The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-19
ADMITS IT'S FALSEHOOD
THE NEWS FINALLY SENDS OUT RE-
PORTERS FOR ''INFORMATION."
An Editorial Apology for the Attack
COunciImen-Comme Made
by Some of the Members.

Nearly every morning members of the
City Council get together in the city hall
to talk over affairs of municipal interest.
More than the usual number was in the
courthouse basement yesterday morning.
Most of them came hoping to meet others
and exchange denunciatory opinions of the
scurrilous editorial regarding the street-car
passes printed in the News of the even
ing before. They were not disappointed
Among those who came down town were
Messrs. Dewar, Dudley, Montgomery. VOL
colt, Golfer and others. Before the day
was far advanced reporters of the News
were scurrying frantically over the city in
terviewing the men who had been so
grossly hbeled in the issue of the previous
day. Most of the reporters were received
with scant welcome.
why did you not come to see me before
publishing that article charging that all of
US councilmen had kept our passes?" asked
one councilman. II would have been glad
to give you information then. Now do not
know that l care to say anything at ALL
If it will do you any good to know, L will
say that sent my pass back. Good day."
Some of the councilmen spoke less cav
alierly to the reporters. realizing that they
were not responsible for what appeared on
the editorial page.
John g. Ohleyer, of the Fifteenth ward
who did what the News calls the star
act'-returned his pass and permitted that
paper to print a copy of his letter of de-
clination-joined the group of city fathers
in the basement for short time, but did
not remain long. Mr.. Ohleyer has been
blamed for the whole trouble by some of
his associates, who claim that if he had
not given his letter to the News the whole
would
Mr.. Ohleyer says he did not make his letter
of declinaton public until after he had seen
an article in the Journal on the morning of
May ~ stating that councilmen had re-
ceived passes.
After l saw that article in the Journal 1
thought it would be but right for me to
say that had sent back my pass, for one.
That is the reason | consented to the pub
LEGATION of the letter, said Mr.. Oheyer
yesterday. He seemed to feel deeply the
idea that his felow-councilmen should
blame him for what has occurred. He dis
claimed any desire for notoriety, and said
that he thought he was pursuing a proper
course.
Other members of the Council not quoted
in the Journal yesterday morning were
seen with regard to the disposition of the
passes that were sent to them by the
Citizens Street-railroad Company. Duncan
Dewar said that he was injured while
alighting from a street car long before he
was in the Council. The street-car COM
pany, as compromise, offered him a life
time pass. He says that when he received
a pass recently he returned 1t unused.
Frank S. Clark says that he receives passes
from many railroads on account of his
connection with the Big Four Railroad. 1t
is the custom among railroads to exchange
courtesies of this character. The street.
car company is included in the list of COM
panes of which he receives passes Mr..
Clark says that he received passes from
the street-car company before he became
identified with the Council. John O'Con-
nor, councilman at-large, is another men,
Der who has received passes from railroads
and other corporations in connection with
his private business connections. He says
he intends to use the pass sent to him
whenever he chooses.
like George r. Golfer, says that he did not
receive a pass, consequently had none to
return.
James II. Costello president of the Coun-
Gil; Thomas J. Montgomery, councilman-at-
large; George j. Dudley and Mahlon P.
Woody of the Fourth ward, all say that
they returned their passes quietly and
without seeking to make political capital
out of an act that they simply regarded as
a matter of duty.
O. M Murphy, of the First ward simply
said that he does not now own nor use
pass. J. r. Smith, of the Fourteenth ward,
on the contrary, has a pass given to him,
he says, by George Bruce, accident adj
ulster Of the street-car company, who is
one of his friends Mr. Smith says that it
pass he now holds is used up he will~use
another if he gets one. r. M. Madden still
holds the pass he received, but says that
he has not used it. Edward j. Sherer says
that he has not used the pass he received,
does A e. Rauch.