The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-26

boom of any candidates.
They who started the controversy
are: Charles l.. Craig, city controller
of New York, and Federal Judge Jul
Illus NJ, Mayer.
They who are worried about its re-
suit are the politicians who are try
Ing to direct the d~esCinies of the ma
jor political parties.
But the persons most concerned
are you and the other millions of citi-
zens Of the nation. for legal authord-
ties believe the issue of freedom Of
speech and criticism is involved.
Criticised Jurist
Craig, as the financial guardian of
5000, 900 New Workers, cricised the
Federal judge during a heated CON
troversy about a receivership Of the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company.
In a letter TO Public Service Com
missioner Lewis Nixon he wrote:
1T seems to me a monstrous thing
that an order of 81 Federal judge in a
court OF equity should stand be-
tween the public and the truth I'M
der such circumstances"
Federal Judge Mayer construed this
as a reflection on the court. He had
Craig hailed before him. After a
long hearing he adjudged him guilty
of contempt.
Battle in Courts
Then began a battle in the courts
that lasted for four years.
Craig appealed. He secured a writ
Of habeas corpus from Judge Martin
r. Manton. But the United States at
torney appealed to the Circuit Court
which sustained Judge Mayer, hold
ing that a lower court had no right
to grant writs of habeas corpus in
such cases.
Finally the case came up before the
Supreme Court, and there, in the court
Of tina resort. Craig lost out.
Enemies Defend Craig
Then the storm broke. Former enc
mier Of Craig came out to defend
him; newspapers that had rarely ever
sided with him took up his cause;
jurists and lawyers Of note rallied to
his support.
Some of them advocate the passage
Of an act by Congress to prevent
Craig's commitment. Some want
Judge Mayer to relent. Others look
for a way out by presidential pardon.
But Craig himself isn't very hope
full. He is ready to spend his Chris
mas IN the Essex County On. J.) Jail,
where Federal prisoners from these
parts are held for short terms.
His wife is arranging TO REM an
apartment near the jail, so that she
viii be able to be with him every
day.
Politicians Worried
Meanwhile political leaders are wor-
RED. If Coolidge pardons Craig It
may be interpreted by some as a slap
at the Federal courts. II Coolidge
doesn't pardon him, some fear that
New York will be lost to the Repub.
licans during the next campaign.
Representative F. Fl. La Guardia,
who is normally a political foe of
Craig. has announced hat he will in
troduce a bill into Congress on Dec.
8 to prevent Craig's going to Jail.
IF under the present law 1t be-
comes impossible for a municipal Off
cial in the course Of his official duties
to communicate frankly and fully on
matters pertaining to the city, to an
other official, 1t is time that we have
legislation protecting public officials"
he says.
Power Is Abused
Hope that Judge Mayer himself
might reconsider is gone, And Craig
won't recant.
"a Federal judges power, to hail
before himself and to Jail any munich
pal officer VINO incurs his il.will,"
says Craig. "ofers entirely too much
opportunity for abuse Of power to be
tolerated by the American people.
THE possession of such power is
tantamount to the suppression of
proper criticism and a free press.
ut Is calculated to intimidate and
put In jeopardy of Jail philosophical
citizens, reporters, editorial writer's
n all others whose duty it is to
fairly present and freely comment