South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-23
Absent Treatment of Public Bushes
CIVIL SERVICE BY PROXY.

The indictment OF something like
half score of supposedly eminent
and highly-respected citizens of
southern Indiana on charges Of con-
spiracy to commit fraud in civil ser
vice examinations. has doubtless nip
ped in the bud an enterprise that is
rather more notable for its daring
than for its originality. The ar~az-
ing thing about IL is not SO much hat
it appears TO have been successful for
a considerable length of time, but
that IL should ever have been at
tempted at all.
Evidence submitted TO the recent
federal grand jury at Indianapolis,
convinced that inquisitorial body that
certain citizens of Martin county,
some of them holding county offices
and other positions of trust, employed
other and supposedly more COM
petent individuals TO imperSOnate
them in taking civil service eXami-
nations insisted upon by Uncle Sam
as a qualification for appointment in
certain branches OF governmental
work. These Indiana patriots yearn-
ed for places on the payroll of the
governments internal revenue de-
partment. but distrusted their own
equipment for passing the scrutiny of
the examiners. Apparently no sus-
picion of inability TO do the work
after the job should have been Sc
cured was permitted to Turk in the
minds Of the ambitious applicants.
Their purpose was 20 get the place.
For fees ranging from S25 TO $3.50,
il is contended by the government.
they were able to employ to imper-
senate them i'm civil service examina-
tons at New Albany, other individ-
uals whose performance insured a
passing grade and a place on the list
of those eligible and qualified for ap-
pointment as vacancies might occur
and many vacancies were then i'm
minent by reason OF the country s
change in political complexion.
Government officials declare the
conspiracy is an extensive one and
that the case against the men will be
shown to be conclusive UndOubted-
ly the punishment. If they are con-
victed, will be adequate, but we trust
while Uncle Sam is dealing with the
employers in these transactions, ne
will not permit the escape of the men
ability by lending themselves TO this
sort OF swindle.-Ft. Wayne Sentinel.
THE COLORADO SITUATION.
Judge Ben B. Lindsey Of Denver,
at the head OF a delegate of mine
strike victims. appealed direct 10
President Wilson yesterday. asking
that the regular army forces now in
Colorado not only be retained. but
that they be used 10 coerce mine OPP
orators into arbitration.
He pointed out the settlement OF
the Pennsylvania strike by President
Roosevelt and declared that il was
within the province OF President VIII
son TO close every mine in Colorado
until an agreement was reached.
Openly he accused Governor Am
mons with being an incompetent and
a majority OF the state Legislators
with being under Rockefeller con
troll
These are strong statements from
a strong man. There has been ugly
eXaggeration of conditions in Colora-
do BY both sides when the real hor-
rors were bad enough There have
been wide attempts by both operators
and miners 10 influence public opin-
ion and play upon public sympathies
The public has come 10 look askanct
at too many OF the charges and pleas
from Colorado. suspecting the motive
But Judge Lindsey is too importan
a parsonage and holds too large z
ulace in the public eve 70 let sucf
charges pass unncticed while dealin.
with the strike situation
The time for the removal Of th'
federal tr0ops from Colorado a.
/ nanifestly not como. Perhaps TIT