The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-03-02

H. G. Hay, jr., president of the Gary
state bank, was in conference with his
attorney Judge Greenlee this morning
and he said that some time today he
will answer Mayor Knots statement
published in the Gary Post last night
wherein he gives his reasons for sign
ing the liquor license repeal ordinance.
The mayor involves Hays name in his
statement and recounts the bribery
charges made by Alderman Castleman
who accused Hay of buying the vote
of former Alderman Baukus to secure
the passage of the good government
measure. Knots states that inasmuch
as Hay has not refuted the bribery ac-
custation that he signs the repeal ordi-
nance, a god send to the breweries and
saloon men. measure which reduces
licenses fees from $500 to 5000.
The statement published in the Post
follows:
Knots Statement In Full.
81 think it but just and proper that
the people of Gary should know my
reasons for signing the ordinance re-
pealing the $500 liquor license meas
ure passed by the council last year and
in making that statement 1 shall be
as concise possible.
~ very much regret that circum-
stances surrounding the passage of the
original liquor license ordinance which
was repealed by the passage of the one
I signed yesterday. has compelled me
to sign the measure for it's repeal.
was in favor Of high license when the
$500 license measure was adopted by
the city council and / am still in favor
of a higher license than 5000 year.
am fully aware of the fact that the re-
peal of the $500 license fee and the re-
turn to the $500 fee Will result in a
loss to the city revenues of more than
$4,000 annually and that this falling
off in saloon revenues viii have to be
made up In some other manner, but /
also am fully aware that an ordinance
passed by fraud ought not to be al
lowed to stand on the book of ordi-
nances of the city of Gary.
He Recalls CastIeman.s Charge.
When Councilman Castleman intro
duced the repeating ordinance, he ac-
companied it by an open and positive
statement. made on the floor of the
council chamber that the passage Of
the original liquor license ordinance
the one 1T was sought to repeal-had
| been brought about by means of brib-
cry and fraud. 1t was stated on the
floor of the council chamber that H. G..
Hay. Jr., of this city, was the person
who offered the bride and that the offer
was made to Anthony Baukus, then Il
member of the council. 1t was also
charged that the ordinance would not
have passed had it not been for the
| vote of Councilman Baukus and other
members whose votes had been infiu~
enced.
Bill Cain 60 Between.
Ten days have elapsed since those
charges were made in the council
chamber. yet there has been no specific
| denial of the charges made by the
author of the repealin gordinance. he
only explanation offered by Mr.. Hay is
| that. through William A. Cain. l
solicited him Mr.. Hay to go to Coun
Gilman Baukus and endeavor to secure
his vote in favor of the high license
| ordinance. L emphatically deny that
| ever asked Mr.. Cain to see Mr.. Hay in
regard to soliciting Councilman
| Baukus to vote for the ordinance and
Mr.. Cain says he does not remember
| any such circumstance. Mr.. Hay has
made no denial of the charge that he
| offered inducements to Anthony
| Bauku for the laters vote in favor OF
| a high license, while on the other hand
Councilman Castleman declares he ha:
| the positive proofs that such induce
! ments were offered.
What Did They Say:
al did have one conversation with
| Mr. Hay on the subject of the high
license ordinance, which also had tC
| do with Councilman Baukus. I have
| a very distinct recollection of the con
| versation which actually took place be
tween Mr.. Hay and myself, but 1 vii
/ not now disCiOge nature. Since
may be called upon to make the dis
closure in court room. Then 1 shall
| tell just what was said in that CONVEX
sation what Mr.. Hay said and also tel
when and where the conversation tool
place.
Elm view of the fact that the origi