The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-24
Council Committee, with James w.
Noel as Attorney, Holds First Ses-
sion in Police Court Room.
MR.. BENNINGTON UNDER FIRE
ADMITS COMBINATION CONTROLLED
SPRINKLING FOR YEARS.
Statement Concerning Payment OF
Money to Democratic Campaign
Fund-Some Interesting Facts.

The investigation of the city sprinkling
and sweeping contracts along the lines Of
the published charges of five contractors
that per cent. of the sprinkling fund was
required for campaign purposes was begun
in the Police Court room last night The
committee, Councilmen Wynne. Expert and
Shea, occupied the platform of Judge Whal-
lon and the attorneys and interested per-
sons were grouped about much as in court
trial.
The only witness examined was Frank
Remington, the present contractor for
sprinkling whose name was used in the
charges of the other five contractors. At
II o'clock Attorney j. w. Noel. who is pros
ecuting the charges under appointment of
the committee had not carried his exam
ination further than 1902. The important
testimony of Remington was that he had
paid Albert Sahm and Charles Mcguire $3.50
in cash as the contribution of the sprink-
ling contractors to the Taggart campaign
fund. He testified they were members Of
the Board of Public Works and that he
knew it. He said the money was paid at
the Democratic headquarters in the Steven
son building.
This portion of his testimony was recog-
nized as obviously wrong, as Mr.. Sahm did
not become a member of the board until
January, lSc0 and Mr.. Mcguire succeeded
Mr. Tanning when he retired several
months later. Mr.. Noers examination, how
ever was thorough in establishing 1t as the
campaign of 1859.
SPRINKLING COMBINATION.
Attorney Noel, in the examination Of
Remington, used the witnesses eight years
continuous interest in the public contract to
bring out the existence of sprinkling COM
bination which had ultimately succeeded
in debating prices to the city.
Edwin d. Logsdon, chairman of the Re-
publican city committee and member Of
the Board Of Public Works. who Is charged
by the contractors with having authorized
Remington to demand 10 per cent of the
payments from the sprinkling fund for
campaign purposes, was represented by w.
A. Ketcham and F. E. Matson. John s.
Duncan and F. .. Carson represented some
of the contractors whose charges have
made them parties to the libel suit insti-
tuted by Logsdon against the Indianapolis
News. Attorneys representing the Citizens
League and the News were not present
Before the session began Mr.. Logsdon
complained to Chairman Wynne that no
notice had been sent to him that the inves-
tigation would be taken up. He said he felt
IL he was to be tried he ought to at least be
asked to be present He also complained
that the committee had been in private
conferences with Attorney Noel, who was
really a prosecuting attorney. He said the
committee should not be judge and prose-
cutor together, but should allow the attor-
ney to present his case openly. Mr.. wynee
said the committee had not intended any
unfairness and that the consultation with
Mr. Noel was not for the purpose of in
structing him what to do. Mr.. Wynne said
Mt. Logsdon would be treated with all fair
ness and Mr.. Expert and Mr.. Shea said the
same. Mr.. Logsdon. however, thought he
had not been well treated
SEPARATION OF WITNESSES.
At the outset of the investigation Mr..
Ketcham asked for the separation of wit
nesses. Mr.. Noel said he would not be