Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-11-06
QUIZ MAeILL
IN Beer CASE.
GRAFT PROBE
Former States Attorney
of Rock Island Hailed
Before Lands.

Chicago, ILL.,, Nov. "a dozen
United States marshals today
searched the city for State Repre-
sentative Robert e. Wilson, who is
wanted as a witness by Federal
Judge Lands in his investigation
of the Zion City beer running cases.
The court issued q subpoenae for
Wilson last night after several wit
nesses had testified involving him
in sensational, charges that seven
motor trucks, said to have been
used in bringing beer from Wis
consin, into Illinois, had been re-
turned to their owners without the
payment of a fine or the issuance
Of court order.
Defied Courts Orders.
Several truck owners testified
that they had paid fees for the re-
turn of their vehicles in defiance
of Judge Landis. orders.
It was shown that States Attor-
ney James G. Welch of Lake coun-
ty had accepted 500 fines from
IL Of the IA owners of the motor
trucks seized but had acted in good
faith and that the money had been
returned to the court.
Wilson recently was appointed
receiver for the motor trucks seized
In the Zion City beer running cases.
Magili Hauled Into Court
~ IAst night JndEe lands sudden
III aalted court proceedings Ia his
Investigation and issued subpoenas
for Wilson and Lawrence Larry
M. Magill, former states attorney
of Rock Island county and at one
time member of the Illinois general
assembly. Deputy u 8. marshals
were unable to find Wilson last
night. Magill was found at down
town hotel dining with Warden
Murphy of the Joliet penitentiary,
and escorted to court where he was
grilled by Judge Lands.
Tells Part in Case.
Magill said he had been engaged
as attorney for the truck owners
after the lawyers previously re-
tanned by them hac charged large
fees and the defendants had ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with the
manner in which their cases had
been handled.
II told them I would take their
case and get back their trucks
some for fees Of 5000, and some for
less, the fee to include defending
the drivers in the lake county
court" said Magill. Il took the
Zeibold and Schaffer cases and got
their trucks back"
Have you split your fees in this
transaction!" asked Judge Lands
II have not split a penny" re-
Piled the witness. Wilson 10 a
very good friend OF mine and help
ed me out in the interest Of my
clients"
Admits He Was Indicted.
In reply to further questions Ma
gill admitted that he had been In
dicted In Rock Island county, but
that the charge later was dismissed
and that written apology was
made to him by the commissioners
and $500 in back fees paid him ~
the result of q political battle.
Judge Landis will resume the In
vestigation at s o'clock this after
noon.
("Larry" M. Magill is well known
in Rock Island county. He served
a term in the legislature and also
one as states attorney. His home
formerly was in Moline, but he has
since been q resident Of Chicago
for several years. After the close
of his term as states attorney he
became involved in controversy
with the board Of supervisors over
fees to the amount OF several tho1-
sands of dollars which II. was al
legged had not been turned in. At
one time an indictment was Sc
cured, but 1t was subsequently
Quashed and q settlement effected.