolution stated that in future no changes of men should be made without the order of the board, or, if it became necessary, for the chief to move a man in an emergency, he was to furnish the board his specific reasons in writing for doing so. I was so sure that such a resolution had been adopted that I asked Secretary Vincil about it and only a short time before I left the mayor's office. He remembered it as much as I did, but, strange to say, it was not of record in his office."

Besides these men of reputation who recall the adoption of the resolution there were at least five newspaper reporters present who remembered the occurrence well -- and the necessity for such a resolution.

According to Commissioner Jones, however, even if such a resolution was adopted by the board as previously constituted, the present "reform" board will not take cognizance of it -- at least, he intimated, that he and his colleague, Mr. Gallagher, would not.

HE'S WILLING, BUT SHY.

"So far as I am individually concerned," said Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., "I would favor a thorough investigation into anything concerning the police where serious charges are made. But as I am so new at the business, I would prefer that an older member of the board take the lead."

When Commissioner Jones was told that the police were well acquainted with most all of the well dressed vagrants in No. 4 district, the men whose sole support for years has been fallen women, and was asked if a special order would be issued to arrest all such men and ring them into police court, he replied:

OH, WHAT'S THE USE?

"What good is to be accomplished by it? Other men would take their places and we might fill up our workhouse with men for the city to support."

While Commissioner Jones was talking he had before him a large envelope which contained a record of the changes made in the police department June 1. They had been made by the chief, he said, and he would not know what they were until he had read it. He said that he or other members of the board might request a change, but in the aggregate the board would not know why changes were made unless the chief was asked for his specific reasons, Mr. Jones says, he refuses to make public.

Labels: Commissioner Gallagher, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Rozzelle, corruption, crime, Mayor Beardsley, Mayor Crittenden, newspapers, No 4 police station, police board, Police Chief Ahern, Police Chief Hayes

April 21, 1908

MR. CRITTENDEN IS

NOW THE MAYOR.

TOOK OATH OF OFFICE AT HIGH

NOON YESTERDAY.

The Ceremonies Were Witnessed by a

Large Gathering of Men and

Women in Lower House

of the Council.

Two years of municipal rule under the Democratic party became operative at 12:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when Mayor-Elect Crittenden took the oath of office as administered by City Clerk Clough, and Mayor Beardslehy took formal leave of his two years' stewardship of the city's affairs.

The inaugural ceremony was held in the lower house of the council chamber. It was preceded at the noon hour by the firing of minute guns on the outside of the hall. The chambers were decorated with the national colors, palms, ferns, plants and blossoms. The desks of the aldermen, speakers' rostrum and reading clerk stand were particularly lavishly decorated. Many of the aldermen were recipients of special floral offerings from their admiring friends, the most noticeable set pieces being a pyramid bouquet at the station of Alderman Pendergast; an immense floral horse shoe on the desk of Alderman O'Hearn from the Second Ward Democratic Club; a vase of American Beauty roses on the desk of Alderman Woolf, and a tree trimmed with lemons which were calculated to describe what had been handed the individuals and interests that had so desperately fought Woolf in the Third ward; a four leaf floral shamrock, seven feet high, was the gift to Alderman Bulger from his Fourth ward admirers.

CRITTENDEN AND BEARDSLEY.
Led by Aldermen Bulger and Bunker, Mayor-Elect Crittenden and Mayor Beardsley were escorted into the chambers. Their appearance was the signal for an outburst of applause which continued for many minutes. Mayor Beardsley's valedictory was short. He said that he had tried to discharge the duties of mayor for two years to the best of his ability and judgement, an d impressed upon his successor that he was not the mayor of any one man, faction or party, but the mayor of the whole city and wished for him abundant success. Mr. Crittenden relied that he fully realized all that his predecessor had said, that he would try to be mayor for all the people and when in doubt would seek their advice.

"Possibly, Mr. Beardsley, during my term of office I may have to go to you for advice, and I feel sure you will be pleased to extend to me the courtesies you have heretofore granted me," replied Mr. Crittenden, who then delivered his inaugural address.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, flowers, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, Mayor Crittenden, politics

April 8, 1908

CRITTENDEN WINS BY

LARGE MAJORITY.

MOST REMARKABLE DEMONSTRA-

TION EVER WITNESSED IN KAN-

SAS CITY TAKES PLACE WHEN

RESULT IS LEARNED.

KYLE RE-ELECTED

POLICE JUDGE.

BAEHR IS ALSO ELECTED

CITY TREASURER --

THE REST IS DEMOCRATIC

-- CRITTENDEN'S MAJORITY

1,320.

THE WINNING TICKET (Majorities).

