Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-21
G. A. r REUNION IS ON IN FULL SWING
Mr.. FESLER OUT
TOO FAR, SAYS
COURTS ORDER
Must Let Democratic Chair
man See Registration
Applications.
..1OPEN FOR ANY VOTER

Holding that County Auditor Leo
K. Fesler was mistaken" in his at
titude regarding the public's right to
the registration applications for the
coming election, Judge T. ]. Moll Of
Superior Court, Room 5, today
issued a permanent mandatory
order compelling Fesler to permit
Reginald H. Sullivan, Democratic
county chairman, and his assistants
i to inspect all registration applica-
tions.
The mandatory order was issued on
petition fled by Chairman Sullivan,
in which Mr. Sullivan claimed he had
information that there were many false
Il and fictitious registrations on file ana
s. that Mr.. Felser had refused him the
right to inspect the applications
Judge Mol. in discussing the proceed
Il ings, stated the county auditor was mis-
taken in his attitude regarding the pub
kIic's access to registration applications.
ANY voter has the right to inspect the
publications. from the time that the ap-
lication is made and up to the election
Fhen the applications are returned to
he various precincts.
'sSince an individual voter has this
tight. it is only reasonable that a county
*S chairman. representing thousands Of
oters, has the same right" said Judge
foil.
TTORNEY DEMANDS
RIFLING' STOPPED.
Attorney Charles C. Cox, representing
hartman Sullivan in urging the grant
Of he mandate
We have been trifed with and we
ant this trifiing stopped.
The minute that a voter files an ap-
ication 1t becomes a public record and
Ie auditor must permit any citizen to
vamine that record.
we have information that there are
any false registrations and We said in
be complaint that many applications
pre- the names of persons who had not
gistered.'
Cox contended it was necessary to make
Rrtain that Fesler has all the applica-
Bns listed before the election.
Mr.. Fesler has no interest in these
piications except that given to him by
w, and the statutes say nothing about
zssler making lists of the registrations. "
Mr. Cox said: ''Ms Fesler has said be
nnot complete the lists because he is
nable TO get the help and there is no
son for that.
We want to know that he will have
ISL lists completed in the time pre-
ibed after the next registration
Any citizen has the right to inspect
records to see that the election is not
taminated by fraud"
EFENSE ATTEMPTED
HENDRICKSON.
Harry Hendrickson, Republican coun-
chairman, attempted to defend Fesler's
bon in a morning paper and when Mr..
attempted TO refer to the printed
atement, Mr.. Hendrickson protested
ainst Cox making a political talk"
Mr.. Hendrickson, who is also county
orney.- stated that the only question
Folved was one Of administration OF
auditors office"
Te attempted to show the court that
was merely a question Of whether en-
81 yes of Mr.. Fesler were 70 be inter
pied by the public coming in and de-
nding to see the records while the
IS ara in preparation.
Iendrickson concluded his remarks by
ting that the auditor had completed"
lists, which now were ready for
&sz4blic inspection.
'Iendrickson maintained that there was
q need for the court issuing a manda-
y order, but on the request Of At
81 ney Cox Judge Mon granted the order
snpelling Fesler to permit free access
the registration applications.
M fesler's first legal move in court was
- lille an answer to Sullivsn's complaint
81 Fesler maintained that 1t was his
y to make lists of the registrations
II give each county chairman a copy
rhe auditor maintained that since there
s. Ire more than $4,000 registrations made
Continued Page Two)