South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-24
Federal Judge Bitterly ASSaiIS
Defendants When Evidence
Is Revealed Showing At
temptS to Influence Witness.
PUTS FOUR UNDER new
BONDS OF $4,000 EACH
Unless This Bail Is Furnished
Before Night Terre Haute
Mayor, Sheriff and Police
Judge Will Go to Jail.

INDIANAPOLIS, March 24.-Just
before noon adjournment Judge An
derson excused the jury and bitterly
scored Roberts, Shea. Police Judge
Smith and Aczel, alias Steele, all de-
PENDANTS in the TerTe Haute election
fraud cases, when he reviewed their
efforts to tamper with government
witnesses. The court stated that in
formation was brought TO him that
Shea had been detected in the act of
signalling to witnesses on the stand.
These gentlemen apparently have
no regard for any law. have de-
cided this case requires that Shea.
Smith, Steele and Roberts be entered
into recogniZance bonds OF $4,000
each TO appear in this court To answer
to both sections of the statute apply
ing to this case"
Judge Anderson then read the sec
tions. one provides a fine of 1000
and not more than one year imprisOn-
ment or both, for influencing witness
es and the second provides a fine of
$5, 600 or not more than six years i'm
prisOnment or both, for conspiracy
to intimidate a witness.
The testimony shows that Roberts
exercised a strange influence over the
men in this case" Judge Anderson
continued.
"It was shown he sent Frank Hess
to bribe a witness. IL was shown he
attempted To have witness testify
falsely. Detective Watts testified
Roberts employed him TO trail officers
of this court and report what witness
es were subpenaed. Holler Roberts
tool, was stationed on the third floor
of this building when the grand jury
met"
Judge Anderson remanded the men
into the custody of the marshal who
will lodge them in jail unless bond is
furnished before night
Says He Gave $1,000.
Adolph Gagg, secretary Of the Wa
bash Realty Co. of which he stated
Crawford Fairbanks. politician and
brewer. was the principal stakeholder
said he gave Maurice Walsh, treasur
er of the democratic county commit
tee. S1,5OO which Fairbanks gave him
for that purpose.
Gagg said he was in Peoria on
registration day but filled out an alb
sentee blank and left it with a notary
TO be given to Eli Redman
when you went to vote did not
Mrs. Stimson say that you were not
registered ?" asked Dist Atty. Daley.
Gagg hesitated.
Answer" directed Judge Anderson.
why. | thought she said my name
was not on her book Gagg replied.
did you not hear Jack Hines say
that every man had a right to vote
whether registered or not?"
mo"
Nugent Demanded Fund.
Martin j. Riley. Terre Haute agent
Of the Schlitz Brewing Co, said that
John Nugent demanded $50 for the
"slush fund" and that George Severn
gambler, asked him for $500, saying
he came at the direction of Mayor
Roberts.
Did you talk to anyone about cam
paign money!" asked DALEY.
yes, I saw Eli Redman and he said
he was short of money and wanted
$50. I gave it TO him."
when you gave Redman that $50
did you not think the saloons you sold
10 might be benefited by Redman be
ing judge"
Riley admitted it,
Dan Albin. foreign saloon keeper.
swore that Alex Aczel a week ago
tried TO dissuade him from testifying
and approached him again with sthe
same object.
Albin said he was served with a re-
straining order issued bv Judge Cox,
and went IL Roberts for advice.
Roberts said that order amounts
TO nothing; pay no attention to il, Al
bin said Roberts said II anybody
interfered with you, you got protec-
ton.
Did Roberts give you any money!
Yes; he sneaked me $50"
Roberts Wanted 10 See Witness.
Reverting 10 efforts to influence his
testimony, Albin said Aczel told him
Roberts wanted To see him before he
came 10 testify, Saturday the 18th.
Il said, I've been indicted, pleaded
guilty. and been subpenaed, and l
have rOthing TO do with Roberts,
answered AIbin.
Describing scenes in his saloon on
naturalization day. Albin said Sid
Onyett. attorney. deputy clerk Kruzan
and AcZel made out naturalization
papers for foreigners who paid 81
each for their citizenship papers, the
dollar first having been slipped under
the table from KruZan TO Onyett, who
in turn gave il 10 the prospective cit
izen The same dollar served for all
Judge and Sheriff to Jail.
Following further revelations OF ef
forts 10 influence witnesses, Federal
Judge Anderson sent Thomas Smith.
Judge Of the city court OF Terre Haute.
and Sheriff Shea Of Nigo county, and
Alex Aczel 20 the Marion county jail
and warned the remaining > defend
ants in the TeTre Haute election fraud
prosecutions that if any further at
tempts 10 infiuence witnesses were
shown he would order the 2s men who
tody Of the United States marshal
pleaded not guilty placed in the Gus
until the prosecution is ended
Il desire To show these gentlemen" "
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO)