South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-15

the house and that it may contain
many teeth" But its faith in the
senate seems no more avertible now
than il did a month agO-sO the en-
tire situation is a big problem for
party leaders here TO face and the
outcome is entirely uncertain at this
writing.
on the heels of this situation an
other story is being told that relates
only to one bill that the legislature
now has before it. This story evil
IDENTIFY comes from the ranks of those
opposed to the control of Thomas
Taggart and Gov. Ralston in demo-
cratic affairs. for it does not
charge them with any vast amount
Of sincerity concerning race track
gambling in Indiana, although it was
GOV MISUNDERSTANDING the lead of
Thomas II. Marshall year or two
ago, who called out companies of the
Indiana National guard to stop racing
at the old Mineral Springs track in
Porter county, because gambling was
being carried on there by a crowd Of
Chicago tOuts.
The story that now is being told
centeTs about the bill introduced by
Sen. Hirsch. which provides for the
in Indiana and legalizes Mutual
betting on such races. This bill, if it
becomes a law, would allow the re-
opening of the Mineral Springs track
by a group of northern Indiana and
Chicago engineers who have in
vested large sums in the track and
have not been able 10 take any profits
therefrom. even 10 the point of bank
ruptcy.
Sought to Gather Evidence.
1t is declared here that following
the calling out of the state troops to
stop the racing at Mineral Springs,
secret agents for the Chicago crowd
Of race-track engineers went into
Orange county. Ind. and there sought
TO gather evidence of an discriminating
nature against certain persons said to
have been operating games of chance
there According to the story which
is being told here, apparently with the
idea of side-tracking the race-track
bill. these agents sought TO have va
riOus newspapers publish alleged facts
they said they had gathered concern
ing dOings in Orange county Ind.
These newspapers said they would
publish these facts at the time the
agents filed suit against certain per-
sons il is reported. but the agents
suddenly disappeared and no suits
were ever filed. 1t was just about
that time that the entire Orange
county alleged Investigations came to
an abrupt end and the agents HE'D
themselves for their respective dwell
Ing places. Opponents of the HlrsSh
racing bill now are linking the TWO
situations together and declaring that
the introduction of the present racing
bill which is backed by perhaps as
powerful influences as Indiana has
within it. is a direct result OF the
Orange county "white-wash' that
threatened 10 become public here
some months ago.
Northern Indiana is deeply interest
ed in the reopening of the Mineral
Springs race track. The bill for the
establishment of the racing commits
sion already has passed the senate
and is in the house for action. Its
terms would appoint three men as the
FIRST commissioners Charles II. An
thOny OF Muncie Sterling r. Holt of
Indianapolis. and Charles +. Duftin of
F. Terre Haute. Many county fair assoc
Citations apparently are behind the
measure.
1t was brought 10 indianapolis by
Tom Knots. former mayor of Gary.
and his brother. Arminius Knots.
John Gavit and Frank Gavit two
Lake county brothers also have been
here in the interests of the bill. II IS
reported. But none of these men,
with the possible exception of John
Gavit, woald have influence enough
with this legislature 10 secure the pas
sage OF the bill-and So the theor-
izing goes on as 10 what really is the
influence behind the measure. which
Is making ii slip through the legisla-
ture as if a creased pole had been
arranged for il.
AttaCk Commission Law.
The real attack against the public
service commission law. for which
Gov. RalstOn and members of the
commission have been waiting
throughout the session. at last has APP