PAGE EIGHT
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1943
Not Much Happening Police Give Student Ride On Routine Night Patrol
Editor's note: Lucille Kadel, a senior in journalism, rode with the police in a patrol car from about 9 to 12:30 one night last week to get this story.
Bv LUCILLE KADEL
"There's not much happening tonight. Afraid things will be pretty dull," Jack Cheek, Lawrence police officer, predicted as I stepped into police car number 12.
As soon as my eyes became accustomed to the night blackness in the car, I was surprised to see two guns, clipped above the doors, pointing in my direction, the back seat. The gun on
the left was an automatic rifle,
the one on the right a sawed-off shotgun, Ralph Hubbell,
driver of the car, told me.
Slow Down At Beer Signs
We drove, north down Massachusetts street, turned right, and slowed down at every 'Beer for sale' or 'Beer on tap' parlor.
"Not many in there tonight," or "There're only two at the bar," or "Some guy's playing the nickel machine," the officers would remark. Their eyes were keener or more trained than mine because all I could see through the half mist and snow and steaming plate windows was a blur.
Returning from the east side of town, the officers patrolled up Massachusetts to the north edge of the city limits. Car 12's patrol specifically included the district north of eighth street, but generally included any part of town.
Hubbell drove down the street. Steam covered the car windows. Cheek rubbed clear spots on the windshield, and the radio buzzed and growled like a dentist drill.
Down the alleys of the business section we went. Hubbell switched off the car lights, and Cheek snapped on the powerful flashlight, directing its light on the barred windows, back lots, and doors.
"Wait, back up." Cheek suggested. "I think that garage door was unlocked." An investigation was made, and the door was found locked.
As we came out of an alley, a man walked up the street towards us. The officers paused. "Well, guess he's sober tonight," one remarked.
Up and down more alleys. Suddenly Cheek snapped the phone, that resembled a French phone, from the dashboard. "Car 12—Reporting North street light in 800 block out —Did you get that, Johnnie?" Radio Doesn't Contact
The radio roared and buzzed."Car 12-Testing with headquarters." No answer. There was something wrong with the radio.
Hubbell swung the car west on Eighth street, and stopped across from the parks. Cheek jumped out of the car and disappeared. "What's he doing?" I asked.
"Turning on the park lights." Hubbell answered.
Later, in the residential section, one of the men spoke. "Do you see that?" (He wasn't talking to me but I looked and saw a taxi in front of a house.)
"He wouldn't be going out after his laundry in a taxi this time of night, would he?" the conversation continued.
"That car means only one thing." Evidently the officers knew whom they were discussing. Hubbell turned the car around, switched off the lights; but by the time we came back to the house, the taxi had started down the street. Hubb
bell turned on the car lights, increased the car's speed, and followed. I held my breath. In about the third block, Hubbell overtook the taxi, turned on the siren, and forced the taxi to the curb. Cheek jumped out.
"Joe." he addressed the driver, "you're going a little fast, better watch it."
"O K, thanks."
Cheek Confirms Suspicions
Cheek came back to car 12 and the taxi drove on. "They had it all right. Did you see him put it in his pocket? I would liked to have searched him, but then he could have tipped off the house and we wouldn't be able to raid it later." he explained.
We went past more beer parlors.
Not a drunk was on the sidewalk;
not a fight was in action. One of
the men apologized for the absence
of activity, and said that on Saturday
night they usually had to break
up about three fights in one place
From 10 to 11 o'clock was lunch hour. After lunch the men would be on duty until six in the morning.
Parked Car Is Spotted
While covering the town again, the officers spotted a parked car on a side street. Cheek flashed a light on it. A man and women moved in the car. "If there is no one in the car, we usually stop to investigate. The car might be abandoned," I was told, and then asked, "Did you ever have someone flash a light on you?"
About 11:30, when we were back
Three University student speakers came home with a share of the honors in the 11th annual forensic tournament at St. John's College at Winfield last weekend.
Three Speakers Win Top Honors
Bob Hutchinson, sophomore, won first in both the extemporaneous and impromptu speaking contests. Larry Miller, freshman, won first place in the oratorical declamation contest, second in the oratory contest, and third in impromptu speaking. Bill Conboy, freshman, was second best in extemporaneous speaking.
