The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-08-28
ALDERMAN LEWIS
FRIENDS RALLY
interviewed and Mayor Ed DeBriae
Declares That He Has No Voice
In Councils Actions. Street Car
Company To Be Attached By I'm.
provement Association.
Especial to THE T1mEs) j..

East Chicago, Ind, Aug. 2s.-The
story of the alleged graft exposure to
be made at the mass meeting OF the
Citizens improvement association to-
discussion. When The Times made it's
appearance ON the streets of East Chi
cngO last evening, with the allegations
of the association In full, there was a
constant demand for the Issue and the
voters of this city and Indiana Harbor
gathered the street corners and de-
voted several hours to consideration
of the charges. The Chicago and In
dianapOIis papers devoted considerable
space to 1T.
1t is predicted that Moss hall on OIL
colt avenue will not be large enough
to accommodate the throng which will
attend the meeting. 1t is expected that
between three and four hundred citi-
zens of the two cities will be present
and join in the discussion. Colonel
Walsh and Charles Pitzele, the prime
movers of the association. are very
busy gathering their forces together
and there is little doubt that this even
ing's meeting will be sensational in the
extreme.
Have Been Invited to Attend.
The members of the city council have
been invited but will not attend. There
will be an adjourned session of the
council this evening for the considera-
ton of several road Improvement mat
ters and this will detain them from the
meeting at which their character will
be attacked by men of vim and energy
| Friends of Alderman Lewis are
strong in his support, and will attend
the meeting that they may personally
refute any allegations of dishonesty
brought against him An attempt was
made to locate Alderman Lewis last
evening, but was in vain. A TIMES
representative, failing to reach the re
form alderman on the telephone, Wis
| tied his home at 10 o'clock last evening
and learned that the Lewis family was
away from the city, but expected back
| today.
Mayor Refuses to Discuss 1t.
Mayor De Briae of East Chicago re-
fuses to discuss the matter declaring
that as mayor his position is an un.
usual one there being very few mat
ters in which he has a voice. He is
he says, merely the president of tn,
board and not enabled to sway tn,
discussion.
The Westrumiting company has beer
informed of the allegations agains
their company and the first ward al
derman. They will send a represen
tative, conversant with the case, to at
tend tonight's meeting. This gentle
man, officers of the Improvement asso
citation declare, will be treated witt
the utmost courtesy but a thorough
explanation of the modus operandi o
his company viii be demanded.
The company itself is guilty o
granting concessions, and 1 believe tina
we would have an excellent case of ex
tortion against them" said membe
Charles Pitzele.
VIII Attack Street Car Company.
The Improvement association will
also attack the Hammond, Whiting (
East Chicago Street Car company Of
the half rate rules. declaring that chill
dren travelling from Roby to East Chi
cago should be compelled to pay onl
three cents, and not the full fare
Franchises granted to the South Shor
Gas & Electric company will also b
examined and an investigation mad
of the unusual charge for broke
globes. In Whiting and Hammond
they declare, new globes are given i
exchange for the broken bulbs. but f
East Chicago a charge is made 70
every bulb returned While the coun
ell is not primarily to blame for thi
condition, they will be requested to at
tempt its remedy.