South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-25
GOVERNOR GIVES
SPECIAL PERMIT
TO CRIMINALS
Prisoners Absent Themselves
From Penal Institutions by
Orders of Goodrich.

Bureau-)
INDIANAPOLIS. oct 25.-Gov.
James 2. Goodrich continues with
/unahated fervor the issuing OF per
mits~ 20 criminals TO absent them
selves from penal institutions 20
which they have been sent by the
various courts OF the state.
Frank 2. Baker. former prosecu-
tor OF Marion county. was surprised
the other day when he discovered
that Glen Sedar. sentenced from
Marion county 20 the state farin for
one year for the theft OF Bakers
car was running about the streets
Of Indianapolis and had visited the
police station in an effort 90 obtain
therefrom his Berullon Photograph
and record.
Re was still more surprised when
ne had "A visit from a relative OF
Sedar who gave him % understand
that n Sedar was not compelled 20
serve the sentence imposed by the
court. $500 Of the money Baker
spent 20 repair his car would be re-
turned 10 him.
Get Years Sentence.
Sedar and Neil Campbell were
sentenced 10 the state farm for one
year by Judge James A Collins on
september goth. The records of the
court do not show that he was ever
paroled or released on "A bond. but
they do show that his attorneys
have filed a motion TO set aside the
plea OF guilty which he entered
and have asked that he be permit
ted tot plead not guilty. 40 ruling
has been recorded on this motion
and attorneys say that II would be
unusual. If not improper for the
court 20 set aside a final judgment
such as was entered and reopen the
case.
Baker heard that Sedar was at
liberty about October 1st and called
- up the governors office 20 ask II
there had been a pardon or parole
issued 10 him. He was informed
that there had not When he
pressed for further information he
was told that Gov. Goodrich had is
sued one OF his famous temporary
paroles" to Sedar
These temporary paroles consist
OF writing a personal letter 70 the
head Of the state institution in
which the prisoner happens to be
confined and instructing him 10 al
low the prisoner to depart there
from without guard. There is new
or any record made OF these TEN
porary' paroles. no one ever checks
them up 10 sec whether or not the
prisoner returns 70 the institution
and the public has no means of
knowing how many are issued nor
TO whom they are issued.
Policeman Finds Prisoner.
Not long ago a policeman found
man whom he had helped SEN
tence 10 prison going about appar-
entity carefree and arrested him as
fugitive Later he was advised
bv The head OF the institution that
the man was At liberty on the order
Of Gov Goodrich.
I'm the case Of Sedar the prisoner
made il known at police headquar-
that he was the recipient of
favor from the governor and was
not molested Efforts this week 10
find out whether Campbell was at
the penal farm now failed for rea-
son that c. T. Talkington. head Of
the penal farm. was reported away
until next Monday"
The crime for which Sedar and
Campbell were sentenced to prison
was the stealing Of Frank Bakers
automobile in Indianapolis The
auto was recovered in Tennessee.
whore il had been driven Mr.
Baker says that the repairing Of the
damages done 10 the car cost him
moro than $500
NJ Baker says that when a rela-
tive Of Sedar called on him and adj
viseI him that $500 would he paid
90 him II Sedar was not forced to
serve his sentence no direct appeal
was made 20 him 10 recommend
,lemency but an effort was made
To- show him that he could profit
financially hY overlooking The ef-
forts 10 spring Sedar.
T. is reported that the governor
OF another state has been requested
TO intercede with Gov. Goodrich ON
behalf of Sedar and that the po-
Iitical influences being brought to-
bear 20 save him from the sentence
Of ono year at the penal farm is par
tcularly stronE.
I'm the meanwhile four detectives
~ Indianapolis are constantly en-
Gagged i'm trying 20 recover stolen
ears and break up the stealing
which has grown SO prevalent that
from four 10 a dozen cars are taken
from their owners every night in the
capital
Coming close on the disclosures
that prisoners sent Co the penal
- farm are not always there when in
Nestigation is made is the announce
ment that George SCide1, of Rich
mond. president Of the board az
trustees OF the state farm has ten
derei his resignation to Gov. Good
rich The usual business reasons
are assigned by Mir Seidel for this
action. but il is reported that he
has been forced Co The conclusion
that there viii some time be a com
pIctc investigation OF che manner I'm
which judgments OF the courts have
been set aside by the governor and
he does not care TO be held respon-
sibIe for the conditions that the
Governor has compelled the penal