Mayor -- Crittenden, D ..........................1,320
Police Judge -- Kyle, R ...........................2,213
Treasurer -- Baehr, R ............................1,220
Auditor -- Greene, D ..............................2,478
Attorney -- Langsdale, D .......................1,708
Upper House President, Gregory, D .....1,344

Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., Democrat, was elected mayor of Kansas City yesterday over Mayor Henry M. Beardsley, Republican, by 1,320 majority, with one precinct of the Twelfth ward missing. Harry G. Kyle, Republican, was re-elected police judge over Michael E. Casey, Democrat, and William J. Baehr, Republican, was elected city treasurer over Thomas S. Ridge, Democrat. Kyle's majority was 2,213.

The upper house Democratic ticket, with Robert L. Gregory president, elected three of its candidates, making that branch of the council still Republican. The lower house is overwhelmingly Democratic.

It was a big Democratic victory, and for the first time in four years the Democrats will be back in the city hall for a term of two years one week from next Monday.

While in the city ten days ago Attorney General Hadley warned his Republican friends that the issues advanced were false, and he quietly passed the word that if they were persisted in it could mean nothing but defeat. The result proves that Hadley was right.

Overcast clouds and intermittent showers ushered in the day. Despite the unfavorable aspect of the weather, voters were up and astir long before the break of day, and at 6 o'clock, when the polls opened, the voting places of the 164 precincts in the fourteen wards were besieged by long and patient lines of men awaiting the time and opportunity to cast their ballots.

The voting was rapid, the record in some precincts being one to the minute. Merchant, banker, professional man vied with the laborer to get to the ballot boxes.

SOME ARRESTS MADE.

In a majority of the precincts over half the total registration had been voted by noon, and from that time to the close of the polls at 7 o'clock the voting was by jerks and starts. It was stated in some of the precincts as early as 6 o'clock that all the votes that could be depended upon to be cast had been delivered, and this seemed true, for the judges, clerks and workers sat around idle.

Assertions of fraud were made during the early hours, and some arrests resulted It was charged that men had tendered money for votes, and that voters had accepted money. The early arrests of these offenders put a stop to any more such work so far as was observable, although at several times during the day Alderman Pendergast openly charged that Republicans were paying $3 a piece for negro votes in the First ward. Watchers sent into the ward by the Civic League said they had seen no vote-buying.

BUSINESS MEN REVOLT.

Up to noon the Republican headquarters felt sure of victory and the Democrats felt uneasy The first alarm was felt at 1111 Grand when the Republican precinct workers telephoned in that the noon hour vote of business men was against the Republican ticket. The excuse offered was that retail merchants were in a revolt against an evening newspaper.

The Democrats had not counted on this vote at all. As soon as they saw they were getting it they sent their runners into the stores after the clerks. With oodles of money to pay for carriages and automobiles to hurry them to their home wards, the Democrats found the store proprietors willing to let the men off to vote. It was a fully fledged rebellion in the Republican party.

As early as 4 o'clock it was announced at Democratic headquarters that the Democratic ticket was in the ascendancy. News came that Walter Dickey, Republican state chairman, had joined Mayor Beardsley in the Ninth ward, and with it came the news that negroes were beginning to vote the Republican ticket there. Dickey was understood to have wagered, for friends, about $18,000. One negro said he had been offered $8 for his vote. High as this was, $8 apiece for votes to save heavy bets would not be out of the way. There was Democratic money seen in the ward immediately. Twenty-four negroes voted the Democratic ticket straight at Fifteenth and Tracy. This looked like commercialism, but the retort was that the Republicans were at the same game. Governor Folk was hurried to the ward to see Democratic tickets voted by negroes. He expressed surprise.

There were only three fights reported at either headquarters, and both headquarters said they had heard of very little challenging. This presaged clear tally sheets, an early count and all judges signing.

ENTER CRITTENDEN, EXIT BEARDSLEY.

At 7 o'clock the mayor arrived at 1111 Grand, thinking he had squeezed through, but by 8 o'clock he admitted to a Journal man that "it looks blue." An hour later he conceded his defeat. This was while he sat in headquarters with a crowd taxing the capacity of the big hall.

Crittenden was sent for. He was not able to get to the Democratic headquarters until about 10 o'clock, just as Mayor Beardsley was leaving his own headquarters, a defeated man.

CROWDS FILL THE CITY.

