Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-17

man was her attorney. Then he hur-
riedly left the courtroom.
ATTORNEY VOLUNTEERS
SUGGESTION.
Judge Pritchard scarcely had com
pleted an explanation Of why he can not
stop professional bondsmen when Fred
Boniied, attorney, arose and said:
1.-THE court ought to have some testi-
mony on what goes on around here. /
suggest that the court ask Ira Holmes,
Fred Hartman and myself or a few other
attorneys around here who can tell this
court the conditions"
Il can't see where this is soliciting"
said the court, but be sent for Walker.
The statement was like a bombshell
exploding in the Durtroom, and news of
it spread rapidly to the corridors and
turkeys Office.
Turkeys and hangers on around the
Police Court began to appear in the
courtroom.
81 got all the business I want" said
Holmes. land all know is that no bonds
men ever recommend me-"
Then Holmes admitted that he had
stated when asked in Criminal Court
about the combination worked between
the bondsmen worked in relays and that
most OF their business was done through
the morals squad; that when the morals
squad made an arrest bondsman would
ask the morals squad officers the names
Of those arrested and that he would turn
those names over TO another bondsman
who would go to the turkeys office,
ask for the men arrested under those
names, then when granted an interview
with the prisoner would arrange to sign
his bond
BELIEVE BONDSMAN'S
BUSINESS LEGAL.
Holmes expressed It as his opinion that
the professional bondsman's business
legal.
BOniheld said the boudsmen stood on
the landing OF the stairway leading 10
the turkeys office and asked the prison
ers their names as they were lead up the
stairway after being taken from the pa
troll wagons and then the bondsmen
would later appear and ask for those
prisoners. Both Hartman and Boniheld
cited cases OF this kind to the court.
Bonifeld said he had been notified
that three Of his clients had been ar
rested on blind tiger charges and that
he told the turnkey over the telephone
that he would he al police headquar ters
in a few minutes and sign their bonds I:
that when he reached the turkeys
office Bonifeld found Walker, the
bondsman. talking to his clients; that
Walker became angry when not given
the chance to sign the bonds and that
he gave Walker $50 50 be would be sat
isded.
Turnkey Wooley was called before the
court and denied any knowledge IL so
letting on the part Of bondsmen and
said he never listened to the conversa-
ton between bondsmen and prisoners.
The court then suggested 20 the turn
key that he and other turkeys could do
much to halt soliciting by bondsmen.
Judge Pritchard called all the attorneys
ir the courtroom to come forward and rs
fifteen lawyers crowded before him de-
handed II they knew OF any law which
would stop professional bondsmen sign
ing bonds.
SOME SILENT,
SOME SPEAK.
Some attorneys were silent. One spoke
mp and said that with the exception Of
murder and treason that n professional
boudsman had a right to sign a bond II
some other bond he had signed had not
been forfeited and he had refused to pay
the forfeited bond.
1.-The court has a right to stop solicit
ing "a the jail and IN the turkeys Of
flee suggested one attorney.
IT any person can bring me proof
that any bondsman has solicited I will
send the bondsmau 10 jail for contempt
explained Judge Pritchard.
Thomas Whallon former city Judge,
has evidence that would be Of Inherent
20 this court following some iuvestiga-
lions be has made stated Attorney
Hartman.
III he has such evidence this cour.
would he glad to hear it. said Judge
Prltchard
81 guess we can all read between the
lines and know what is going on around
here" suggested Attorney : Ward.
THE closed door would only give spe-
clal privileges to a few" answered
Judge Pritchard and n I suould post
A list Of bondsmeR not accepted on bonds
by this court others would take their
place"
With that explanation the Hnvestlga-
ton ended.