The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-04
His Indictment in Connection With
the Theater Closing Deal Re-
garded as Probable.
Charged That He Was Paid for
) Closing Up Sodini's Two
Competitors.
sodini Himself Likely to Be Impli-
Gated Seriously by
$1,000 Check,

lSDGC-
ton of the workhouse and county farm,
the present grand jury has practically
completed it's work. From the character
OF the witnesses examined since the body
first ASSEM- bled it seems we'll assured that
careful Consideration has been given to
certain features Of the Ames administra-
ton. 1t need surprise no one If addi-
tional indictments are returned against
the d1scredtted mayor and several Of those
whose names have been prominently as
| ISOLATED with the municipal corruption
which three grand juries have now been
| instrumental in roofing out.
Through the revelations to it's prede-
cessors and through convictions of the
corruptionists already tried, the present
grand jury was able to command infor-
nation which puts it up to DR.. Ames
more directly than the evidence heard by
any Of the preceding bodies of investi-
gators. Those VINO were inclined to SYM
dictments have cited only 1915 CRAFTS
are likely to have their grounds for SYM
pathy removed by, one charge that the
fugitive mayor in one instance demanded
and received a bride of $1,000
This case involves J. c. Sodlni. the va
ricty divs-keeper, in addition to DR.. Arnes,
From evidence drawn out by the grand
jury, it appears that the mysterious clos
ing Of the Park and Standard variety the
aters by Ames was a move directly in
the interests Of Sodini engineered by him
to shut off competition with his own NAL
odorous Columbia. One grand jury wit.
mess, a man who stood closer to Ames
than any other Of his ,subordinates, gave
the details Of the transaction. While the
facts were new to many members Of the
grand jury t. has been generally under
stood for some time among those who
have watched Ames, that the deal was
worked in this way: Sodini is said to
have given his check for $1,000 to ,Ames'
intimate. who in turn Endorsed and cashed
it, turning the money over to the mayor.
In itself this evidence might mean no
more than. that: the $1,000 was paid over
to The subordinate, but he says he turned
it over to the doctor in the presence Of
witnesses who were available for grand
jury examination. .
Beside this, the subordinate after cash
ing the check, went to the man who had
drawn it ard secured the paper which had
come back from, the bank The voucher
was available for use by the investiga tors
in case they wished corrobora ton and in
addition there was the circumstantials eyi-
.dencet that the day following the alleged
payment to Ames,$ the Doctor paid up a
large insta11mefit on certain state lands
he had purchased near Fertile. Niinf. 3:
From the fact that Coffee John
.Fitchette2 E.. E.. Wheeleek and ~ Tom
Brown were all. examined by the grand
jury it ID believed that this case was fol-
lowed out and indictments for Ames and
Sodini are regarded as probable -
There is belief that the subsequent re-
opening of the Park theater was not with
cut suspicious features, but that. is ;tn-
other story. ..,,- ~..'
While If there another indictment pre-
pared for DR.. Ames. it may be held until
he can be reached, there is the other
hand a chance that it may not be kept
secret but may be used an additional
reason for. inducing him to return.
The work Of the grand jury will prob
ably be closed with a formal report next
week. It has finished all the corruption
cases that it was deemed advisable to take
up at this time though there still remain
some recommendations Of the preceding
body that have not been followed up. The
members of the grand jury were willing
to proceed till the end Of the term without
fees or expense allowance and the adj
visibility of so doing as submitted to the
court. Judge Elliott's advice was that if
the matters not yet considered could await
action by the next grand jury without
prejudice or danger to the community. it
was not only the right but the duty of
the present body to adjourn. Consequent
ly the final report will be submitted next
week.. '.,,- :!