The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-08-22
Head of Grady County Council
of Defense Pledges Support
of Body to Authorities in
Grand Jury meet.
ASKS OFFICIAL TO
SUBPOENA WITNESSES
Expresses Desire for Complete
Investigation of all Alleged
Vice Conditions; Suggests
List of Witnesses.

Replying to request from County
Attorney Simpson for evidence to be
presented to the grand jury, con
vening next Monday, and furnishing
list Of witnesses, Alger Melton
Chairman of the County Council OF
Defense, has addressed a letter to
Mr.. Simpson in which he says in
part:
"Yon are advised that as Chair.
man Of the Council of Defense,
stand ready to aid and assist in
every way l can by suggesting wit
nesses to appear before the grand
jury for examination as to viola
tions of the law.
"Under the law, as | understand
it,you as County Attorney, arc the
only person authorized TO cause sub
poonas to be issued and served for
witnesses prior to the convening Of
the grand jury, and l urge you to
have these witnesses subpoenaed at
once. When these witnesses have
been subpoenaed and appear before
the grand jury, suggest that they
be examined by the grand pury in
detail as to their knowledge of viola
tions of the prohibition and gambl-
ing laws OF the State; AMI if it should
develop that these laws have been
violated, that these witnesses be in
terrogated in detail as to the condi-
tioDs under which those who violated
the law operatedS and the methods
used by them.
In your letter you request me to
confer with members of the Council
OF Defense and scertain what infor-
nation they have, if any, pertaining
to law violations, and furnish the
same to you that you can have wit
nesses subpoenaed before the grand
jury. | shall be glad to comply with
this request / will confer with mem
bers OF the Council of Defense and
others interested in law enforcement.
and endeavor TO obtain information
as to the names of persons who
might be subpoenaed before the
grand jury and who might give evi-
dence, and as soon as | have done
this, shall report to you in detail
the information received. | will en-
deavor to get you this information
in detail before the grand jury meets
on Monday, the 26th. | presume this
will be in ample time for investiga-
tion as the grand jury can immedi-
atcly issue subpoenas for witnesses
and will doubtless be engaged in the
examination CT witnesses, whose
names | have suggested in this let
ter.
Il realize that a thorough investi
cation OF conditions, by the grand jury
which is to convene on the 26th ne
cessitates considerable work and is
an arduous task for your office. and
in view Of all the circumstances and
the work to be done and the investi
cation TO be made. l am sure thai
the County Council Of Defense will
join you in a request upon tie Cover
nor to appoint counsel under Section
S05G, Revised Laws Of 1910, or desig
nate an Assistant Attorney Genera
OF the State to either conduct tht
proceedings before the grand jurl
which convenes on the 26th, or t
aid and assist your office in sucl
investigation as may become beforI
the grand jury. Should you concur il
this matter, I will thank you to ad
wise me at once so that the requet
can be made upon the Governor
Yours very truly, Alger Meltol
Chairman County Council Of Defense