The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-04-24
JUDGE BELDEN MAY CbLLPANEL
City May go into Circuit Court to Get
Fullest Investigation of Alleged Com
bine Against Cities of the State by
Contractors and Material Men.

Attorneys in the city have pointed
out to the members of the common
council the real way of securing an in
Testigation Of the alleged combine
among material men and contractors.
This suggestion is petition to Judge
Belden for the calling Of grand jury
under the state law to make an examin-
alton into the facts alleged by contrac-
tors and their attorneys. Such grand
jury would have all the powers of the
circuit court behind it and it would
have full power to vote indictments
and issue warrants for the arrest of
men in Wisconsin, and other states who
may have entered into any agreement
to force an increased cost for paving
on the people Of Kenosha. The sum-
moning of the grand jury under the
Wisconsin laws is left entirely in the
hands Of the circuit judge and if the
members Of the common council and
other people interested can make a
showing which will convince Judge Bel
den that a grand jury investigation is
for the best interests Of the people
there is no doubht that he will at once
act on petition and provide for the
investigation. Kenosha has never had
a grand jury called under the order Of
any court but several times suggestions
of such an investiga HI has been made.
The cost of such a grand jury investiga-
ton would be paid the same as any
other costs Of the circuit court and the
city Of Kenosha would be called upon
to pay only it's proportional share of
the cost Of the investigation, the re-
mainder being assessed against the
county as is the case with other court
charges.
The matter was taken up with mem
bers of the council today and petit
| ton asking for a grand jury investiga
tion is being prepared. The members Of
the council have given assurance that
they will sign such petition if Con
tractor Wade and his attorney, R. ".
Baker are able to show a sufficient
ground to place this expense upon the
county. The cost Of this grand jury
investigation would probably be several
hundred if not thousands of dollars
but if the calling Of it would bring to
| light the evidence of the alleged com
bine the money would be well spent.
The report that the city Of Kenosha
was to make such an Investigation has
caused some activity among the men
who are selling material in Wisconsin
cities but it is declared that some of
these men have declared their willing
ness to tell all they know about the al
legged combination if such probe is in
stituted.
Mayor Head has declared that he is
in favor Of the city of Kenosha MAX
ing the fullest Investigations of the
charges that have been made. He,
however, has insisted that he be given
some facts on which to decide that the
examination will not be frivolous one.
There is no doubt but that Judge Bel
den will promptly issue call for a
grand jury # the demand is made upon
him by Mayor Head and the members
of the common council.
Attorneys of the city are taking the
matter up with the attorney for the CON
tractors with view of finding
out just how much evidence could be
presented to such a grand jury.
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