The rival city chairmen, the rival candidates for mayor, the commissioners and governor Folk all admitted that there had been a reasonably fair election, marked by the absence of repeating and ruffianism. The most sensational spectacle at night was of Republicans going in squads to the Democratic headquarters to share in the demonstrations of victory. Full importance was given at the Republican headquarters to the weight the defeat will have on the Republican chances this fall, unless there is a new alignment and new issues found... while the Democrats claimed to see ahead far enough to make James A. Reed United States senator. Reed arrived at his headquarters about 10 o'clock. He was called on for a speech and made one from his automobile. He congratulated the entire party upon its success as an organization as a whole, but credited the enormous majority, by comparison, to the opposition of an evening newspaper. When afterwards Mr. Reed went past Eleventh and Grand on his triumphal tour, his car was halted and once more he was compelled to make a speech. He repeated what he had said at Democratic headquarters. From there he went to The Journal office, arriving just as two Democratic bands and processions met, one from Democratic headquarters, traveling from the west, and another form the Sixth ward, headed by the Italian band, coming from the east. The meeting was unexpected and most dramatic. From The Journal the crowd went back to Democratic headquarters and at midnight it was roving about the city.

Labels: Eleventh street, Fifteenth street, gambling, Governor Folk, Grand avenue, Herbert Hadley, James A. Reed, James Pendergast, Judge Kyle, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, music, politics, Robert Lee Gregory, The Journal, Tracy avenue

April 7, 1908

BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY.

Chairman Taylor Predicts

2,000 for Beardsley, Ross

5,000 for Crittenden.

Election day weather prediction -- Cloudy, and possible showers.

Polls open at 6 a. m. and close at 7 p. m.

Predicted that 44,000 votes will be cast in the 164 voting precints of the city.

REPUBLICAN CLAIMS.

Beardsley and the entire general Republican ticket will be elected by over 2,000 majority. I have a complete poll of the city made by men experienced in such work. The majorities for Beardsley in that portion of the city south of the Belt line and east of Woodland will be surprisingly large. --Clyde Taylor, Chairman Republican City Central Committee.

DEMOCRATIC CLAIMS.

Crittenden will be elected by 5,000 majority and the whole Democratic ticket as well will be elected. We figure we will carry the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth wards. We concede the loss of the Tenth ward, but believe that Morris, Republican nominee for lower house alderman, will be beaten.

The sentiment for the election of Mr. Crittenden is growing hourly, and we predict his election y no less than 5,000 majority. -- Michael Ross, Chairman Democratic City Central Committee.

The foregoing is the forcasts of the chairman of the Republican and Demoratic city central committees on the outcome of today's municipal election. They are given for what they are worth. Laymen say the race between Beardsley and Crittenden for mayor is to be close, and politicians who have made a study of the conditions say likewise.

Betting men have been laying odds on Crittenden, but yesterday the prevailing odds of $100 to $80 on Crittenden were wiped out and the betting was even money. It was said about the pool rooms and places where men speculate on elections that it was the Democrats themselves who wiped out the odds after hearing that Republicans had large sums of money to wager, but the Republicans claimed that it was their oldness and willingness to bet that made the Democratic speculators withdraw the odds.

Nothing new or sensational was infused into the campaign yesterday. There was a delightful absense of the day before election roorbacks, and one of the most spectacular mud-slinging campaigns that Kansas City has seen in years had a rather peaceful close.

Polls will open at 6 o'clock this morning and close at 7 o'clock tonight, just thirteen hours of voting. Prophets on matters political are predicting that if the weather is fine 44,000 ballots will be cast, and that scratched votes will be an observable feature of the day.

Labels: gambling, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, politics, weather

April 7, 1908

FILLED CONVENTION HALL.

Beardsley and Warner the Speakers

at Closing Republican Party.

Republicans held the closing general rally of the campaign in Convention hall last night. Speeches were made by Senator William Warner, Mayor Beardsley and R. R. Brewster.

The big hall was crowded to overflowing with men, women and children, many bringing their entire families to hear the speeches of the workers for the Republican administration. Repeated applause from a vicinity within close reach of the platform where the speakers stood followed the attacks on the different corporations, James A. Reed and Mr. Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr. Bitter attacks were made upon the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, and pictures of cities were shown where the street car fare is less than 5 cents, in one of which, at least, the fare was reduced by a public utilities commission.

Another series of pictures of the different Republican candidates for election today and of different improvements in the city made under the Beardsley administration was shown.

Senator William Warner acted as chairman of the meeting and delivered the opening address. The first part of his speech was pertaining to national and state affairs, in which he upheld the policies of President Roosevelt, and added that William H. Taft intends to carry out those policies. He gave a short talk on the railroad corporations as they are conducted today and as they were before President Roosevelt's administration.

NEED OF A COMMISSION.

He soon turned, however, to the election today in Kansas City, and in a brief address commended every candidate and attacked the Metropolitan street railway, Mr. Reed and Mr. Crittenden. One of his principal points was that a utilities commission will give the city a chance to govern corporations, and not the corporations to govern the city. "Corporations should not govern the city and dictate to the people how much they shall pay for their service, or how city affairs shall be operated," said Senator Warner. "I believe in a public utilities commission. The people should control and regulate the electric light plant and the Metropolitan street railway. We do not know whether these corporations and others are conducted properly, we do not know whether they are charging us unreasonable prices for service. A public utilities commission would see the books of these corporations and determine for the citizens if the corporations are meeting the public's interest.

