The Topeka state journal. [volume], April 02, 1913, LAST EDITION, Image 1

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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LAST EDITION.
WEDNESDAY EVENING-
TOPEKA, KANSAS- APRIL 2, 1913-
WEDNESDAY EVENING-
On aala by newsboys at TWO CENTS
On trains and newsstands FIVE CENTS
COFRAN IS ELECTED MAYOR OF TOPEKA
He Defeated Billard by 31a
Jority of 1,298.
Stotts and Miller, Rest of Big
Three, Went Down.
TANDY AND BONE REMAIN
To Represent Old Government
at City Hall.
The
Vote Polled Was Oyer
14,000.
THE WEST SIDE PRECINCTS
They Went Strong for Cofran,
Especially in Third Ward.
Cofran Vote in First and Second-Heavier
Than Expected.
Results of Election.
FOR MAYOR.
Cofran 7 966
Billard 6.6-S
Cofran's majority 1,298
COMMISSIONER FINANCE.
Bone 1M"
Pope S.
Bone's majority 8,500
COMMISSIONER W TER.
Newland 8.126
Miller 6 -"s
Newland's majority 1,920
COMMISSIONER STREETS.
Tandy 8.225
Adamson 5,75'
Tandy's majority
COMMISSIONER PARKS.
Porter
Stotts
.46S
7.653
6.558
Porter's majority 1095
SCHOOL. BOARD.
Van Horn 9.334
Jones 9.024
Griggs 8.27
Scott 5.250
Bostic 3.271
The short but sensational political
career of J. B. Billard came to an
abrupt end when the official returns
of the city election today showed that
that mayor was defeated for re-elec-
Frank M. Newland, Elected Water
Commissioner Over Pete Miller.
tlon by R. L. Cofran and 1.298 votes.
Mayor Billard carried down to defeat
with him, Commissioners E. B. Stotts
and H. P. Miller both running for re
election. William L. Porter defeated
Stotts by a margin of 1,095 votes and
Frank M. Newland won from Miller
with a lead of 1,920 ballots. W. G.
Tandy and Roy L. Bone were re
elected as members of the commission
by big votes and Dr. C. B. Van Horn,
L. M. Jones and P. W. Griggs were
piven the three places on the school
board.
Billard Made Gains.
Billard made gains in every ward in
the city over the primary vote but
more consistent and substantial gains
lloj Bone. Re-elected Commissioner of
finance by a .Large Majority.
- :
, , ,
j 1
IS
It. L. Cofran, Elected Mayor
I were made by Cofran and a lead ob-
tained early in the evening by the suc
i cessful candidate kept him toward the
! front until the final precinct reports
were in. Only 855 more persons voted
at the election yesterday than went to
the polls at the primary. Billard failed
to win h predicted outstanding vote
and the majority of more than 1,200
gained by the Cofran supporters came
as a surprise to Billard.
To the large part of the voters of
the city the election was no surprise.
The bitter campaign that has been
brought to bear on Billard, Miller and
Stotts took the former city political
favorites off their feet and made it im
possible for them to regain their
strength. The Miller outlook was hope
less to the water commissioner early
in the evening. Billard soon was
lacked into the second column and
Stotts followed, receiving a larger sup
port than the other two defeated as
sociates. Support Shattered by Cofran.
The defeat of Billard was due to his
support being shattered by Cofran, who
polled many of his votes and captured
many of his supporters. The determi
nation of citizens of Topeka to wipe
out the, constant "wet" and "dry"
squabble 1 y eliminating a man who
does not believe in the prohibitory law
was the feature which contributed to
the mayor's downfall.
The defeat of Miller is due to the W. I. Porter, the New Park Commis
popular and able opponent living in j sioner.
his stronghold and purloining hundreds I c;econj Ward
of votes that normally have been cast
for him in past elections. Miller's de
lay in lowering the water rates and
refunding deposits also hurt his cause.
Stotts worked had to build up the
park system and when only one
term completed, it was believed that
Stotts would win, at least by a narrow
margin. He w-as classed in what has
been known at the city hall as the
"Big Three," however, and the votes
cast against Billard and Miller were
thrown against him.
Highest Vote for Bone.
