Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-02
SAFETY BOARD
SILENT ABOUT
RAID TIPPING
Refuses to Answer Questions
Regarding Stegemeier
Arrests.
HALLOWEEN IS BLAMED

The attitude in which members Of the
board OF public safety regard the neces-
sity for investigation OF the advance
notice which Stegemeier Brothers, pro-
prletors OF a saloon. restaurant and
gambling joint at 17-19 North Illinois
street, had that raid was to be made
on their place last Saturday morning
was clearly shown IN an interview to-
day.
The raid was made or q search war
rant sworn to by the editor OF the Times.
Several minutes before the police ar
rived tho betting board. which until that
time had been In a conspicuous place for
several weeks. and other matter which
might have constituted evidence, we're
hastily removed.
A. l.. Taggart president, aud Felix
I. McWhirter, member Of the board
eyuded a question regarding the incident
put 10 them by the Times and attempted
70 belittle the effort to clean up immoral
conditions.
TAGGART REFUSES
TO ANSWER QUESTION.
Mr.. Taggart was in the boards pri-
vate office at the city hall when he was
asked whether the board OF safety re.
quires further proof that there is tipping
being done either by some one In the
police department or some one close
enough to some one in the department to
get Information as TO when raids are bo.
Ing made, after the Stegeme!er incident"
Mr. Taggart sat silent until Mr.. Nc
Whittier, Henry Dithmer. Democratic
member Of the board. and attaches en-
tered the room. when he began talking
OF other matters.
The board arose 10 go into the outer
office and Mr.. Taggart was asked:
Then. there is nothing doing on that.
Mr.. Taggart?"
The board president hesitatcd and then
inquired:
Now, what was your question ?"
The question was repeated for the
benefit of the whole board.
EVASION OF QUESTION
IS ATTEMPTED.
Il don't quite catch your point: doesn't
that question preclude an answer" Mr..
Taggart said.
The question was elaborated and both
Mr.. Taggart and Mr.. McWhirter evaded
II again, Mr.. Taggart asserting that II
he would attempt to enter into any nr-
gument on the point he did not be-
lieYe 1t would get in the paper the way
he said It,
He was assured his words would be
taken down exactly and would aDpear
that way.
To which Mr. Taggart replied he be-
lieved the words would be taken down
and delivered TO the Daily Times but
said he did not believe his argument
would appear as he made It,
After further contention over the form
OF the question, Mr.. Taggart finally said
the board had no other evidence than the
Iiines statement, and all he might say IL
a question had been asked him such as
to permit of such an answer would be
that he might possibly believe there had
been some tipping done by some one who
might have had some advance informa-
ton from the evidence as presented In
the Times" but added again the board
had had no other evidence presented.
TIMES MAN PLACED
AT BOARDS DISPOSAL.
He was told the Times had a man
watching the Stegemeier place before
and during the raid. that this man knew
all that took place and that he would be
available for questioning by the board
should the board care to call upon him.
How many men did you have there?"
Mr.. Taggart asked.
"One. SO far as l know there might
have been more, but l know we had
one" was the reply.
yes, one." said the safety board
Continued on Page Eighty