Labels: Convention Hall, James A. Reed, Mayor Beardsley, Metropolitan Street Railway Company, politics, President Roosevelt, Senator Warner, Utilities

April 1, 1908

ELECTION WAGERS ARE SMALL.

Money Is Offered With Few Takers,

Pendergast's Odds.

Bets were being freely offered yesterday at even money as to the result for mayor and candidates on the main city ticket. The bulk of the cash seemed to be in the hands of the Crittenden supporters. Bets of $500 even on the Democratic nominee went begging, but smaller ones of $10, $20 and $50 were quickly called. A well known contractor visited the city hall, saying that he had $2,000 to bet on Crittenden in any sums convenient to Beardsley's supporters. After betting $50, the contractor ceased his bluffing, but promised to call again.

In a pool hall on Delaware street these bets were posted yesterday:

One hundred dollars, even, that Crittenden beats Beardsley.

Fifty dollars, even, Baehr, Republican, beats Ridge, Democrat for city treasurer.

One hundred dollars to 45 that Pendergast, Democrat, beats Rodman, Republican, for alderman of First ward.

Twenty-five dollars, even, Green, Republican, beats Hayes, Democrat, for alderman of Eighth ward.

Fifty dollars, even, that Woolf, Republican. beats beats Norton, Democrat, for alderman of Third ward.

Thirty dollars to $50 that Green beats Hayes.

Twenty-five dollars, even, that Kyle, Republican, beats Casey, Democrat, for police judge.

Labels: billiards, city hall, Delaware street, gambling, Mayor Beardsley, politics

March 28, 1908

WILL THEIR PAY BE RAISED?

Question City Employes Are Asking

Mayor Beardsley.

"If a public utilities commission will raise the salaries of private utility corporations, as is being asserted by political orators, I hope the same commission will have the power to do likewise to underpaid employes of the city," said W. H. Applegate, emoployed as a laborer at the Turkey creek water pumping station, yesterday.

"I have lived in Kansas City for forty years," he continued, "and have been employed as laborer for a number of years at Turkey creek water pumping station at $1.75 a day. This was the salary paid in 1891, and has never been raised, although the cost of living has advanced 40 per cent.

"Some months ago, with a delegation of laborers from the pumping station, we appealed to the board of public works for a slight increase in pay, but were refused. George Hoffmann, president of the board, said to us: "Boys, you have got an easy job and 365 days to work."

Labels: employment, laborer, Mayor Beardsley, public works, Utilities

March 12, 1908

SMOKE PROBLEM PECULIAR.

But Mayor Beardsley Will Fix It if

He Is Re-Elected.

"It is practically impossible to prevent black smoke pouring out over Kansas City as long as soft coal is used for fuel by the manufacturing concerns of the city," declared Professor J. M. Kent of the Manual Training high school, before a meeting of the stationary engineers of Kansas City at 1332 Grand avenue last night.

"Many plans have been tried -- steam jets, checker work and self-feeding grates. In spite of all of these, smoke will get out, if soft coal is used for fuel.

"This smoke problem is a peculiar one, inasmuch as the owners of boilers would make money if they could comply with the city's smoke ordinance. Ever bit of smoke that goes up a chimney and drifts in a cloud over the city, is so much heat value in the coal gone to waste. The big manufacturers and owners of office buildings are as willing as any citizen to comply with the city's smoke ordinance, but no efficient device has as yet been invented."

C. Y. Root spoke enthusiastically of the good that would come to Kansas City from the introduction of crude oil as a fuel. The smoke problem would be eliminated, he said, if oil were used for fuel instead of coal. He thought that it would require very little labor to pipe oil from the Kansas fields to Kansas City.

Mayor Beardsley told of the efforts made by him, as mayor, to enforce an anti-smoke ordinance. He said that if he was elected mayor again there would be no more smoke in Kansas City and that collars could be worn two days. He pledged the next council to this.

Labels: Grand avenue, Mayor Beardsley

February 18, 1908

LOOKS DARK FOR WALLACE.

In the Eleventh Hour He Is Being

Deserted by Reform Element.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 17 --(Special.) The Missouri Anti-Saloon League has passed word along to its organization in every part of the state to oppose Judge Wallace of Kansas City for the Democratic nomination for governor, and support Judge J. L. Fort. A league leader said today that Wallace may defeat the cause unless Republicans nominate H. M. Beardsley of Kansas City or some other man upon whom they can unite.

The league is further agitated by the report from Charles E. Stokes of Kansas City, chairman of the state prohibition committee, that the Prohibitionists mean to put a state ticket, from governor down, into the field.

