Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-23

suit is based alleges that some applica-
tions in the First precinct Of the Fifth
ward are duplicates in that it appears
the names of some of the applicants are
the same on two applications bearing
different numbers.
PROSECUTOR FAILS
TO INVESTIGATE.
Efforts to weed out" the alleged i'll
legal and false registrations by litiga.
tlon in the courts was necessary be-
cause Prosecutor Claris Adams and his
deputy, William Evans. Republican can
didate for county prosecutor, failed to
conduct grand Jury investigation fol-
lowing a charge made before Superior
Judge t. j. Moll, Room 5, that there
were numerous false registrations filed
with County Auditor Leo X. Fesler.
Prior to the last registration. Regi-
Maid Sullivan, Democratic county chair
man, was compelled to obtain a writ of
mandate to compel Auditor Fesler to
allow Sullivan and his assistants to ex-
anime the registration records for the
purpose of detecting fraud and irregu-
larities
In his petition for mandate, Chair
man Sullivan charged that he was def
nitely informed and fully believes and
charges the fact to be that IN instances
too numerous to be set out fraudulent
registrations existed in the Sixth pre-
cince of the First. ward; Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth of the Fourth
ward; the Fist, Second. Third and Fifth
If the Fifth ward; the seventh, Eighth
and Ninth Of the Third ward, and in rhe
Second, Third and Fourth Of the Sixth
ward.
DECLARES APPLICATIONS
FALSE AND FRAUDULENT.
Sullivan. in his sworn application for
mandate. declared that many Of the
applications for registration now In the
custody of Auditor Fesler are false and
fraudulent" because the voters whose
names appear ON the applications did
not sign them and tina. many appllca.
tions ''purport to be signed by various
voters in said precincts, but that they
are not so signed"
This serious charge, as far as the court
record before Judge Moll IL concerned.
remains unchalienged and in the face Of
this exposure the prosecutors office
made an attempt to summon Chairman
sullivan before the grand jury or, In any
way known at this time, attempt to In
ysstigate the registrations to determine
II there were fraud and Irregularities
The failure of Prosecutor Adams, the
grand jury, the Criminal Court ana
Deputy Prosecutor Evans to purge the
registration records Of fraudulent april
cations compelled those desiring fair
and clean election to resort TO the courts
TO protect the integrity Of the ballot-box.
OBTAINED MANDATE
TO EXERCISE RIGHTS.
Chairman Sullivan was forced into
court several weeks ago 10 obtain a man
date requiring Auditor Fesler TO permit
Sullivan to exercise his constitutional
right to inspect the registration applica-
lions for the purpose OF eliminating any
fraudulent applications.
Chairman Sullivan was compelled 70
place experts IN the Office Of the county
auditor to'examine separately and verify
every application made for registration.
The result Of this careful investigation.
Independent Of the prosecutors Office, has
resulted in action being taken today to
purge the records OF the alleged frAudu-
lent and Irregular registration abplica.
tions and to restrain the various election
boards from permitting the names on the
alleged fraudulent and irregular applica
lions from being voted at the next else
ton.
For days counsel and the expert ex-
aminers have been busy examining the
registration records for the purpose OF
detecting fraud
Much attention was paid 70 numerous
registrations In the Fourth precinct Of
the Fifth ward. where a total registration
Of !, 202 has been announced by the county
auditor.
Indications are that the action taken to-
day viii pave the way for a sweeping In
vestigation OF all registration records on
file In the auditors Office at the court
house
SUIT CONTEMPLATE
OVER VOTING MACHINES.
Another court action may, be instituted
to compel the majority members OF the
Marion County board OF election commits.
sioners TO place at least one machine IN
each voting precinct on election day.
County Clerk Richard Sipe and Jack.
son Carter are the Republican commits
sieners and Woddburn Mason is the
Democratic member
Mr.. Sipe announced few days ago that
because or the insistent demand OF Mr.
Mason voting machine would be placed
In each precinct.
At that time Mr.. Mason announced
that the State election commissioners had
sustained his claim that the law was
mandatory in its provisions that at least
one machine should be placed in each
precinct when possible.
Since Sipe announced that one machine
would be placed In each precinct. Slpe
and Carter have changed their position
until they will require eleven precincts TO
vote nnflra7v IN Au4trallan haIIofp In