The re-election of Commissioners
Bone and Tandy was settled at the pri
mary. The unexpected strength of
Adamson in procuring 5.757 votes in op
position to Tandy was the only sur
prise of this result. Bone polled the
highest vote ever given to one man in
a city election in Topeka. More votes
were cast for Bone than the entire bal
lot in Wichita. His majority and his
total vote broke all records in Topeka.
The women were defeated in the
school board contest. Van Horn.
Jones and Griggs were re-elected by
comfortable majorities and Mrs. Bostic
and Mrs. Scott did not come within
speaking distance of election. Mrs.
Scott's nearest approach was 3,000
votes within the lowest man on the
ticket Griggs.
All the candidates made gains over
their primary showing. The losers,
however, did not pick up the strength
acquired by the winners in the closing
hours of the campaign.
Light Vote a Surprise.
The vote at the election was the
big surprise of the day. Only 866
more persons voted than at the pri
maries. This despite the fact that
only one precinct fell below the pri
mary vote the first of the Third
ward. The morning vote coming in
nearly twice as quickly as the morn
ing vote of the primaries is the reason
for the wild predictions of from 15,000
to 16.500 votes.
Not an official at the city hall, not
a judge at the polls yesterday would
guess less than 15.000 votes. Ideal I
weather and the efforts of the women
to poll a big vote ripened conditions
for a record breaking ballot. The in
terest lagged late in the afternoon, j
however, and in the evening hours
When the vote normally is Iveavy, the
Judges and clerks rested comfortably j
in their seats.
A complete tabulation of the vote by
precincts on page two.
Weather Forecast for Kansas
Cloudy tonight and Thursday; warm- i
er tonight,
of Topeka by 1,298 Majority.
Primary and Flection Vote Compared,
First Ward Primary. Election.
First precinct 224 242
Second precinct 392 440
Third precinct 442 496
Fourth precinct 391 424
Total 1449
1602
First precinct 417
Second precinct 489
Third precinct 468
Fourth precinct 710
Fifth precinct 512
Sixth precinct 539
Total 3125
Third Ward
First precinct 592
Second precinct 611
Third precinct 767
Fourth precinct 849
Total 2819
Fourth Ward
First precinct 437
Second precinct 464
Third precinct 510
Fourth precinct 852
Total 2263
Fifth Ward
First precinct 963
Second precinct 1037
Third precinct 350
Total 2350
Sixth Ward
First precinct 719
Second precinct 884
438
523
476
767
548
587
3339
496
641
837
917
2891
457
522
562
900
2441
1051
1192
398
2641
793
957
1750
Total
Grand total primary
1603
...13809
Grand total election 14664
Gain election
w. ti. Tandy. Re-elected Commissioner
of Streets.
855
violate THE law
Investigation Embroils Many
Judges and Other Officials.
Wholesale Violation of Anti
Pass Law Is Disclosed.
MANY OFFICIALS INVOLVED
Judges Make Personal Requests
for Favor From Railroads.
Expressions Made of Their Ob
ligations to Corporations.
Washington, April 2. The investiga
tion by Commissioner Harlan,- of the
interstate commerce commission, into
the practice of Colorado railroads of
giving free transportation has brought
sensational results. Criminal indict
ments of large shippers and the offend
ing carriers have been returned. Com
missioner Harlan personally conducted
an investigation and in his own char
acterization, "he developed violations
of the law on an extraordinary scale."
Mr. Harlan says in a preliminary re
port, handed down today, that "in one
month over a single railroad. 7,000 trips
were made on passes. Not only ship
pers who controlled routing of traffic
in any appreciable quantity were fav
ored at all times, but even public of
ficials, careless alike of duty, morals
and danger, even demanded these fav
ors of the carriers.
"The record shows that judges, state
officials, members of the legislature,
county and municipal officers, includ
ing mayors and aldermen, hav very
generally made use of passes. Not only
has this been the case, but the record
shows that where passes were not vol
unteered they were asked for by public
officials. Even judges have not hesi
tated to pursue this course. Personal
requests by judges upon carriers for
passes are disclosed by the record, ac
companied by expressions of their
sense of obligation for such favors
granted to them both before and after
they went on the bench."
