The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-09-18
Our Own Secret Police

should make darkest Russia enVlous'
The extent and scope of this system can
not even be surmised but more evidence OF
the extent to which it operates is coming to
light daily as the investigation of extra legal
activities continues.
The latest branch of the secret police to
be revealed is group the size of which has
not been disclosed, of assistant secretaries OF
State" equipped with complimentary
badges"
The secretary Of State is the head of the
State motor police department, legally con-
stituted group of paid State employees charged
with the task Of enforcing the States motor
vehicle laws.
But the fact has now been revealed that
the secretary of State is the head of another
group of officers, group Of secret police
These secret police, it is explained, are some
of the State officials and group of reputable
citizens given police powers. By what right
the secretary of State makes policemen out OF
private citizens is not known.
Nothing could be more dangerous to any
community than the promiscuous granting OF
nolice powers. Nothing could be more danger
Gus than secret police system such as that
in existence in Indiana. The secret ponce de-
partment of the secretary of State is not the
only one operating in Indiana. 1t is simply one
of several such organizations.
The primary duty of any police depart
ment is to protect innocent citizens. Baslcly,
that is the only duty of any police department
IL. how tn n
diana that law abiding citizens actually are
afraid of some of the branches of our so-called
police system.
MANY innocent persons are afraid to drive
on country roads at night, not because they
are afraid of being molested by bandits but
because they are afraid of being molested by
someone wearing badge! There is reason TO
believe that their fears well founded.
Let's take look at the police organiza-
ton. secret and otherwise, that operates IN In
diana Here are some of the groups that are
likely to stop your car and search 1T or pos
sibly do worse:
The horse thief detectives, semi-secret
organization reported to be composed OF
thousands of men. They are organized under
an anCl6HU anu quSSblOuoOio A"" u0'A6AN~
for the sole purpose of permitting farmers
to protect themselves against horse thieves,
who molested them in the old days
The deputy secretaries of state, Sc
cret organization of unknown strength, or
ganized under no law at all.
sheriffs and their deputies. The dep
uties are reported to be numerous in Marion
1ia NOT
know who is a deputy sheriff.
Constables and deputies These are
small-fry Office holders whose chief activities
consist of attempting to make fees for them
selves and their bosses, the justices OF the
peace Usually they have little or no regard
for legal rights of citizens.
The State motor police. This is legally
constituted organization whose sole duty Is
the enforcement of the State motor laws.
The Federal prohibition department.
This is legally constituted organization
charged with enforcement of Federal pro-
hibition laws
The city police. This organization is
legally constituted and charged with enforce
ment of the laws and the protection of citi-
zens.
So far as we know at the present time, this
list covers fairly we'll the police authorities of
Indiana with the exception of game wardens,
deputy fire marshalls, private detectives, mer-
chant policemen, and minor groups of this
type.
Nothing could be designed that would re-
suit in more lawiessness than an array OF Off
cial, semiofficial and unofficial police such as
we have in Indiana. Of course, police protec-
ton is needed in any civilized community. But
Indiana has gone far beyond the necessities of
police protection and law enforcement 1t has
gone so far in this direction that no citizen is
safe. 1t has gone so far that laws are con-
stantly being violated in the name of law en-
forcement. 1t has imposed system of abuse
and tyranny that is almost unbelievable in
free State