Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-25
Browne, Wilson, Traut
and Hirsheim er in
Grand Jury Net.
BURKE GETS RESULTS
Charge 0utgrowth of Fish Item
in Jack Pot-A B. John
Ston Held Periurer.

Springfield, H., June 25-The grand
jury today returned indictments In the
legislative bribery probe, as follows:
Conspiracy to brlbe: Representative
Lee O'NeII Browne, Representative
Robert E. Wilson, Frank J. Traut, Lou
Is o. Hirsheinper.
Bribery and perjury: A. q. Johnston.
Browne and Wilson were Indicted on
the general Jackpot" proposition.
There are three counts each In the
conspiracy indictments, two In the per-
jury indictments against Johnston, and
IL In the bribery indictment against
Johnston.
Gardner I'm Denial.
Chicago, Ill, June Estate Sen
ator Gardner of Mendoza today made
a sweeping denial of the assertion
made in Springfield that he solicited
$4,000 in connection with the bill TO
permit the damming of rivers for
power purposes.
HIrsheImer on state Board.
All indictments except that against
Johnston are in connection with the
Jackpot" investigation regarding the
fund raised among the fishermen to
defeat the state fish commissions bill
regarding the size of seines and max
ing other regulations. Hirsheimer, who
is a member of the state board of
equalization. It was stated by Fred J.
Schweer. who brought the fish fund TO
Springfield and turned It over TO
Traut. was in the room when the fund
was counted. Traut had testified he
did not know how much money was In
the fund. a.--.---.-
On Furniture Deal.
A. B. Johnston was local representa-
tive of the Chicago firm to whom the
contract was awarded by the commits
sion appointed for that purpose TO fur
nish new desks and chairs for the SEN
ate chamber and house. Johnston re-
peatedly testified before the grand Jury
he had not offered the members OF the
commission any money for awarding
the contracts or had any conversation
the offering of money TO Sen
ator Holstlaw of Iuka, who had testi-
fed that he was paid for making the
award, and there was other evidence
against Johnston in the matter.
Senator Asked $4,000.
Springfield, Ill, June 25.-That Sen
ator Corbus P. Gardner of Mendoza de-
manded $4,000 to secure the passage
Of the mill dam" bill. around which
clustered unsavory reports galore in
The last assembly, was testified 10 be-
lore the Sangamon county grand Jury
by II. S. Greene. manager OF
he gas company at Morrison, III. AS
he transaction is said by Greene TO
nave occurred in Chicago. IL is serious
V doubted whether the venue is in San
canon county.
This is the first time the name Of
Senator Gardner has been brought into
he inquiry. either here or at Chicago.
Gardner is regarded as one Of the big
,est men in the state senate.
No Cnse, So Bill f. Killed.
Greene, with others who hoped to Sc
.ure water power rights through the
,assage of a measure amending the
mill dam site" act. told the grand jury
Ie was unable to raise the amount of
money required, and the bill was after
yard killed.
According to Greene. while the bill
vas under consideration by the senate
he received a telegram 20
o TO Chicago to the First National
ank building. At that time he stated
e did not know who sent the messge,
ut when he arrived there he was
hown to the office OF Senator Gardner.
Ordered 10 Collect IL.
According TO Greene's story to the
rand jury. Gardner. after discussing
he bill with him. told him that II
,ould take $4,000 to get the bill
lrough. Greene says he replied 10
ardner that he could not get that
mount of money whereat he was in
ructed to see others interested in the
leasure so that the fund could be col
ted.
Gardner afterward told me the mon
y was to be used for attorneys fees.
ut know what the money was wanted
,r," declared Greene to the grand
lrors. The Morrison man also stated
lat Gardner said the money was not
,r himself