South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-26
WILSON ADVISERS
UNABLE TO REACH
COAL SETTLEMENT
SUCCEEDS SLACK
AS STATE ATTY
Frederick Van NuyS Appointed
to Office - Was Former
State Chairman.

INDIANAPOLIS. Nov 25-The
appointment of Frederick Van Nuys
democratic state chairman. as dis
trict attorney OF Indiana. is viewed
with considerable satisfaction by the
democrats of Indiana who are ac-
quainted with AIr Van Nuys ard ia
miliar with the affairs OF the fed
eral court ana the desires of Judge
A. b. Anderson TO maintain tho dig
nifty OF that court He succeeds L.
Ert Slack
The position is one Of unusual re-
sponsibilty at this time and 10 af-
fords an opportunity for the incum
bent 70 bring 20 himself the atten-
tion of the state and OF those inter
ests outside the state that are con
tinUally seeking men with the char
acter 10 assume large responsible
ties and TO do large amounts Of
work.
Judge Anderson has frequently
brought about a disposition TO re-
gard the federal court as the stan
dard for all the courts Of Indiana
and the officers OF that court as the
standard for all other law enforce
ment agencies in the state. It Is
fact that federal laws are invari-
ably violated in some Of the rami-
fications Of corrupt municipal ma
chine and the prosecution OF the
Muncie officials was a fair notice
70 municipalities that whenever they
permitted their own baclJyards 10
become so foul as to attract the at
tentlon Of government officials they
would have TO pay the penalties
therefor
NIunCte Cases.
The NunCie cases. however. were
not brought to the attention Of the
federal court until the postoffice de
partment had practically completed
the gathering Of evidence. This de-
lay in taking hold Of the matter was
a cause for considerable impatience
in government circles.
Mr.. Van Nuys is regarded as n
man who will be quick to see his
duty and thorough in tho perform
ance Of It. He viii enter the dis
trict attorneys office at a time when
there are pending before the court
cases OF unusual Importance No
table among them is the case of
Delavan Smith, publisher Of the In
dianapolis News, who is under in
dictment for causing a false state
- q
circulation TO be filed with the gov
ernment
Democrats Of Indiana have no
reason 10 be particularly friendly 10
the News. While it frequently posed
as an independent paper and as such
welded a great deal Of influence
in democratic state affairs. il was
under the ownership and control Of
Charles w. Fairbanks. a republican
whose political ambitions and belief
made him no friend OF the demo-
cratic party.
Big Case.
Mr. Van Nuys will inherit from
his predecessor this case, as well as
the heretofore unexplored ramifica-
tions Of the concealment Of the
ownership during the period follow
ing the death Of Mr.. Fairbanks and
the announcement OF his interests in
the News. AS is 10 be expected
Delavan Smith will have behind him
in the preparation and trial o. this
matter. an array Of legal counsel and
politNal friends with ability TO null
lify the work OF any district attor-
ney who is not persistently on his
toes.
Mr.. Van Nuys IS we'll acquainted
with their personnel and practices
During his incumbency as state
chairman ne has had opportunity 20
study their methods and 10 under
stand their influences. He is re-
garded as imminently fitted 20 rep
resent the government in this case
which is not only attracting state
wide attention but viii have a direct
bearing on national issues before IL
is completed.
Mr.. Van Nuys has had experience
IS a prosecutor. ne is we'll known
for patient and persistent work and
his friends openly declare that there
is no me better qualified 20 take
over the district attorneyship at this
time.