Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-29
FRAUD CHARGE
CAUSES LAUGH
IN PLAZA FIGHT
Memorial Opponent Welcomes
Court Fight on Petition De-
handing Referendum.

Both sides to the war memorial plaza
controversy were sQuaring away for a
fight today. The proponents Of the plan
lead by the Marion County Council of
the American Legion were making ar
engagements to map out a plan OF cam
paign at a dinner to be held tonight in
the Chamber Of Commerce.
Opponents Of the project, who we're in
struFnental in having a petition fled call
ing On the city council TO order a refer
endum On whether bonds shall be issued
for the acquisition of the memorial tract
outlined partially their campaign object
ives In statements. They are proceeding
on the assumption that the election will
be held. firm in the belief that the pc
titioas win withstand all possible legal
attacks and will be recognized by the
cIty council with a mandate for a special
referendum
Attorneys interested In the movement
said that activity Of the demonstrators
probably would be confined to dissemin-
alton Of Informative matter, in which es-
pecial stress would he laid upon the need
for rigid economy in all governmental
undertakings. Joseph Collier, plaza op-
ponent, said that the demonstrators
would not follow the lead Of the pro- plaza
forces in organizing workers by pre-
ciIcts
such a course would reduce this con-
troversy to the level OF the usual political
struggle in which the merits of case play
less part than prejudice in the settle
ment," he said. sc intend to make IT
possible for every voter in the city to
learn just what vote for such an ex-
penditure will mean. That will be the
extent of our campaign"
LACGHES AT
FRAUD CHARGES.
Mr.. Collier laughingly waved aside
questions concerning charges OF fraud in
the and-pIaza petition.
Il can't see what those fellows are
driving at he said. This petition
would never have been filed if it was
not all right. II is certain to stand any
sort Of scrutiny either by the city
council or by a court. Advocates of the
plaza will only create the impression that
the yare playing the baby act If they
continue to rant about alleged irregulari-
ties in the petition. In gathering a
petition Of that size it was inevitable
that some earnest but poorly informed
persons would sign with a lead pencil
or do something else that might afford
technical ground for opposition.
THE advocates Of the plaza knew that
when they slipped a Joker into the leg
islative act providing that the referendum
they were promising. could only be OBJ
tanned by remOnstrance. Ii is perfectly
clear that they have been bent on spend
ing the peoples money without giving
the people a chance to approve or disap-
prove since this movement was begun. An
election is going to be held. II they
think they could gain anything by court
action they may as well try In the
meantime their charges Of fraud are IN
warranted insults against the public
spirited men who are seeking to give the
people a right to be heard"
CITY ATTORNEY
TOO OFFTCIOUS.
Not more than three hOundred names
appear on sheets of the petition not d.
rectly headed by the remonstrance. &C
cOrding to C. W. Miller. a director of the
petition movement Mr.. Miller pointed
out that the petition carries 1900 sigma
lures more than is required by law. lie
suggested that publication OF the SOt
names would soon reveal whether any
fraud was perpetrated in that connection.
But I want to say now" said Mr..
Miller. that We are not greatly con-
cerned about the talk of throwing out
pages. The men who are discussing
fraud so freely have no more to do with
throwing out pages than I have. The
city legal department is very officious in
this matter. This petition is none OF
their business. The document is ad-
dressed to the city council, and that
body has solicited no assistance what
ever from the city attorney up to this
time"