FALL OF FORTS
Montenegrin Army Captures
Positions Before Scutari.
Reported That City Is in Midst
of Conflagration.
Vienna. April 2. The Montenegrin
army besieging the fortress of Scutari
today captured five of the forts defend
ing Tarabosch. The fall of two others
is expected at any hour, according to
a dispatch from Cettinje.
The correspondent says that Scutari
is burning in several places.
The bombardment of Scutari is re
ported to have ceased today as the
Montenegrin besiegers are awaiting the
arrival of reinforcements.
Naval Demonstration.
Lopdon, April 2. Sir Edward Grey,
the British foreign secretary, inform
ed the house of commons today that
rf iHuiiLent'giu nau resumed uie aitacK.
on Scutari contrary to the will of the
European powers, the latter had de
cided to proceed with the naval dem
onstration of the coast. Two British
warships he said, were ready to parti
cipate. France Will Participate.
Paris, April 2. The French govern
ment to day decided to take part in na
val demonstration on the Montenegrin
coast. Action will be taken, however,
only after Russia has given her de
finite approval and has asked France
to represent her. The decision of the
French government has been com
municated to Russia.
JUNE AND MARCH.
They Join Forces to Make and Mar the
Day.
June temperatures and a March
brand of wind prevail today. And by
the way, this is the hottest day thus
far this season, the temperatures aver
aging twenty-three degrees above nor
mal for this date.
At two o'clock the wind was blowing
at the rate of twenty-six miles an
hour from the southwest. The maxi
mum velocity reached was forty miles
an hour at ten o'clock.
The forecast indicates that the
weather will be mostly cloudy tonight
and Thursday with lower tempera
tures Thursday. There was a sprinkle
this morning, but not enough mois
ture to measure. A light shower fell
at Concordia Tuesday.
The hourly readings:
7 o'clock 62 I 11 o'clock 73
8 o'clock 66 I 12 o'clock 74
9 o'clock 68 1 o'clock 79
10 o'clock 70 2 o'clock 80
Windmill Fxperiments
Syracuse, Kan., April 2. An ex
haustive experiment has just been
completed here showing the value of
windmill irrigation of truck farms in
this section. A mill in this city was
operated 27 consecutive days during
March. An accurate record shows it
was idle but a few hours. During the
run 144.220 gallons had been pumped,
making an average of 5,341 gallons
per day, 223 per hour and 3 2-3 per
minute. Experts believe that this sup
ply used to supplement natural rain
fall and properly stored in a reservoir,
would irrigate more ground than one
man could work.
Morgan Funeral Arranged.
New York, April 2. Funeral ser
vices over the body of J. Pierpont Mor
gan will be held in this city at St.
George Protestant Episcopal church.
Interment will be in Cedar Hill ceme
tery, Hartford, Conn., Mr. Morgan's
birthplace. This announcement was
made this afternoon by Henry P. Davison.
CITY HALL CHANGE
Shakeup Will Follow the New
Administration.
New Commissioners Will Clean
City Slate.
WILMARTH TO HOLD OVER
Cofran Makes His First An
nouncement Today.
Tim Donovan "Doped" as Next
Chief of Police.
A general shakeup In the depart
ments to be abandoned by the defeat
ed city commissioners in the Tuesday
election, is the political slate at the
city hall. Three commissioners, in
cluding a mayor, will take charge of
the departments now handled by Mayor
Billard and Commissioners Stotts and
Miller. With the new administration
will come new department employees
and new heads of the divisions.
The first announcement of contem
plated appointment was made this
morning when R. L. Cofran stated that
Chief Wilmarth, of the fire depart
ment, would retain his position and
the entire fire company lists would re
main intact.
"I am well satisfied that Topeka has
the best fire department in its his
tory," explained Mr. Cofran. "I see
no reason for a change in its man
agement. I believe it should not be
disturbed. The civil service was placed
in this work when I was mayor 20
years ago and since that time the fire
fighting forces have been kept out of
politics they shall remain so as far
as I am concerned."
PoUee Department Rumors.
The campaign was based in some de
gree on the reorganization of the po
lice department and the action taken
by R. L. Cofran. newly elected mayor,
will be watched with interest by the
7,900 voters who placed him in office
and by the city as a whole. This
! morning Cofran would make no an
j nouncements. In fact he denied that
he had chosen a chief of police in his
own mind.
