San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-29

lOEmef COHSfesslIlJn, hhO vi do tue SicHt
power behind the porlticJi machine OF
Mayor William Hale Thompson, and
~ others were named in Il blanket in.
ilctmcnt re,u;i:cd in court today By
.he special grand jury investigating
school board affairs.
Virtus RohEi, Lundin's nephew, also
was among The indicted men, who in
Guided nuinDar indicted previously By
tn. same grard jury III connection with
he administration of the school funds
and property.
The indictment contains blanket
conspiracy charge and contains "A
counts.
The true bill was returned before
Chief Justice Michael L. Mckinley, of
the criminal court, who set the bonds
of the defendants at $4,000.
Lundin is said to be in Cuba and Mr..
Rohm was recently reported TO be in
Los Angeles.
Rohm is in the insurance business,
and it was reported that he and Lundin
were partners for n time and did an
enormous business in school insurance.
1t was reported that this insurance
business was barred before the special
grand jury and that it was in connec-
ton with the insurance deals that the
grand jury acted in connection with the
case of Mr.. Lundin and his nephew.
Many others named in the indict-
ment were past or present employees
of the school board. The grand jury
has been busy for weeks in the school
investigation.
During the eight years Of the admin
istration of Mayor Thompson, who re
Gently announced that he would not be
candidate for reelection, Lundin has
been Known as the "silent boss" of the
Thompson political organization, al
though for nearly as many years he has
steadfastly declared that he was out OF
politics p
Goes to Cuba, Is RumOr.
Soon after the grand jury investiga-
ton began, Mr.. Lundin went to Roches-
ter, Mimi, where he announced he was
under treatment. He wrote letter TO
States Attorney Grove, saying that he
expected to return to the jurisdiction of
the grand jury and would inform him
when he returne.
Mr.. Lundin, so far is as known, did
not return to Chicago, and late reports
have said he was in Cuba.
Lundin, who referred to himself as
"the poor Swede," is credited with hav.
ing been the genius of the Thompson
administration, which many politicians
say was the greatest political machine
ever established in Chicago and ILL
nois. With the retirement of the mayor
and the absence and indictment of
Lundin and other changes in alignment
the machine is now reported to be
breaking up.
At the height of his power, "The
poor Swede," who, by silence and denial
that he harbored any political ambitions
for himself, surrounded himself with
mystery but was reputed to be the die
tator of an organization that controlled
SIS,000,000 year in patronage and
10000 political jobs in Chicago alone.
In 1921. Lundin was reputed TO be
the most powerful factor behind city,
park, school and county administration
and was said TO WELD great influence
in Governor Len Small's state adminira
ton.
Machine Breaks Up.
The beginning of the breakup of the
machine started year ago. when every
candidate in the Lundin-ThOmpSon
slate was defeated in the Cook county
judicial elections.
Recently, factions opposed 10 the
Thompson organization united on Ar
thur c. Luedcr, postmaster of Chicago,
as a candidate for mayor. 4 bitter
primary campaign was in prospect I'M
til Mayor Thompson announced he
would not run again.
Lundin was born in the parish of
West Tollstad, Ostergotland, Sweden,
May is. 1865. His parents took him
to Minneapolis when he was small
boy. The date of his arrival in Chi
ago is not known, but his first money
was earned selling newspapers.
An old photograph tells the story of
his first venture into business. I'll
shows Lundin. in the garb Of street
spell-binder. seated in a rickety wagon
emblazoned with signs for Lundin's
Juniper Ade," a wholesome. delicious
incompatible, refreshing. foaming, but
beverage"
A Picturesque Figure.
The driver was tall. gaunt youth,
with n cowboy hat of colossal proper
tons topping a mass of yellow hair.
while his eyes were shaded by huge
amber glasses. A long gull-tailed coat
of funeral black. white waist-coat OF
evening dress cut. broad-bosomed white
shirt. flowing. black tie and roll collar
completed his adornment.
Two negroes. drumming guitars.
completed the business equinment of the |
Juniper AIDE" salesman. Under Il fam
ing to political power. His organization
soft southern melodies. and
Lundin ballyhooIrg. his soft drink bust
ness was brisk. end the odd figure be-
came familiar in many parts of Chi
-aeo.
At that time, William T.orimer, latpl
sent to the Urited States Senate oily
10 be ousted ~ his colleagues. was ris-
ng political r0wer. His organization
Tas weak IN Tie northwest SIDE. and
.omr one toll h;-n CT Lurdin.
Ir-imer stut for the young yelIow-l