Labels: Judge Wallace, Mayor Beardsley, politics, prohibition

February 13, 2008

BOARD DROPS JAILER DEHONEY.

"It Was No More Than Right," Was

His Only Comment.

Without giving him a hearing, the police board yesterday dropped Steve Dehoney, the jailer at No. 2 police station, who was arrested Monday night after complaint had been lodged against him by two young women, one of whom said he tried to take her with him to the police station, and it was only by defending herself with her fists that she was able to get away. Patrolman Charles D. Fuller narrowly escaped being shot in arresting Dehoney.

The members of the board in turn read the written reports of the case, and after a whispered conference it was decided to drop Dehoney.

"It is not necessary to give a public hearing to a probationary man," said Commissioner Gallagher. "But any time that he may feel that he wants a public hearing we will be glad to give it to him."

Dehoney, after waiting for an hour to hear what was to become of him, asked the board what was done in his case.

"You were dismissed," said Mayor Beardsley. "Is that satisfactory?"

"Yes, sir," said Dehoney. "It seems no more than right."

Labels: Mayor Beardsley, No 2 police station, police board

January 28, 1908

PREDICTS MAYOR'S DEFEAT.

Alderman Groves Says He Cannot Be

Re-Elected in Spring.

The defeat of Mayor Beardsley at the polls next spring was predicted in the lower house of the council last night by Alderman Groves, a Republican. Groves objected to the passage of a resolution introduced by Alderman Woolf giving the mayor sole authority to name thirteen freeholders to be voted for at the spring election, April 7, to revise the city charter.

"It is the same resolution passed a year ago. I can see why the alderman objects to this one now," said Alderman Woolf.

"This is not Russia, this is Kansas City, and I, for one, do not propose to delegate the machinery of this whole city to the mayor," replied Groves. "The people of this city sent twenty-eight aldermen here to do the legislative work, and to have the mayor take care of the executive part of it. How do we know that the mayor will be re-elected in the spring -- in fact, I will say to you on the quiet I do not think he will be."

The resolution was passed, Groves casting the only dissenting vote.

Labels: Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, politics

January 28, 1908

THEY'LL FIGHT CONSUMPTION.

Negroes Band Together to Battle

With the White Plague.

Six hundred negroes, eager to fight the white plague, met last night at Allen chapel, Tenth and Charlotte streets, and organized a colored people's branch of the Society for the Relief and Prevention of Tuberculosis. Mayor Beardsley and Dr. R. O. Cross addressed them, explaining in part the plans of the city for a tuberculosis sanitarium.

Among the negro speakers who followed, several declared that there will be vigorous work done now to educate their own people who are living in crowded tenements as to how to fight tuberculosis. Also it was said that the negroes will contrubute their part financially to the proposed $10,000 fund to be given to the city by way of destroying the idea that it is a city charity for paupers.

The negro society's officers are Dr. J. E. Dipple, president; W. C. Houston, secretary; Professor R. W. Foster, treasurer; Rev. F. Jesse Peck, chairman of the executive committee.

Others who spoke were: Dr. E. B. Ramsey, Dr. W. L Tompkins, Dr. A. E. Walker, Dr. J. E. Perry, Nelson, Crews, and Mrs. Cora Calloway, a trained nurse.

Labels: Charlotte street, churches, City Chemist Cross, health, Mayor Beardsley, nurses, organizations, race, Tenth street

January 16, 1908

JUST RAN INTO BULLET.

Detective Explains Why He Shot

Through a Citizen's Coat.

"That man just ran against my bullet. I saw him before I fired and he was sixteen feet away, but he just ran into it."

Thus did Detective Charles Lewis explain to the police board yesterday how it happened that a bullet fired by him at Frank Elliott, an escaping prisoner arrested on Christmas day on a robbery charge, went through the coat and overcoat of J. N. Downing, a lumberman living at 707 Oak street. Downing lodged a complaint against the detective December 31.

"Well, he certaily must have been going some," commented Mayor Beardsley.

"Better be a little more careful next time," said Commissioner Jones.

Lewis was exonerated. The board at a previous meeting decided to pay Downing for his damaged coats.

The police board decided yesterday that Kansas City is to have the best shooting police force in the country. That is to say, its police are to be the best marksmen with their revolvers. Orders were given for regular target practice by the force. D. C. Stone has been appointed instructor in shooting and inspection of firearms. The indoor target range at the Third regiment armory will be used. Regualr practice is to be required of all policemen, and records will be kept of their marksmanship.

Labels: Armory, Commissioner Jones, detectives, Mayor Beardsley, police board

January 14, 1907

SEPTIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

Expert Will Be Employed to

Determine Cost to City.

The board of public works and Mayor Beardsley were in executive session several hours yesterday considering the steps to be taken to install a sseptic system of drainage throughtout the city. It was decided to at once communicate with experts, to learn the cost of a system capable of caring for the present and future needs of the city.

