South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-25
THE IMPOSSIBLE JELLISON.

nominee for prosecuting attorney.
The office which he now holds and which he
again seeks is probably most important upon the
ticket for it can furnish the basis Of the greatest
respect for courts or 10 destroy that general
regard for law and order which IL essential to the
well being Of the community.
The prosecutor who sees his duty in3ted 20
the trial or such cases are brought TO his ottce
Is hardly IN step with the progress Of the times
or capable giving tho best service to me puoHc-
The prosecutor who IL client when laws are
raErantly violated content win the statement that
ne Y not interested until ne sees man In CUSTODY
does not rende- the full service which should be
expected
The prosecutor who 90 conducts his office that
the venaI the shrewd. the grating mind may 90 10
continuous or prospective law breakers and sell the
inactivity office IS hardly the sort TO De re-
elected-and this Just what happened in the case
OF the impossible Mr.. Jeuison.
In order that Republicans may be informed OF
what happened they should know these rather sor-
did facts:
In the city OF Chicago concern not interested
in morals makes eliot machines which IT places IN
resorts catering the vices Of individuals generally
in bootlegging places.
These are gambling devices in open violation OF
the law intended TO fleece the unwary and are
highly profitable 20 the owners and TO the keepers
OF the places in which they operate
This concern secured agent IN South Bend
about one year ago and his activity resulted in
placing some OF these machines.
There was an arrest fl one OF the places and
then this agent an old and former aeauain-
lance OF the prosecutor. sought protection
lust how ne found his way the office Of one
Yoserb wvpiszynsld justice OF the peace and
democrat. is divulged. but he landed there and
made his bargain
There was a haggling over the amount OF money
20 be paid for protection" but finally It was agreed
ho ATVrno
over each week the justice. there would be no
more arrests and no prosecutions.
W.vpiszvnsld has admitted that he received this
percentage as long the machines remained in this
city. calling it a retaining fee as an attorney.
Think Of that you who lawyers Accepting
part Of the profits a crime fee and arranging
for his pay on the basis OF the amount OF loot.
You might think that public prosecutor when
furnished with the fun proof OF this condition. with
The fact that his office had sold" 20 the law
breakers for months. that another had received
rather formidable for seeing that his office
was not used against violators. would have burned
with indignation. at least that the collector would
have been brought before the bar association TO
answer for his peculiar ethics IS accepting such
fees"
That condition existed for months Mr.. JeliIson
saws that me received none OF the money collected
Let It go that he did not. But the result was the
same as II ne had received the most or all OF tt
Tor the arrangement did not end because there was
am, prosecution did not cease this Chicago
OUTFIT became dissatisfied. the most satisfied
client that this man probably had He had
pror1fsed that there would be prosecutions.
There were no prosecutions
The sums collected from these machines in the
several months they operated into several thous-
ands Of dollars
The local agent. methodical man. kept an accur-
ate account He turned 20 wypiszynski every
week from $3.50 to 500 as the 80 per cent furnished
for his alleged protection.
Every man who had a machine IN his place knew
that this sum was taken out payment for pro
tectior." ii was taken out when the machines were
opened each week, before they got their share.
The machines went out finally Something slipped
and couple were seized. The trouble came over
The inability OF che concern to get Its machines
back and il decided that the storm about TO
break and gathered 10 its property in advance.
Then came to south BEND a who. when cal
HnE on wypiszyus represented himself as the agent
q the concern To him was made the same promise
or ability furnish protection II the machines were
returned 70 this city He offered TO handle every
one concerned assuring this that there no
necessity Of seeing the prosecutor rs he had that
situation well IN hand.
The offer was made 20 AIr Jelson to furnish him
with the affidavit OF this man. who read in the
office OF the justice OF peace letter he had sent
10 the Chicago machine company urging them 10
All OF these facts the admissions of the local
agent the confession OF wyplszynslSi the memoran-
dun book showing the collections week by week.
we're offered TO Mr. Jellison evidence for such
action as he might wish to take
At first vehement in his protest that he had re-
eelved no money and would forever check the activ-
ties OF men who offered TO sell the influence OF his
office his ardor cooled
There was no prosecution OF the collector OF
protection" money effort 10 bring him into
court no efforr to curb the practice OF arranging
fees with prospective law breakers basis OF
partnership in the profits OF crime.
Instead Mr.. Jcuison gave his attention to that
personal pursuit votes in the primary. seeking
reelection. although protesting that the office
itself Is a sacrifice.
Mr.. Jenson should DO relieved Of making any
further sacrifice.
This county is entitled 20 whose policy and
whose activities are not OF character where any