The tournament was excluded to junior college students and freshmen and sophomores in senior colleges. The schools competing, in addition to the University, were Southwestern college, Friends University, St. John's College, Independence Junior College, Sterling College, and Hutchinson Junior College.
on Massachusetts street, Hubbell pulled the car to the curb. Cheek produced some keys, left us, unlocked a box on the traffic light and switched the lights to yellow
The University debate team dropped out in the semi-finals of the debate tournament, which was won by Southwestern.
Later, Cheek noticed a car with a certain license plate. While he searched the car, the desk sergeant's voice came over the radio. The message was not distinct because of the interference, and the officers reported to the station. Someone had turned in a complaint. A woman was disturbing the neighbors. Must be disturbing.
Might Be Action At Five
"Stick around until five o'clock and you may see some action," was told. Five o'clock seemed a long time to "stick around," so I asked to be taken home.
"Well, the speeders weren't speeding, the bootleggers weren't boot-legging, and the drunks weren't drunk. Sorry it was such a dul evening," the officers apologized.
SUNDAY—5 Days RED SKELTON
Lt. Jack Nelson To Arrive Today for Short Furlough
Frances Gifford - Guinny Williams
1st Feature is a Mighty Flaming
Saga of the Winning of the
West
HAL ROACH presents
Jimmy ROGERS • Noah BEERY, Jr.
CALABOOSE
2nd Feature Is the Funniest Western Comedy in Months
The annual book prize by the government of France, awarded each year to the outstanding student in French in the sophomore class at the University by the department faculty, has been won this year by Miss Frances Ann Morrill, of Hiawatha, according to Dr. W. H. Shoemaker, chairman of the department of romance languages at the University.
Lieutenant Nelson has been assigned to special service in Lexington, Va. He was recently commissioned second Lieutenant at the infantry school at Ft. Benning, Ga.
In His Bost One Yet
"Whistling in Dixie"
Lt. Jack Nelson, a graduate in 1940, will arrive in Lawrence today for a short furlough.
France Awards Book To Frances Morrill
Lt. Nelson majored in dramatic at the University.
This year's prize was a volume on French Louisiana, entitled "Histoire Mervielleuse de la Louisiane Francaise," by Regine Hubert-Robert. The book carried an inscription indicating the Petain government as the donor, but Prof. Shoemaker assured the language club that neither the award by the department nor acceptance by Miss Morrill had any political significance. The prize was first offered by the French Government in 1939.
JAYHAWKER
NOW
Ends Saturday
GINGER ROGERS
CARY GRANT
ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON
PREVUE SHOWING
11:45 Saturday
AND
SUNDAY
For another record-breaking week
Basic Tax Laws May Be Changed
Topeka—(INS)—The Kansas Senate was at work today on proposed changes in the basic tax laws recommended by the Legislative Council some time ago.
The upper house expected to spend most of the day working on the important measures, one of which would change the entire system of local assessing and authorize and direct full-time assessors.
A bill receiving final approval of the Senate was one reducing the age limit of chauffeurs and bus drivers for the duration of the war. Another measure to receive final action in the Senate was a bill to give special school bus privileges to the county high schools of Wyandotte, Anderson, and Lyon counties.
The House judiciary committee killed the Malone bill which would give the legislators 15 cents a mile allowance whenever they made trips home.
The House is slated to open up tonight on the controversial pre-war time bill which would put Kansas clocks back on the old time basis.
Continuous Saturday from 2 p.m.
No Priorities on Music,
Love and Laughs
ANN MILLER
JERRY COLONNA
VERA VAGUE
In
"Priorities on Parade"
SUNDAY-4 Days Thrills That Come Once In a Lifetime And You'll Agree When You See
The Working Press Goes to Work on a Mob.
A Powerful Drama!
GLORIA DICKISON
GUY KIBBEE
Hit No. 2
"Power of the Press"
In
"Flying Tigers"
A Desperate Killer on Prowl in Cold River's Mansion of Mystery!
MARGAKET HAYS
JOHN ARCHER
No. 2
"Scattergood Survives Murder"