Labels: Mayor Beardsley, public works

December 15, 1907

ENFORCING RIGHTEOUSNESS.

So Grand Jury Hasn't Time for Mere

Matters of Law.

Mayor H. M. Beardsley and City License Inspector W. H. Harrison came to the grand jury room in the criminal court building yeaterday afternoon with photographs of the interiors of local negro drinking clubs, showing men lined up before the bars drinking, and with names and street numbers to back up the photographs, and asked that the jury take some action. It was about the time for the jury to report to Judge W. H. Wallace on Sunday theater sinners, and the jury adjourned immediately after reporting. Three or four of the jurors and County Prosecutor I. B. Kimbrell remained to look at the pictures and take with the mayor and city inspector.

Frank McCrary, humane officer, who wanted to tell the jury about the sale of liquor to girls in two resorts on Walnut street, didn't get a chance to say anything.

Labels: Judge Wallace, Mayor Beardsley, Prosecutor Kimbrell

November 20, 1907

NO CHEERS FOR WALLACE.

Republicans Silent When Speech Is

Delivered in His Defense.

The principal attraction at the meeting of the Ninth Ward Republican Club, held at 1335 Grand avenue last night, was an address by Representative William A. Shope, in which he strongly commended the public utilities proposition as advanced by Mayor Beardsley. A speech approving the course adopted by Judge Wallace with regard to the Sunday closing movement, delivered by James Smith, county license inspector, was listened to in dead silence by the voters assembled.

Charles W. Walkem, an avowed candidate for the board of aldermen, discussed the public utilities bill from the mayor's point of view.

Labels: Judge Wallace, Mayor Beardsley, politics

November 19, 1907

IT WANTS TO KNOW

JURY CALLS MAYOR BEARDSLEY

TO CARPET AGAIN.

INDICTMENT MAY FOLLOW

YEAR IN JAIL OR A $500 FINE

THE PENALTY.

It Is Thought Police Board Has Been

Given One More Chance to Order

Police to Make View Arrests

of Sunday Violators.

Mayor Beardsley was called before the grand jury yesterday afternoon, as was Chief of Police Daniel Ahern. They were asked why the police had failed to make "on view" arrests of sellers of wares which the grand jury had placed under the ban on Sundays. The police commissioner, A. E. Gallagher, who was before the jury Saturday, was not summoned yesterday. County Prosecutor I. B. Kimbrell was before the jury half a dozen times.

All during the day, T. T. Willis, the foreman, kept running out of the jury room to hold whispered conversations with Judge Wallace. Several times Prosecutor Kimbrell was called in to make the conference three-cornered. When Kimbrell was not in the jury room, he was pacing up and down the corridor outside the grand jury door.

Just before Mayor Beardsley left the criminal court building, he was surrounded by a group of reporters.

"Were you summoned for a conference, as a witness or for what?" he was asked.

"Just for what. That is it, exactly -- for what?" he replied.

That the question of indicting the mayor and the police commissioners for their neglect to obey the mandate of the grand jury and order the patrolmen to make "on view" arrests Sunday was the matter under discussion, there is no doubt. All that happened inside the jury room, of course, is not known, but it is certain that Mr. Kimbrell was asked again, as on Saturday, to inform the mayor of the law which requires the police board to order view arrests made, and the law which lays members of the board liable to pay a fine of $500 or to serve one year in jail for failure to make such order. Nothing was done yesterday so far as could be learned, except the expenditure of much breath, but things are in a very pretty tangle.

Labels: Mayor Beardsley, police board, Police Chief Ahern, Prosecutor Kimbrell

November 17, 1907

TO CENSOR THE THEATERS

CITY MAY ADOPT A MEASURE TO PRE-

VENT INDECENT PERFORMANCES.

The Question Considered at a Conference

Between the Mayor, City Counselor

and Alderman Young -- To Reg-

ulate Picture Machines.

A definite move to prevent indecent performances at theaters and the exhibition of obscene pictures at picture machine parlors was made yesterday at a conference, attended by Mayor Beardsley, E. C. Meservey, city counselor, and Alderman C. A. Young.

Complaints have reached the mayor and the police board about some of the acts at some of the small vaudeville houses. Pictures in some of the picture machine establishments have also been the cause of complaint.

Mr. Meservey was instructed to prepare an amendment to the license ordinance. The ordinance will follow the police board's method of treating saloons for violation of the Sunday closing law. A conviction in police court will carry with it a revocation of the license. The ordinance will provide that the license for a theater or picture show shall obligate the holder to conform to provisions of the license ordinance, prohibiting immoral or obscene acts or exhibitions. When complaint is filed with the city attorney and prosecution started the police judge really becomes the censor. He passes on the evidence and when he decrees a fine it will carry with it a revocation of the license. The ordinance will be introduced by Alderman Young.

