The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-10-10
East Chicago Attorney
Throws Down Gauntlet
Before Van Horne.
CREATES A SENSATION
Lawyer Fights Shy of Giving Evi-
dence Before Council-Meet-
ing to Discuss Charges.

Alderman Lewis Of East Chicago
created sensation at the regular meet
ing OF the council when he stated that
Attorney Van Horne had made the re-
mark TO mutual friend that there was
enough evidence Of bribery against
both o'Girr and himself to send them
to the penitentiary.
Lewis dramatically demanded thaS
the charges be proven and requested
the council to appoint committee to-
receive all OF the evidence and clear
him Of the stigma that the continual
talk Of bribery had put on his name.
Pointing to Van Horne. who was in
the room, he said That is the man.
demand that he prove his assertions,
II he doesn't, Van Horne and I to it,
After the crowd had recovered from
their surpise they seemed 10 take the
matter joke and there was a roar
of laughter when one of the aldermen
moved that the matter be referred to
the law and order committee and il
was found that this committee was
composed of Aldermen oGirr. Shock
and Lewis
Questions Councils Authority.
Van Horne, after hastily taking
council with some of his friends. stat
ed to reporter for THU LAKE COUNTY
TINES that the council or a committee
Of the council with the city clerk pre-
siding. did not have the authority to
compell witnesses to testify against
their will and that he would simply re-
fuse to make any statements in regard
to the matter.
Van Horne does not deny that he
said there was enough evidence against
Lewis to send him over the road. but
he does deny that he accused Lewis of
accepting bribes.
The council members voted TO hold a
special meeting to discuss the matter
at 7:30 next Monday and unless some
of the other aldermen. who might be
drawn into the matter in spite Of them
selves, succeed in smoothing matters
over before next Monday. there is like
~ to be warm session.
The sensation In the council cham
| ber is the one topic OF conversation
among the people of East Chicago and
Indiana Harbor The meeting next
Monday is fun Of possibilities and it
is a matter OF conjecture as to where
the matter will end.
1t is rumored that several members
Of the business mems association have
enough evidence against certain alder
men to convict them and send them to
the penitentiary They will not take
this action as long as these aldermen
are good. but if they kick out of he
harness and defy those who are :
manding good government. there is
sure to be trouble
This fact was proven when certain
council members framed up a list Of
: committees which they intended to
recommend to the mayor and they were
compelled to back down and aecede to
the demands or the Harborites that
Shock and Walton be placed on the
streets and alleys committee because
these representatives from the Har-
! Dor could better safeguard the inter-
! ests of the taxpayers upon whom the
: burden Of 100000 worth Of street i'm
provements is to be laid.
n VIII Demand Extra Representation.
) 1t Is generally believed that the peo-
= pie of the Harbor will soon demand
0 that their city be divided into at least
r two more wards and that they have an
: equal representation in the city coun-
I ell. At present there are but two al
t dermen representing the Harbor while
= East Chicago has four
1t is for this reason that the busi-
ness men would rather have two re-
/. liable aldermen and one submissive one
to offset the three others than to Sc
d cure the conviction of one of the al
dermen and then run the risk Of Sc
lecting the proper man for his suc-
= cessor.
4 This all has a hearing on the recent
e sensation in the council meeting for th4
/ reason that if Lewis forces the MATES
n 10 an issue, even though his skirts bG
,f clean, damaging evidence might de.
velop against other city officials thai
% would compicate matters. to say tia
} least
ct For this reason the outcome OF the at
IS tempt at an investigation is beins
awaited. almost breathlessly. by IN.
people Of both East Chicago and In
diana Harbor and there may be al
upheaval OF such magnitude over ther,
It. that there is no telling where it vii
e. end.