The city politicians are buzzing to
day and their buzzes dope out the
following named men as in line for
the police appointment:
R. W. Eaton, Tim Donovan, Frank
Stahl. J. W. F. Hughes, W. S. Fulton,
The first three named are doped to
stand the best chance of receiving or
accepting the position. Stahl and Ea
ton have served In this capacity and
have been ardent supporters of Cofran
in the recent campaign. Donovan is
a Democratic leader In Topeka and
has been experienced in criminal and
court work. He is looked upon as the
probable winner. The Hughes-Fulton-Longshore
rumors are floating but
have been given little credence.
It was rumored around the city hall
this afternoon that the real combina
tion of police appointments is the
naming of Hughes as chief of police
and E. L. O'Neil as judge of the police
court. Hughes and O'Neil ran for
mayor against Billard and Cofran.
Later they came out in support of Cof
ran. John Euler, another hard worker
for Cofran, is said to have been of
fered the judgeship of the police court.
Bailey May Succeed Rciniscb.
Luther C. Bailey, a Topeka insurance
man, who at one time was a supporter
of Stotts but deserted him on account
of Stotts' refusal to build a cement
curb and gutter along the east boundary
of Gage park, is "doped" to succeed
E. F. A. Reinisch as superintendent of
parks. Bailey is known to have the
support of others besides Porter on the
new commission.
Although Reinisch is not "doomed,"
politically speaking, the rumors have
it that Porter has a new man in view.
Topeka will lose in Reinisch, a veteran
landscape architect, a man well known
throughout the west and the real
builder of the Topeka park system.
There is a possibility that pressure
will be brought to bear on Porter to
keep Reinisch as the head of the parks.
Porter has the direct appointment,
also, of the superintendent of the cre
matory, the sanitary sergeant, and
other minor employees in connection
with these two departments. It is pre
dicted that he will begin his adminis
tration with a new set of faces all
through his departments.
Hard Fight on O'Neil.
With the defeat of Commissioner
Miller it is not probable that George
O'Neil. superintendent of the electric
light plant, will remain at the head of
this city institution. Although New
land will make no promises or an
nouncements, it is known that O'Neil is
slated among those who will follow the
exit of the old administration. Fred
Painter, second engineer at the plant,
it is stated, will be appointed superin
tendent to succeed O'Neil.
Newland may retain Jesse Shaw,
superintendent of the waterworks
and Frank Stevens, assistant superin
tendent. Both have been identified
with the department for years they
are acquainted with every inch of
main owned and operated by the city.
A strong opposition against Com
missioner Miller was worked up in the
Second ward because he refused to
listen to a request to find a man to fill
Shaw's place. It is known that per
sons went to Newland asking that
Shaw be discharged in case he was
elected. But Newland would make
no promises.
The departments under Commis
sioners Tandy and Bone will be left
untouched by the change in forces at
the city hall. Commissioner Tandy
may decide to appoint a new street
commissioner it has been known for
some time that a change may be made
in this office. But the force of City
Engineer Young.Assistant City Engin
eer Gibson and Office Engineer Fort
er will hold up its organization. It
is probable, too, that a place may be
made by W. S. Fulton, who has been
campaign manager of Cofran and was
formerly city engineer.
John Wright, city treasurer, un
doubtedly will resign shortly. His suc
cessor has not been anticipated. For
some time he has been planning to
enter the office of Oscar Swayze,
county clerk.
C. B. Burge. city clerk, W. C. Ral
ston, city attorney, W. C. Wasson, city
auditor and others are scheduled to
retain their places. These appoint
ments will be ironed out by the entire
commission and with a new majority
force in power it is possible that a
clean sweep will be made of the city
hall.
Sworn in Office Friday
The new city officers are sworn in
office Friday immediately after the
old commission completes the can
vassing of the returns. Before the end
of next week in all probability the ap
pointments will be announced and
confirmed.
HE WS0RE
Mayor Billard in Best of Spirits
Today.
Defeated Commissioners Dis
cuss Tuesday's Disaster.
