The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-30
TILE NWANAPoIIs TIMEs

known he was going to speak his
mind at La Grange. There was moth
ing left for the Governor, who shared
the platform with Roosevelt, but to
fall in line. The Governor said the
things Stephenson was saying need
ed looking into, and he was going
to appoint a committee of leading
citizens to look into them, even to
go to Stephenson and let him tell
them the worst
What the World Missed
Roosevelt followed with a word of
praise for the Governor-a word of
praise which he had prepared before
the meeting. The world may never
know what the fiery Roosevelt might
have said had the Governor not spo-
ken out.
The breaking of the Governors
silence as the signal for leaders OF
the Indiana Republican party to
rush into print with demands that
the thing be investigated. If there
was corruption in Indiana they GER
tainly> wanted to know about it.
Crossed Signals
The signals got crossed some
where, however. Senator Watson,
in Kokomo that evening. first put
out a statement that the Stephenson
affair was a family fuss and that
he never mixed in domestic quarrels.
Later that evening the Senator with
drew the first statement and put out
another, to the general effect that
If there was corruption in the State,
out with it.
But the Governor was spared the
lob Of selecting some one TO inter
view Stephenson. The Marion Coun-
ty grand jury, instructed by Judge
James A. Collins, took up the JOB
of investigating. The Governor an
nounced he would leave it up to the
grand jury. Attorney General Ar
thur l.. Gilliom went TO assist
Prosecutor William Fl. Remy, who
was risking political decapitation at
the hands of the George V. Coffin Re
publican county machine, by daring
to undertake the probe.
A Judge Steps In
The fight of the editors to get to
Stephenson went on. The Governor
did not bulge. Finally, Superior
Judge Sidney S. Miller Of Indian
apolis, who is not part Of the Colin
machine. issued a forthwith subpoe-
ma ordering Stephenson brought into
his court for questioning as to re-
ported hidden assets in a hearing
upon a Judgment against him. Ste
phenson owed a large sum to tai
loring company from which he had
ordered Governor Jackson's inau-
gurai clothes. tuxedo and full dress),
Warden DAILY, advised by the att
torney general. chose TO defy the
judge.
Suddenly there came an order
from the grand jury that Stephenson
be produced before it at a. m on
Thursday morning.
Drama i'm the Making
Judge Miller issued a writ Of
habeas corpus requiring the warden
to bring Stephenson before him at
., Wednesday afternoon.
There ensued queer race.
Without warning Stephenson was
rushed to Indianapolis and before
the grand jury Wednesday morn
ing, before there had been any OPP
pOrtunity to interview Stephenson
in the open court of Judge Miller.
Then Stephenson was taken before
Judge Miller. He refused to answer
questions. He was rushed back TO
prison. For not a single instant
were reporters permitted to get close
enough TO him to ask him questions.
He was taken to and from the court.
house and the Jail by way Of the tun'
mel under Washington st.
Several days before Stephenson
was brought TO indianapolis. how
ever. John Maroney. Indianapolis
operative of the Federal Department
Of Justice. saw Stephenson in prison.
The meeting was secret. and news Of
It did not leak out for several days.
But from that meeting Stephenson's
demeanor had changed. He became
silent.
Senator Watson denied sending
Maroney into the prison. 1t was adj
mitted in Washington, however. that
Maroney was sent on orders from
the Department of Justice through
Oscar r. Luhring. formerly Evans
vile congressman. now head of the
criminal division, Department of
Justice. and Watson henchman.
Muzzle Is Effective
The forces interested in keeping
Stephenson silent have kept re-
porters away from him to this day.
Not until last Saturday did anyone
originally interested in "uncorking"
him get to talk with him. Then
Adams, viii o. Feudtner, Rushville
editor, an associate of Adams.
Deputy Prosecutor William II. Sheaf-
fer. and Court Asher, former lieu
tenant of Stephenson. were sent 10
the prison by the grand jury.
Adams reported that Stephenson
told them he feared for his life if he
talked
Before the uproar Stephenson had
more or less pleasant employment in
the prison chair factory. Adams
learned he had since been placed in
solitary confinement. Other men,
bers of the party told of the hauting
fear written across Stephenson's
features and his holding his stomach
as If in pain. He had changed ire
mendously from the day, shortly be-
fore, when he had appeared in Indi-
annapolis.
A Fascinating Game
Meanwhile a fascinating game Of
chess for the possession Of the
documents which it is believed win
prove Stephenson's charges was go
ing on up and down Indiana. into