South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-18
Kerr Declares Action Will Be
Taken Against Score If
Leaders Are Not Arrested
for Contempt.
POLES ASK GOVERNOR
NOT TO SEND TROOPS
Committee Appeals to RaIStfh
Hubbard Says Request for
Militia Has Not Been Made
TO Avert BIoodShed.

That unless something is accom-
plished shortly in the way of appre-
hending the rioters at St. Cashiers
Polish Catholic church Sunday, for
contempt OF court, action will be TAX
en- against a score or more for as
sault and battery. and resistance of
officials, was asserted by Chief Kerr
Wednesday. The police state that
officers have been depending upon
punishment of the offenders in con-
tempt proceedings as the wisest way
to handle the affair. One man, Lad
islaus Opaczewsk, ordered Monday
to appear before Judge Funk, Friday
is now in the county Jail
1t is asserted that the leaders of
the Sunday morning riCt are keeping
pretty we'll hid. and il is hardly
necessary to keep the names of the
wanted people secret, in order to
keep their apprehension from becom-
ing difficult. on the further attidav-
its obtained by Atty. Hubbard. who is
representing Bishop Alerding, more
arrests are expected before morning
Appeal to- Governor.
Meanwhile the story set afloat
Tuesday afternoon that request for
state troops haG been made of Gov.
Gorski. president, and Luis NJ. Mucha,
secretary of the South Bend Polish
Roman Catholic societies. has ap-
pealed to the governor not to send
any troops here, asserting that it
would only tend TO make a bad mat
ter worse.
mo request for troops has been
made Of the governor" says Atty.
Hubbard. I'VE want to settle this
thing without blOodshed if we can.
Those people must learn to respect
the orders of the court"
In speaking of the proposed cross
complaint to Bishop Alerdings petit
ton for an injunction. counsel for the
bishop asserts that the filling Of
such cross bill will not affect the con-
tempt proceedings in the least. 1t is
asserted raj church society is be-
ing incorporated and that the court
will be asked to quiet title to the
church and parish house in the cor
pOratiOn to trustees as representa-
tives of the parishioners. At present
the title is vested in the bishop.
Only Asked Directions.
"A letter TO the governor asking
what program TO pursue to secure
troops, if desired, is all there is to
it," said Atty. Hubbard. "It is hoped
that it will not be necessary TO use
the troops, but we want to be ready
TO proceed with dispatch if they are
needed, and that is why the informa-
ton was asked"
1t is generally understood that the
governor of the state is not much
given To sending troops anywhere
until the sheriff refuses to act, or
proves his inability to cope with the
Sheriff Swanson has not
refused and does not anticipate any
such inability. In fact, he has
fa1V cfa hO
be able 70 cope with the situation.
Meanwhile both the sheriff and
members of the police force are suf-
fering some criticism from the pub
lie for the manner in which they fail
ed 10 handle the situation last Sun
day, especially after the early morn
ing uprising that preceded the one
at the church hour Had the sheriff
Father Gruza with his 40
meu as they approached the church
and with clubs upraised,
pushed their way to the church, il is
believed the mob would have separ-
ated for them, but the 40 men were
scattered in fighting the crowd. and
an attempt was made 10 present the
priest in taXi-state.
Suggest Arrest For Rioting
Failure of Sheriff Swanson to ar
rest the both men cited for contempt
OF Judge Funk'S anti-mOlestatiOn or
ders. they having left the city or hid
themselves when IL became known
ed the question in the minds Of many
If il would not be better for the
sheriff or the chief Of police 70 pro-
ceed with riot charges. This sug-
gestioa is further urged from the fact
that Atty. Hubbard is having a hard
time getting affidavits upon which to
base contempt charges.