The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-10-20
He EXCLUDED
AMERICANS
FROM HALL
ReppaAddresseSCrOWd In Hun
garian, Urging Them to Sup
port a Ticket Composed
Entirely of Foreign
Born Candidates.
(By the Political Reporterl

The TINES has been charged BY
]. K. Reppa with outright prevarica-
ton. Mr.. Reppa and his official organ
have said that The Times lied when it
printed the story that he had gone 10
Crown Point for aid in his campaign
and had been refused. Hon John Xii
hgrew. county republican chairman.
and the Hon. George NJ. Poland. coun-
ty auditor. have said that they did not
decline to help Mr.. Reppa.
WHY TEEY CAN'T SUPPORT zM
The Times knows that It told the
truth when IT said that Reppa was re-
buffed when he called for help at the
courthouse in Crown Point which is
the headquarters of the Lake county re-
publican organization. And moreover u
knows why 1t is impossible for any
true republican, cognizant Of the facts
Of Mr. Reppa's political career TO en-
dorse hts candidacy.
HERE IS DOCUMENTARY PROOF
The Times IN this article will show
documentary proof OF its contention
that Mr.. Reppa does not represent the
principles Of the republican party and
that he betrayed his party in . shame
ful manner by attempting TO use Il az
cloak for an un-Anericsn purpose
turing the war days OF 1917.
In view of the disclosures which The
Times makes today II Is impossible for
true republicans, having at heart the
aigh ideals and purposes of that party.
o support Mr.. Reppa
In brief the story follows:
AMERICAN Or UH-AnKERIOAN
In February 1917. meeting was held
n Columbia hall for the purpose of
selecting candidates to be endorsed for
he republican primaries IN March OF
that year. According to a plan previous
ly nRde. and to which Mr.. Reppa was
party, nation was made by Andrew
Mermac that all born-Americans be ex-
Guided from the hall and door keepers
be appointed for the purpose of exclud
ng these born Americans from the hall.
he motion carried. Mr.. Reppa voting
or its passage.
The born-Americans and 8 great num-
Der OF naturalized Americans left the
hall. Mr.. Reppa took the platform and
spoke IN Hungarian. his native tongue.
he urged all those present to units in
endorsing ticket to be composed ex-
slusively OF persons Of foreign birth
Mr.. Reppa was q candidate for the
head OF that ticket
THIS HAPPENED IN AN AMERICAN
rTY IN THE PERILOUs YEAR OF
917 WHEN THE UNITED STATES
vAs ALIVE WITH THE PRoPAGAN-
"a OF THE CENTRAL POWERS OF
EUROPE.
Mr.. REPPA PROPOSED TO GIVE
asst CHICAGO A CITY GOVERN
HENT MADE UP OF PERSONS OF
FOREIGN BIRTH TO THE ExCLUs-
ION OF BORN AMERICANS.
That is why patriotic republicans.
NEITHER native born or naturaiized cit
zens cannot support J. X. Reppa for
mayor.
MR.. REPrA BETRAYED PARTY
The Times herewith presents arridav-
is Of responsible East Chicago citizens
vho were at the meeting in question
score OF supporting afidavtts has
been secured.
The affidavit of Teonl II. Grabowski.
president of the American State Bank
y Gary. formerly OF East Chicago:
STATE OF INDIANA, COUNTY OF
LAKE SIS:
TEOFIL H GRABOwsKI, being duly.
sworn upon his oath states: That he Is
President of the American State Bank of
Gary, Indiana; and that during the year
1917, and for several years prior there
o. he was resident and a practicing
awyer of the City of East Chicago, Lake
county. Indiana; that during the month
# February. 1917. he was present at 4
political meeting hall in Columbia hall
n said city of East Chicago; that at
'afd meeting there were present several
hundred citizens Of said city. including
members of various nationalities; that
aid meeting was called for the purpose
4 selecting candidates who were to be
ndorsed at the Republican Primaries to
'e held in the early part OF March.
81 which primary was for the city
lection IN said city; that present at
aid meeting was one John K. Rsppa.
Who IS now the republican nominee for
favor IN the City of East Chicago, Ind
ana
Affiant further states that during the
curse OF said meeting. there was .
reat deal OF excitement and turmoil
nd that he heard a voice in said hall
aake & motion that all Americans be
xcluded from the meeting. and this
ffiant is Informed that the person who
lade such motion that one. Andrew
lermac; that at the time of making
uch q motion, this affiant was Chair
IAN Of the meeting and. as Chairman
Z such meeting. he attempted TO place.
he motion before the meeting. but that
he turmoil and excitement was so in
snse that 1t was impossible to deter
line intelli gently what the result of
he motion was, and this anfant TO-
ether with other persons of Polish
irth, becoming SO disguised with the
curse that the meeting was taking ALL
1T the hall. together with the Ameri-
ans who were present and persons of
arious other nationalities: that at the
me this affiant left the hall about ffty
er cent 600 Of the persons in this hail
lso left. but that the remainder stay
(c7ntinued on page si14