In a characteristic statement today
Mayor Billard gave his vievs on his
defeat at the hands of Cofran. In the
best of spirits he entertained visitors
at his office in the city hall this morn
ing, apparently bearing no "political
injuries" following his disappointing
vote Tuesday.
"I wish to thank my kind friends
for their earnest support In my be
half," he said. "I regret my defeat
not only for my own sake but for the
sake of the friends who conducted my
campaign and constituted my support.
And I regret the fact that the fight
was won by misrepresentation and
slander- a feature that deceived many
voters. I deplore also the unfounded
charges made against the police de
partment. Topeka never has employ
ed a more honest and efficient chief
of police a man who has performed
his duties without partiality. f am
sorry that the police matron should
suffer the criticism that was heaped
I upon her she is the best woman that
ever filled this position. She has been
an honest and active worker among
the unfortunate of the city.
"I hold no ill feeling toward my op
ponents. I believe that many of them
acted for what they thought was to
the best interests of the city. I wish
to thank them for relieving me of my
public duties and allowing me to re
tire once nr re as a private citizen
free and unhampered.
"I have done the best I could to
carry out the work of the office of
mayor and have concentrated all my
efforts toward what was best for To
peka. I have done all I could do to
make it a clean city a city of which
we are proud. I have done everything
in my power to elevate and advance
its interests.
"I leave this work with a clear con
science a feeling that I have done my
duty. My sincere wish is that my suc
cessor can do better than I have done
for the city of Topeka.
"I expect to spend the rest of my life
here. I will put forth every effort
as a private citizen to aid in boost
ing Topeka and her interests and the
advancement of her principles."
"And will you run for governor
again?" he was asked.
"No more political offices for me."
he answered with a laugh. "I am go
ing to settle down and be a private
citizen again."
Miller Has Little to Say.
Commissioner Miller would only re
peat the statement he made last night.
"I am licked," he said. "But I wish
to thank my friends the friends that
stood by me in this election."
Commissioner Miller has made no
plans for the future.
Pope Is Good Natured.
T. R. Pope, who was defeated by
Roy L. Bone by the largest majority
in the history of city politics, only
laughed.
"Last night about 10 o'clock I pre
dicted to Bone that I had lost the
fight by a little less than four million
votes," he said. "I see by the re
turns this morning that 1 was correct."
Stotts Tells the Facts.
"The result of the election was not
a great surprise to me as far as my
own case is concerned," said Commis
sioner E. B. Stotts, "for I have dared
to run my departments all the time
just as I felt that they should be han
dled. I have no apologies to make.
There is not a blot on my record. In
doing this it was necessary for me to
make enemies of a number of people
who are reckoned as powerful po
litical workers.
"I am deeply interested in Topeka
parks and I trust that the work which
has been fairly started under Superin
tendent Reinisch and which has made
such marked progress during the past
year will be carried on. To the thous
ands of friends who supported me I
am deeply grateful and I want to
sure them that the result will be sur
vived."
It is rumored today that Governor
Hodges will tender a position to Com
missioner Stotts. Stotts is a Democrat
and worked hard for Hodges after the
primaries last year. He is a young
man, young in politics but old in ex
perience and undoubtedly will advance
in political life.
CHIEF WILL RESIGN.
Morris Jenkins Will Soon Leave for
Oregon for Vacation.
Chief of Police Morris C. Jenkins will
resign his position before Mayor J. B.
Billard retires from office. He will not
be an applicant for a reappointment under
the new administration. Following his
resignation he will go to Portland, Ore.,
to spend the summer with his oldest son.
Chief Jenkins haw served on the Topeka
police force for many years and has
made many friends who point to him as
a brave, cool-headed official. He has
taken several desperate criminals with his
hands, risking death in the act each time.
To Reorganize Kailtoads.
Washington, April 2. Reorganization
of the Harriman railroads on a legal
basis, in compliance with the dissolu
tion order of the United States su
preme court was discussed By Chair
man Lovett, of the Harriman system
with Attorney General McReynolds in
the latteris office. Mr. McReynolds
said later that he did not know whether
a new plan of "unscrambling the eggs"
would be perfected by Mr. Lovett. He
declared that they merely talked over
the general features of the situation
confronting the roads.