Labels: arts, Mayor Beardsley, police board

November 15, 1907

TO STOP SALOON MURDERS.

The Police Board is to Investigate Con-

ditions That Are Alarming.

Mayor Beardsley received from the police department yesterday a list of the shooting and stabbing affrays in saloons since August 1. This line of investigation was prompted by the frequency of saloon murders.

"I cannot say what action will be taken until the list is taken up and considered by the police board," the mayor said. "We must do something about it."

The killing of Danile O'Keefe by Charles Merlino in Merlino's saloon at Fifth street and Grand avenue, November 5, was the seventh saloon murder in ninety days.

Labels: Fifth street, Grand avenue, Mayor Beardsley, murder, police board, saloon

October 12, 1907

NEGROES WANT OLD HOSPITAL.

Are Afraid No Arrangements Will Be

Made for Them Now.

Kansas City negro physicians are again agitating to a slight extent the old proposition to have the present hospital building made into a separate department for negroes, with negro physicians and nurses in charge. Notwithstanding the agreement realized some months ago by a committee composed of Drs. T. C. Unthank, J. E. Perry, J. E. Dibbs, J. S. Shannon and J. N. Birch, representing the Negro Medical Society of Kansas City, and Aldermen Young, Eaton, Greene, Woolf and Mayor Beardsley, city council hospital committee, the negro doctors are somewhat dissatisfied and may ask that the council reopen the matter.

By the terms of this agreement a negro ward is to be established in the new general hospital with internes and nurses of that race. Here, it was promised, the negro physicians might take their patients and hold suitable clinics, with quarters ample for all their needs.

There is a well defined suspicion among the negro doctors that in the bustle of rearrangements this agreement will be forgotten.

"So far as we know," said Dr. Untank last night, "the promise of the council committee will be kept. But we have not observed any very marked degree of activity towards carrying it out, and many of us are inclined to believe we shall be left holding the bag when the readjustment is made. Just now if one of us has the amputation of a finger to perform, he must take his patient across the line to Kansas City, Kas. Naturally we are very much worried as to what will be done for us hereafter in this matter. We can not see even yet any real reason why we should not be given the old hospital as we asked at first.

"At least 90 per cent of the negro cases in Kansas City are handled by negro physicians. We have no clinical facilities whatever, and but few facilities for taking care of those of our race who may be in need of suitable hospital care -- at least for those of the 90 per cent we have under our charge. We shall be satisfied if we are given the quarters at the new building we were promised. I am sure, however, another attempt will be made to secure the old building for our purpose."

A number of councilmen who were asked about the matter evaded the question yesterday, declaring they had too many present problems to worry them to bother about this until it became necessary. It is generally believed that the new building will be ready for occupancy in January or February.

Labels: doctors, Dr Unthank, health, hospitals, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, nurses, race

October 5, 1907

SALOONS MUST DRAW BLINDS.

Chief Ahern Orders Patrolmen to

Take Names of Violators.

Chief of Police Ahern was yesterday ordered by the police board to at once prepare a statement showing the name and location of every saloon in the city where the blinds are not drawn while the lid is on. Patrolmen, Chief Ahern said, will get this data tomorrow. Included in the instructions to the chief were orders to have all blinds drawn so any passerby may see the entire bar and other fixtures of any saloon.

The hours specified by the board are from midnight Saturday night to midnight Sunday night, and from 1 o'clock until 5 o'clock every morning. This order has been made by the police before, but complaints have been received by the commissioners that the order was not respected by some saloonists. Chief Ahern is now given authority by the board to forcibly discipline these places. The order was suggested by Mayor Beardsley.

Labels: Mayor Beardsley, police board, Police Chief Ahern, saloon

October 3, 1907

FREE FRANKFURTERS, BOYS.

To Be Served With Speeches at Open-

ing of the Boys' Club.

All boys who like Red Hot Coney Island Frankfurters are invited to the grand opening of the Kansas City Boys' Club, Eighteenth street and College avenue, tomorrow night. Admission will be free to any boy in Kansas City, but a ticket must be secured from one of the boys who is a member of the club.

The library and game rooms will be thrown open for use Friday night. There will be speeches by Mayor H. M. Beardsley, the Rev. Daniel McGurk, Professor J. M. Greenwood and other friends of the boys.

Labels: children, College avenue, Eighteenth street, libraries, Mayor Beardsley, Superintendent Greenwood

August 27, 1907

TAFT HERE TODAY.

WAR SECRETARY TO ARRIVE

FROM OLATHE AT 5:32 P. M.

PLANS OF ENTERTAINMENT.

