Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-24
ov.Small Blalnes
Traction Barons
For Indictments
Charges Grand Jury Action Is
Attempt to Prevent Calling
Of Special Session of
Legislature. :

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Chicago, July Ex-Governor Abra'
ham bennington Small, who is under
indictment in Sangamon county
came to Chicago today to speak at a
political picnic given by Mayor
Thompson and the address by the
governor became the most important
event on the program. The park
was crowded to the extreme limit
because of the widespread interest i'll
the fight to convict the executive
and people were anxious to hear
what he had to say IN defense.
He charged that the indictment
was an effort on the part OF certain
traction and other 'barons' i'll Chi
cago. to frighten him into dropping
his plan to call a special session OF
the legislature to reconsider the >
cent carfare and the tax commission
bill.
Feeling that it was my duty to
do everything in my power to give
you an opportunity to vote tor >
cent fare and to place the hidden
millions of the vastly rich upon the
tax rolls, have given notice that /
shall call special session of the leg
islature next November or Decem-
Der for the consideration of these
two great problems, although | know
full we'll that my indictment last
Wednesday was intended to frighten
me and prevent me from making that
call in your interest
Confers With Mayor.
Immediately after his arrival in the
city, Governor Small went into con-
ference with Mayor Thompson and
other friends. 1t is said the use OF
the militia to prevent the arrest OF
the governor was discussed at this
meeting. 1t also was said that two
programs were considered. One was
for the governor to submit to arrest
and Immediately begin a fight for
change of venue from Sangamon
county. This would De made on the
plea that the community there is
hostile to him and that fair trial is
impossible because OF that prejudice.
The other procedure would be tor
the defense to seek Judge, who
would issue writ of habeus corpus
to prevent the governor from sub
hitting to arrest.
Developments Tuesday.
Springfield, Ill.,, July 23. - The
state capital secured temporary relief
today from the tense situation which
has kept its population on its toes,
when Governor Small, under indict-
ment for embezzling public funds,
went to Chicago to attends a picnic
given by Mayor Thompson: From
Chicago he will go TO his home in
kankakee to remain until Monday.
Tuesday has been set by Judge
f. S. Smith as the date upon which
the governor will decide whether or
not he will submit to arrest. Those
best acquainted with Judge Smith
say he will let the lay take its
course, which means that # the gov
ernor does not submit to arrest, or
appear voluntarily in court to answer
the indictments, the papers will be
turned over to the sheriff for serv-
ice.
Likewise, those close to the gov
ernor insist he will not recede from
his stand in defying the powers of
the courts. 1t is believed he has ar
ranged with Adiutant General Dick
son to call out the militia on a mo-
ment's notice, should the capiases
now in the hands of the circuit court
clerk be given to Sheriff Henry Mes
ter for service.
Should the governor be successful
in his battle to keep out of the
courts, it is possible to bring the
other two trials. both on the $780,
600 embezzlement indictment against
Fred Sterling and the governor.
Governor Small would, of necessity,
become part of the court records
at the trials of Sterling and Curtis
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