South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-07
RESTS,
MAYOR BELL
TAKES STAND
Prosecution Fails to Prove
"SIuSh" Fund of ST, 600 Was
Collected From Brewers as
Part of Conspiracy.

INDIANAPOLIS. Oct. THE state
rested it's case in the election con-
spiracy trial Of Mayor Joseph +. Bell
soon after the opening of court to-
day.
Mayor Bell himself was the first
witness called by the defense.
The only witness for the state today
was Congressman Merrill Moore, who
told Of seeing three automobiles filled
with from five TO seven men each visit
the eighth precinct of the third ward
on election day. This was to support
the states contention regarding the
alleged "repeaters" carried by William
Petit. foreman of the "wrecking
crew" and "GOosie" Costello.
Perhaps the greatest disappoint-
ment to the prosecution came late
Wednesday when the effort to prove
that a "slush" fund of 81 900 was col
lected from the brewers as part of al
legged conspiracy. received a jolt.
Delivered in 1913.
This came when Paul Hagen, treas
urer of the Home Brewery, testified
that the $3.50 which he paid to Tag
CART was delivered in 1913 instead Of
at the last election which the present
trial involves.
Hagen said he took $3.50 to demo-
cratic headquarters in large bills in
1914 and paid il to some man whom
he cannot now name. He was posi-
tive. however, that he did not give it
to Thomas Taggart.
Hagen had testified before the grand
jury that he paid the money to Tag
CART in 1914, but subsequently noti-
fed Pros. Rucker that he was in error
before that body and that the donation
was made in 1913. Hagen said the
~ do hn
was customary. He said a committee
represented the administration but he
could not recollect who composed the
committee In previous years Hagen
said, it was the policy of his company
TO contribute TO both parties during
the campaign.
There was a stir in the court room
whS~ Mayor Bell took the stand to-
day following a short talk with his
attorneys during the recess as the
state rested. Bell appeared cool and
collected as Atty. Michael Ryan start
ed the direct examination.
Tells Story OF Life.
The mayor told the story of his
early life on the farm and as school
teacher before coming to Indianapolis
to enter the legal profession. He ex-
planned his favOritism for certain cam
didates in the 1914 primaries prin-
Gipally on the grounds of old time
friendship and because of early
pledges made to them. other candi-
dates who also were his friends, came
to him later but he told them of his
prior pledges. Some of the so-called
"slat'' candidates he had known for as
long as 90 years, and even knew the
fathers of a few.
He had great faith in the qualifica-
tons and characters of all the demo-
cratic candidates and had held nu-
merous conferences with other demo-
cratic leaders as to what men would
add the greatest strength TO the ticket
In all. he testified. he had seen about
a dozen different states" framed from
groups of democrats.
The witness said he had no connec-
ton whatever with the selection of
the primary boards except he sug-
gested TO County Commissioner Kitley
that men Of unreasonable fairness
serve as inspectors Mayor Bell said
he visited many precincts on primary
day where he stopped and chatteo,
but had no particular object in view.
He denied that he had ever given
orders to the police department to
favor any particular candidates. AS to
city employees the witness said they
were generally favorable to the group
or Candidates preferred Dy MIN, Dut
his only advice TO them was to do their
duty by attending the primaries and
TO get their friends out He said there
were many republicans at the meet
ing at which he gave the advice.
The witness entered emphatically
unqualified denials OF all charges
made against him through the con-
spiracy indictment. He denied knowl-
edge OF any overt action on the part
Of others, saying if there were such
actions as those testified to by wit
nesses for the state, they were with
out his consent or knowledge. The
mayor denied having any conversation
with Bud GinsOn at the polls other
than to say Hello to him. ut was
Gibson who testified that the mayor
slipped IL 81 bills to him when
shaking hands.")