NO SPEECHES TO BE MADE DUR-
ING HIS BRIEF STAY HERE.

He Will Be Taken for a Drive Over

the Boulevards -- Public Recep-

tion to Be Held at the Ho-

tel Baltimore in the

Evening.

Secretary of War Taft will arrive in Kansas City at 5:32 o'clock this afternoon over the Frisco from Olathe, Kas. He will be met at Olathe by Mayor Beardsley, E. L. Winn, T. R. Marks, W. C. Michaels, R. B. Middlebrook and J. A. Harzfeld. In the party will also be Senator Warner, who ment with the secretary at Springfield yesterday.

The secretary will make no speeches while in Kansas City. A public reception will be held in the parlors of the Baltimore hotel at 8:30 o'clock tonight.

The general reception committee will go to the depot in twelve automobiles, graciously loaned by private citizens. These will meet at the Grand avenue entrance to the Midland hotel at 4:45 o'clock this afternon, starting for the depot at 5:15. The secretary wil be taken for a drive over the boulevards and then to the Baltimore for dinner. Breakfast will be served in the secretary's room tomorrow morning. He will tehn be entertained by R. B. Middleton, a member of the reception committee and a classmate of Taft's.

William Clough and W. B. C. Brown will have charge of the automobiles to be used for the boulevards drive.

Labels: automobiles, Frisco, Grand avenue, Hotel Baltimore, hotels, Mayor Beardsley, Midland, visitors

August 14, 1907

BENEVOLENCE THEIR OBJECT.

Convention of United Brotherhood of

Friendship in Progress.

Mayor Beardsley yesterday at the Second Baptist church, Tenth and Charlotte streets, addressed the delegates to the convention of hte United Brotherhood of Friendship, a negro oranization. An orphans' home is supported at Hannibal, Mo., at a cost per annum of only 20 cents per member. An additional modern fourteen-room building at the home is soon to be erected at a cost of $5,000. Altogether $24,000 has been spent by the order in the state for benevolent purposes in the past year. Officers will be elected tomorrow.

S. B. Howard, a resident of Independence, is said to be in line for election as grand master. Friday at noon there is to be a parade through the downtown streets, and in the afternoon an indoor picnic at Convention hall.

Labels: Charlotte street, Convention Hall, Mayor Beardsley, parades, picnics, race, Tenth street

August 13, 1907

ANDERSON IS OUT.

SUCCEEDED AT THE WORKHOUSE

BY J. L. M'CRACKEN.

CONFIRMED BY THE COUNCIL.

NEW MAN HAS HAD EXPERI-
ENCE IN FEDERAL PRISON.

Was the Choice of Mayor Beardsley,
but Was Objected To by Politi-
cians -- They Had Other
Candidates to Fill
the Place.

J. L. McCracken becomes the superintendent of the city workhouse this morning, having been confirmed by the upper house of the council last night. This displaces Cash C. Anderson, who was appointed last by Mayor Neff, but who had been the superintendent under a previous mayor. Anderson is one of hte best known Republican ward politicians in the city. McCracken, his successor, has not been long enough in the state to register to vote. Mayor Beardsley nominated him on the strength of his seven years' record in Guthrie, O. T., as keeper of the federal jail there, and the indorsements which were given by Governor Frantz, United States District Attorney Speed and almost every other public official in the territory.

The vote on McCracken was unanimous. McCracken, with a brother-in-law, had managed the Hotel Densmore, Alderman Thompson's property, a year ago. He admitted that he had been in Kansas City only about two years, having arrived too late to register for the last election, but, he said, while he knew little about politics, he knew all about workhouses and jails. Alderman Thompson went to the mayor with the man and his credentials and the application was considered. That night the supreme judge of Oklahoma and all the federal officials there were asked to wire the mayor. While delegations from the Tenth ward and the Tigers were buttonholing the mayor to allow them to name the new man, Oklahoma politicians were telegraphing. The end was the mayor decided to take the workhouse out of local politics and gave it to the Oklahoma man.

"He will make a good superintendent," said Alderman Thompson last night. "He is a disciplinarian without being a martinet. His first work will be to separate the classes, which will be worth employing him. McCracken can tell a criminal from a casual in a day. He makes a reformatory of his jails. The poor fellow who is in jail for his first offense, or by accident or misfortune, will not be worked with regular offenders. He always earns the confidence and respect of his prisoners and at the same time he gets a maximum of work out of them. He will be found to be the proper man for the place."

Ex-Superintendent Anderson's resignation was called for by Mayor Beardsley, it being reported to him that Anderson had worked four city prisones on a ho use he is building. Anderson's plea was that a strike among some laborers had left his building exposed, and, having four idle prisoners, he had sent them out to work on the place.

Labels: hotels, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, Mayor Neff, oklahoma, Tenth Ward, workhouse