The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-09-14
GRAND JURY INDICTS OFFICER
AND HIS PRIVATE SEC
RETARY.
RACE RIOT ECHOES
Tbirty-seyen Persons To Answer For
Recent Disorder in East Sc.
Louis, Ill.

Fred Mollman, of East st. Louis, and
his private secretary, Maurice Ahearn
were indicted today in connection
with the grand jury inquiry into the
recent race riots in East St. Louis.
Indictments were returned against
thirty-seven other persons in con-
nection with the riots, but their
names were not available as the cap
Eases for their arrest had not been
issued.
The grand jury submitted a re-
port, scoring the Mayor for his al
legged dilatoriness in taking means
to curb the rioters who took part in
the Staying of negroes on July , and
recommended that he be removed
from office.
Mayor Mollman," says the report,
must be judged by his actions as
proven by the evidence. If his
failure to give directions to the mill
tia and if his failure to call upon
the Sheriff and to deputize citizens
who offered their services, were the
result of a lack of ability or of
fright. the Office should be taken from
him and given to an efficient person.
Urge Resignation.
III his failure 10 act was because
his sympathies were with those who
sought to drive the negroes out Of
East St Louis he should make room
for a Chief Executive who is in fav
or Of Enforcing 100 per cent of the
laws.
The law-abiding citizens and in
dustries and the respectable labOring
men should unite and demand the
resignation of the Mayor as the
greatest good he can do his city"
The specific charge against the
Mayor is malfeasance in office, based
on his alleged negligence at the time
of the riots. The charge against the
Mayors secretary is that of conspir-
acy with the rioters in that he or
dered the police and militia to de-
xtroy cameras, thus preventing
moving picture men from photo
graphing the mObs."
mo man." says the report. gave
greater assistance to the rioters and
assured them more safety from pros
ecution that did Ahearn when he or
aered that photographers be denied
n cir free rights to take pictures.
VI New Commission Named.
About a month and a half after
the riot of July g." says the report
in conclusion, "a new police and fire
commission took charge of the po-
lice, composed of three of the strong
est and most reputable men in East
st. Louis. They have courage and
ability. Our evidence shows that
the coterie of corrupt politicians
who have been the undOing of the
Mayor will he able to hamper the
fire and police commission as long
a. Mr.. Mollman retains the Office of
Mayor.
1--WE have not been able, because
OF the lack OF time, to apprehend
and indict all who committed crimes
in the recent riots in East st.
Louis
The grand jury recommended that
the new grand jury. which assem-
bles September IT, continue the in
yestigation of the race riots. The :
grand jury also renews its former
recommendation that a State con
stabulary be organized. Circuit !.
Judge George A. Grow, in thanking
the grand jury for its work, express
ed the hope that the petit jury that :
tries the men named in the ihdict-
ments be equally courageous and
thorO. Il
One hundred and five men were
named in the indictments returned
= few weeks ago as connected with
the race riots. If all the thirty-nine
indicted today are men not previous
ly named, the number now under I
Indictment as result of the riots is
IA.
=