The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-17
FIND THE MAN

IL
One more of those peculiar condolences" which
have been persistent the probe of the Stephenson
graft charges now challenges public attention.
Some public body. perhaps the grand jury. or
perhaps the next Legislature should discover the
inspiration for that nquring reporter from Chicago
who secured an interview with Judge Fred Q. cause
and then out garbled and distorted version
that could bring nothing but hope and JOY 10 the
life term convict and convince him that he has only
to wait and he will be free without making good his
open assertion that he has documents which would
prove graft on a huge scale
That efforts have been made to permit Stephen
son to give his to the grand Jury may be
deduced by the announcement OF frequent trips 10
the prison by deputies of the prosecution
They could have no other purpose since Ste
phenson brought with great publicity to this city,
smilingly refused to testify in civil case because
his answers would "incriminate him."
The attorney general of this State has openly
charged that Stephenson tried to blackmail his way
to freedom.
Were this distortion of an interview the only In
cident 1t might easily be passed over
the part of reporter.
But there have always been efforts to close the
lips of Stephenson perhaps to hold out the hope of
HIS liberty at every step of the investigation.
It may be said that that hope and that influence
does not come from the prosecutor who wishes to
investigate.
Judge Cause is a prosecutor, named to assist
Prosecutor Remy in the graft probe. More than that
he was brought into the matter by Attorney General
Gilliom. 1t is significant that Mr. Gilom is the
official who will oppose any appeal made by Stephen
son for a trial
Now comes a reporter from Chicago who finds
news in the announcement made two months ago
that certain techncalties would form the basis OF
the appeal.
He comes from news service Every news
paper which receives that service printed or had
available all the facts he sent two months ago, with
the single exception of interview with Judge
Cause.
When the interview reached newspapers which
are sent inside the Michigan City prison, 1t
tanned the fiat declaration that in the opinion Of
Judge Cause, who once Judge of the Supreme
Court technicaities would result in the freedom
Of Stephenson.
Of course. Judge Cause gave such interview.
But what would Stephenson feel and think when
he read this statement from lawyer of high stand
Ing and close friend of the who will oppose
HIS release?
Would he, If he had any idea of giving out this
evidence think that perhaps he had better wait for
the court to let him go and then make such
of his documents, If he has any, his thrifty and
imaginative mind might suggest?
Or would he hurry to give them up?
AS against the casual explanation OF uninten-
tonal stands the admission that the reporter
who sent the story added note to his editors that
the interview with Cause makes this story" That
put the emphasis where 1t may have been desired.
1t would be interesting to know what train of
events carried the gatherer of to the Office
of Judge Cause
It is no disparagement to the high standing of
Judge Cause suggest that foreign correspondents
on a similar story might have easily found an at
torney IL they desired but one who does not possess
such close relationships with prosecutions and in
vestigatons to make his statement Of value to
the one man particularly concerned.
Did the forces which have been able to
have agents at the prison In advance of any visit
succeed in sending this reporter TO Judge Cause?
Was IT matter of chance or design that
he misquoted that Stephenson in his prison
cen might take hope?
The story of story is often more interesting
than the story itself.
The Investigating bodies and certainly Judge
Cause should be interested in investigating every
detail of this incident
It would be unfortunate If the forces of evil
are permitted to place honorable in an
fortunate position to their influence for their
designs, to twist and destroy and conspire to
seal the lips Of the man who once ruled this State,
who contributed much to its corruption, who
threatens to squeal
and you will have located one person who is very
much interested in seeing that Stephenson does
not talk.