The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-09

Springfield, Ill, July 9.-Unlted
Press)-"Inside" politics in llhnois
today stands on the brink OF a 81
gantic expose-an expose tnat
would cast its stencil from one end
of the state to the other and might
even drift into the national pollt-
ical arena.
With Governor Len Small fighting
mad over the calling of a special
grand Jury to consider certain OF
lis acts and Attorney General Ed
ward ]. Brundage still raging over
the cut in his appropriations, all in
dications pointed to a fight to the
finish.
Such a fight could have but one
result-exposition of the true, un-
der-the-surfac story of Illinois pol
itics as it has been played for the
last decade.
Both Expect to Win.
Persons close to Attorney Ger-
eraI Brundage declared today the
states legal talent is too wise a
politician to go into any fight re
does not expect to win. On the
other hand the state executive ap-
parently knew what he was doing
when he cut the attorney generals
appropriation, his friends say, ana
also is confident of victory IN the
coming battle.
If both sides persist in their pres
ent determination, the Illinois po-
l.tical arena will be the scene oil
the most bitter battle in its history
The grand jury which meets al
1:30 Monday afternoon to 1nVestl-
gate charges of conspiracy to de-
fraud the state out of interest
money against Governor Small, and
possibly Lieutenant Governor Fred
Sterling, will go fully into the op-
Grafton of the state treasurer's OF
flee since 1915. Governor Small
Lieutenant Governor Sterling, State
Auditor Russell and the present
treasurer have held possession
since that time.
State Treasurer Miller of East st
Louis called the attorney general
attention to certain alleged lrregu
Iarities in the office when he tool
charge
Old Charge Revived.
During the last primary elecuoI
there was considerable talk of at
tacking Governor Small for his fail
ure to return to the state the inter
est money alleged to have been du'
from state funds. The charge wal
made that Small did not turn il
$4,000 until 1920, though his tern
as state treasurer expired in 1913
No action was taken at that time
The cutting of the Brundage ap
propriation famed the smoulder1nt
Goals to a fame and resulted in th'
calling of the grand jury yester
day.
1t has been common talk abou
the state capitol for some month!
that the state treasurer's Office wa
worth 100000 a year in addition
to the salary of $4,000. Conse
ouently political competition Tor th'
place always has been keen.
Governor Small and Andrew Rus
sci each have held the place twice
s1.OOO.OOO Interest Withheld.
1t was said today the grand jur!
will be presented evidence that up
wards of $1,000 in interest ha
heen withheld from the state sine
1915. ,
State Treasurer Edward c. Nil
Ter, who is said to have placed tn
evidence in the hands of Attorne,
General Brundage, is in East 81
Louis but will be here next Monda.
to appear before the grand jury.
A safety deposit vault in lo:a
bank also is being guarded Thi
box is said to contain evidence t
be presented to the grand jury
Whether it is in the name OF IN
present treasurer or OF some othe
official could not be learned.