SITUATION GRAVE
Disquieting News of Excesses
Committed in Balkans.
Servian and Montenegrin
Troops Accused of Offenses.
DIPLOMATS ARE PERTURBED
Fear Break in Peaceable Con
ditions Among the Powers.
Montenegrins Capture For
tresses Before Scutari.
London, April 2. Disquieting news
has reached here of grave excesses
committed by the Servian and Mon
tenegrin troops in Albania.
Altogether the situation In regard
to the Balkans Is such that diplo
mats are greatly perturbed lest the
veneer of peaceability at present bind
ing the powers should crack.
ISSUE IS DECIDED
Government Decides to Recog
nize the Chinese Republic.
Secretary of State Bryan in
Conference With President.
Washington, April 2. The United
States government has decided to
recognize the Chinese republic. Sec
retary Bryan conferred with President
Wilson today, completing the details.
0HI0"lSlALUNG
Cessation in Floods Recorded
at Cincinnati.
Hopeful Outlook Comes Forth
in Flooded Districts.
Cincinnati, April 2. After remain
ing stationary nearly 24 hours the
Ohio river began falling here today.
The Indications are that it will con
tinue to fall slowly and that the end
of the flood is in sight.
Cairo, 111., April 2. Cairo today had
a little respite from its flood scare.
The Ohio waters were at a standstill
from midnight. The reading at that
hour was 54 and the gauge showed
a little less at 7 o'clock today. Th
relief, however, will only be tempor
ary, it is said as engineers give as the
cause the passing of the crest in the
Wabash high water. The crest of the
Ohio river flood waters is still to come.
Another cause for the standstill of the
river gauge was the fact that a vast
volume of water had been diverted to
the lowlands of the drainage district.
It was reported the water In that
section was flowing over the Big Four
tracks for a distance of three-fourths
of a mile.
Officials responsible for the rein
forcement of the levees did not allow
work to abate, even though the rise
had stopped. Regular train service Into
the city was not resumed today. Only
work trains came in. The sand hauled
on these was rapidly placed on the
levees by a big force of workmen.
Conditions in the drainage section
were at a standstill. All business, was
abandoned and It was said by mid
night the great area would be under
at least 12 feet of water.
Cairo. April 2. Forecaster LJndley
said today that the situation appear
ed more cheerful and that the high
water stage had been relieved con
siderably by small breaks In levees
down stream. The weather is fair and
warm and the work of reinforcing the
levees still is proceeding with vim.
The crest in the Ohio river was re
ported to be in the vicinity of Evans
ville and there may be a decided drop
before the high water arrives.
Traffic Tied Up.
The tieup of railroad traffic and mail
into or from this city now is com
plete and Cairo is completely cut off
from the outside world. In case of
a break in the levee here the only
means of escape the Inhabitants would
have would be by boat. With these
conditions facing the people, the supply
of food becomes a question. Food con
ditions up to date have been good but
if the tieup continues for two days,
the conditions would be greatly chang
ed. No suffering has been reported
and the emergency hospital, which was
established on a wharf boat, thus far
has been idle. At noon the river stage
showed a light increase, the gauge
registering 54.1 feet.
The inundation of the drainage dis
trict north of Cairo now is complete.
The flood waters are on a level with
those in the Ohio river and are pre
vented from flooding into the Missis
sippi only by the Mobile and Ohio
levee. There are from seven thousand
to nine thousand acres from seven to
twenty feet under water.
The greater number of industrial
plants in the section are submerged
up to second story windows and many
houses are completely under water.
For more than a mile beyond the
Illinois Cntral tracks and for several
miles to the north from the big levee
surrounding the district from Cairo
there is nothing which is not touched
by the vast field of water.
Soldiers Guard laborers.
Springfield. 111., April 2. Lieuten
ant Colonel C. E. Ryan, Fourth infan
try, telephoned Adjutant General
Dickson from Cairo this afternoon it
was believed the levee would hold.
Soldiers are being used to guard la
borers at work on the levees.
Captain I audi- Dead.
St. Joseph, Mo., April 2. Captain
John Landis, Civil war veteran and
prominent in politics, is dead at hu
home here, aged 77.