The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-05-15
TREASURER BRYAN
IS INTERVIEWED
Criticises Mayor Knots for Inviting
Friends to Drink on His Birthday
and Says Official Prostituted His
Office, Citizenship and His Physi-
cal Being.

That there is a conspiracy to
sassinate L. a. Bryan, city treasurer of
Gary, and one of the best known real
estate men in the country, and burn his
house as terrible revenge in case the
saloons are eliminated from the city,
has been absolutely confirmed after n
careful investigation by Mr.. Bryan.
Bryan Gets Nomination.
A short time ago the information
was given to the city official by friends
and since that time convincing evil
dence has been disclosed of the ex-
istence of the plot. Contrary to the
reports circulated, there has been no
letters sent to Mr. Bryan warning him
to cease his activities in support of the
remonstrance. If this fact were true.
It would indicate that the warning
was rnereix q bluff hut coming as it
did from friends, it sSas-taf1en Serious
II and the minute ivestigation fol-
lowed.
Not Reported to Police.
As far as the danger to himself was
concerned Mr.. Bryan stated that he
could be killed but he coldnt be
frightened.
The matter has not been reported to
the police as he did not consider it
necessary to take those steps.
When seen by a TIMES reporter last
night Mr.. Bryan would not disclose the
plans of the conspirators further than
to state that they intended to kill him
and burn the house. In the event that
they failed to do so. they would make
would be compelled to leave the city.
Knows the COnspirators.
He only stated that he was convinced
that the plot existed but that he knew
who the conspirators were, and had
obtained enough proof to convict them
in any court.
The fact that his life is endangered
because of his work on the remons-
STRANGE. is not thought by Mr.. Bryan
to indicate that the saloonkeepers Of
the city have melted the conspiracy
He does not believe that there is one
of them that would approve of it, and
that the responsibility lays upon few
disreputable characters who have beer
agitated by gossip circulated about
the city by those who desire to see the
saloons remain. There can be no ques-
tion but what there are a few in the
city, low enough to commit a crime Of
this character.
Did Not Start Movement.
AS far as can be learned. the city
treasurer was to be their only victim
There is no especial reason for thi.
aside from the fact that Mr.. Bryan Il
an influential citizen, and is unswerv
ing in his opposition, but since its in
ception has been an open and heart,
supporter of the remonstrance Their
are other men who have meen NOR
active, however, than he.
Why 1t Was Circulated.
When asked why the remonstranc
was circulated Mr.. Bryan replied,
The remonstrance to remove the sa
looms from this city was resorted t
because of the lawlessness and dis
orderly manner in which many o
them today, grossly violating the Law
and some are run so disreputably tina
it is shame to the community. Al
are now compelled to suffer for tn
misdemeanor of those who have don
wrong.
City Filled with Joints.
But few people have a conception O
the conditions which exist The cit
is filled with gambling joints. an,
dens of vice, which no respectabi
citizen could be expected to tolerate
We have been unsuccessful in attempt
ing to obliterate them and we hav
but one course to pursue. I am mos
radically opposed to all saloons. bu
particularly to those who are operat
ing in defiance of the law The charg
that 1 have sold property for saloo,
purposes, is false, but I am willing t
admit that this has been done in
few instances by agents. contrary t
my instructions. In those cases, ar
perfectly willing to buy back the prop
erty which has been sold to them, i
case they believe that their propert
has deprecated in value. to show tha
wish to be perfectly fair in the mat
ter"
Predicts Success For Remonstrances.
When asked what he thought woul
<COnt1nued ON page 4. column a.