The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-12
COMPT ETTNG THE RECORD


probe of the charges of graft corruption and bribery
which were reayed by Thomas Adams on what, he
alleged were letters from D. c. Stephenson, serving
life sentence for murder but once the head OF the
Khan and the most powerful figure in Indiana politics
When that charge was first launched The Times
demanded full and complete probe OF the charges
and the truth behind the charges.
There was silence in other quarters The oinciai
organ for the Republican party in the STATE the u
annapolis Star, made no appeal to save the name ol
rrAiana That was left to this independent news
naner which is interested very much in good govern
ment and in honesty but not at all in politics.
For five days no official voice, was raised to back
this demand of The Times. No official who had been
the friend or beneficiary of the Stephenson power
demanded a vindication
No State official offered to assist in an inquiry
During those five days Indiana oficaldom directed
it's attention to keeping six State Senators and re-
snonsible NEWSPAPER men from seeing Stephenson in
his cell
Now the note has changed There is demand
for speedy inquiry. There is an eagerness to ex-
anime Stephenson, and an apparent readiness to let
the matter stand or fall upon the willingness Of
convict who If the charges were true held reputa-
lions of men in high places in a safety box.
The Indianapolis Star, now at last alert to the
seriousness of the matter makes this demand for an
OF Stephenson
grounds that were made by The Times more than
ten days ago. In its appeal 1t says:
"Speed and thoroughness should characterize the
grand Jury investigation of the charges Thomas H.
Adams of Vincennes has been making and limiting at
in recent weeks. So much has been limited and init
mated and so many half truths have been given out
that in fairness to the good name of the State and of
many of its public men all the mystery should be
cleared up and the whole affair aired at Hoosier
dom can not continue to permit any to make
charges that reflect the intelligence of it's citizens
and the integrity of it's officials without insisting
knowing the basis for such accusations. The people
have right to how much fire there is back of all
the smoke that has been stirred up recently or to
NOW if Mr.. Adams has been msled."
Several things have happened between the day
When The Times first demanded that the rame of
indiana be cleared of shame or if the charges were
that the guilty be punished.
Stephenson has been seen at the prison. His first
caller Jack Maroney, Federal agent That
visit occasioned a statement by Senator Watson If
quotation in the Star be true that he had
knowledge or connection with this visit
There has yet been no explanation of this expana-
ion any why the Senator should feel the
need of making any denial or any statement as to
what it presumed to deny
The Governor had promised the appointment of
committee 10 investigate all the charges. That
has been deferred He no longer any necessity
and is relying upon the grand jury.
The attorney general has left the State House to
become deputy of the local prosecutor who is with
out funds for investigators, who has no detectives
and no means of following clews or trails or hunting
or witnesses
This is the official situation
Aside from this The Times has produced state
nents from photographer an acquaintance of Ste
pherson, corroboraed by his wife and given in the
presence of witnesses that he made photographs of
many checks and documents sent to him from his
ai cell at Noblesville by Stephenson through lieu
tenant.
That statement is evidence that Stephenson had
photographs made of documents which he considered
gave him grip or hold upon some person or persons
he was eager not only to keep the originals but to
lave IN some other place photographs If the originals
should be misplaced.
May 1t not be suggested that the real inouirv and
he only one which will satisfy the people Of this
State is not, whether Stephenson under q life Sem
ence Will produce his proof but whether the things
re is alleged to have said, were true
Was there corruption? Was there bribery in the
4egisature?>
We're there vast spent for torrupton Of cleo
ions?
There must the search go and the people if NAV
be confidently believed will not be satisfied with ,
ienlals from Stephenson that he has such documents
'r any inability to obtain them from him. The probe
must be deeper and wider than that