The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-25
Committee, He Says, Once Considered
Employment of a Detective, and
Decided Against 1t.
IDENTITY OF SENTINEL MAN
CLAIMED THAT JACOB p. DUNN At
TENDED CONFERENCES.
Smiths Case VIII BE Called I'm Police
Court To-Day-Interest Turns to
Investigating Committee.


terest or discussed with more feeling yes
terday by those who read the Journal than
the account of the arrest of the man CIV
ing the name of "James Smith the
charge Of attempted bribery Of Edwin
d. Logsdon, of the Board Of Works. Most
OF the people who read the account were
ready to shake hands with Mr.. Logsdon
over his action in bringing about the ar
rest Of the man who sought to bribe him
with the evident intention of getting him
into a trap.
A great many people have come to the
conclusion that the prosecution of Mr..
Logsdon as member of the Board OF
Works has become persecution and yester-
day there was an overwhelming sentiment
on Mr.. Logsdon's side. People who were
content few weeks ago to allow the Coun-
Gil investigation to proceed In an apparent
ly fair and just way and were willing to
accept the finding of the committee, what
ever ii might be, are amazed at the methods
that seem to have been employed by some
of those seeking to bring to light alleged
official corruption. A leading member Of
the Good Citizens League makes the open
statement that the league itself would hold
in contempt such plan of procedure and
when it was mentioned to the members
some time ago he says the scheme was
rejected.
FROWNED UPON BY Mr.. DAY.
Thomas c. Day, member of the Good
Citizens League, made rather strong
statement last night in reference to the
alleged attempt to bribe Edwin d. Logsdon
of the Board of Public Works Being asked
what effect the arrest of the alleged st.
Louis detective on the charge Of attempted
bribery would have on the work of the
league he said:
$50 far as this man Is concerned do
not know who he is. The league has at
various times employed men to examine
records and make Investigations, but in no
instance has the league countenanced or
adopted any such course of procedure as
announced in this mornings Journal in it's
account of the arrest
1--WE have investigated the records that
men have made in official position but have
never thought 1t proper to enter on any
such course of procedure as appears to be
indicated by the Journals account. AS
to the inquiry before the Council commit
tee of Mr.. Logsdons record, the commit
tee cannot dismiss the proceedings. 1t did
not begin them and has never made any
charges against Mr.. Logsdon. 1t is the
settled determination on the part of the
committee to take it's own time and meth
cd to say what it has to say about any Off
cial."
In reply to a question as to whether any
one had suggested that detective be en-
| Day said: ''Some time ago a scheme some
/ n ic $oI 1,,<
was not received with favor by the COM
| mittee and was rejected"
| AS Mr.. Day indicates, there are many
| members of the Citizens League not in
sympathy with a fake telegram campaign
against public officials and there are men
who believe the instigators of the now
famous slot machine scheme will find them
| selves unhorsed In their own territory
SENTINEL MANS IDENTITY.
| After his arrest on Saturday, the 'man
that calls himself James Smith" told the
detectives that among the persons he had
been In consultation with since coming to
indianapolis was a representative of the
Sentinel. Smith did not know the mans 6
name, but described him and IL was under
| stood yesterday that Smith had in mind
Jacob p. Dunn. an editorial writer on that
| paper. He said the Sentinel representa-
tive figured in the conferences that were at
tended by James W. Noel. attorney for the
| Council committee that Is investigating the
sweeping and sprinking contracts; DR.
George E. Hunt, secretary of the Good Cit
| liens League; Earl Martin, formerly OF
| the News, and others.
Edwin d. Logsdon. when seen last night
| at his home. said there were no develop
| ments in the case so far as he was con-
cerned When the case comes up in Police
Court this morning, it is said continuance
| will be asked.
In view of the revelations of the pas,
| few days unusual interest attaches to the
meeting of the Council investigating com.
| mittee tomorrow night, when IL is antici-
! pated. fresh facts will be brought to light
John s. Duncan. attorney for the News be.
fore the investigating committee and also
! attorney for the man named Smith,
| promised in the statement he made Satur.
day for various interests. that there would
be something doing" in. Police Court to-
| day.
1t is understood that no matter what atti-
tude the committee may assume Mr.
| Logsdon will insist that the Investigation
| continue to the end.