The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-05
Probe Head

IN lIe ItCOlutI > bIllte MERE
Probe Head
Adams, who has charge Of the
probe of Indiana corruption and
graft on behalf of the Republican
editors, is in Chicago and made no
new revelations today.
1t is intimated, however. that more
will be forthcoming within the next
forty-eight hours and that a further
broadside will be backed up by pho
tographs of checks or contracts in
volving high officials and substan-
tiating his charges of graft.
Adams asserts that he has all the
proof of his definite charges of fraud
and graft.
1t is declared that Stephenson,
now serving a term for murder, is
ready TO tell the details of how
mere than 100000 was spent in the
1924 campaign for the purpose of
buying votes and Of obtaining
fraudulent returns.
1t is charged that Stephenson, who
is known to have been the d0minat-
ing force Of the last Legislature,
is reay to tell how $4,000 was
spent for the defeat of one measure
and will name the members of that
body who received the brides.
1t is charged that he is ready to
give the names and dates of the
taking of $4,000 of public funds.
No Question Raised
Thus far no one has raised any
question Of the ability of Stephen
son to reveal these inner workings
of government if he so desires.
Wherever the politicians are gath
cred it is taken for granted that
Stephenson could give such facts.
No one has yet denied or doubted the
possibility Of his having such proof
It was revealed that Stephenson,
during his incarceration at Mobiles
vile before his trial for the murder
Of Madge Oberholtzer, sent one of
his trusted lieutenants to a photog.
rapher in a neighboring city with a
suitcase full of documents which
were photographed.
The photographer was a personal
friend of Stephenson. He informed
The Times that he had photographed
these documents on the statement
from an emissary for Stephenson
that he feared his friends" would
confiscate his evidence of graft and
take.it while he was in prison.
The photographer said that he had
spent the greater part of several
days in making the photographs and
that he had turned over to the Steph-
enson agent the plates and the
copies.
The photographer was informed
that Stephenson expected to keep
those Photographic copies of his
evidence 81 crime on the part of those
with whom he was associated and
the officials with whom he dealt for
just such an hour as has now ar
rived.
200 Photos
The photographer said that alto
gether he took more than 200 pho
tos of checks, written agreements,
letters, the contents of which he does
not know, but which Stephenson be-
lieved contained a power over Off
Gals and others in public life.
Adams today was invited to appear
before a special city council COM
mittee and bare the story of
Stephenson corruption in Indiana,
and particularly Indianapolis poll
tics.
The special council committee was
authorized in a resolution introduced
by Councilman Walter r. Dorsett
Monday night.
Dorset Chairman
Dorsett was named chairman of
the committee.
Other members are: Otis 2. Bar
tholomew. DR.. Austin H. Todd, Mil
lard w. Ferguson and Robert E.
Springsteen, Democrat.
The committee is to meet Wednes.
day at 1 p. m. Adams, in Chicago
in connection with the investigation
of Stephenson activities, was invited
by telegraph to attend the session.
at Is most important that this
committee meet at once in view Of
the seriousness of the charges"
Springsteen said
Interest of city officials In Adams
charges are believed to be based on
letter from Stephenson to Court
Asher, former Khan grand kleagle,
which said in part:
Letter Figures
81 could tell how the arrangements
were worked out by which certain
individuals acquired $4,000 a short
time ago from a fund which belongs
to the taxpayers-why concrete was
substituted for asphalt in the pave
ment of certain city streets, and who
profited.
II could tell how bank deposits
Of taxpayers money have been jock
eyed for private gain and for po-
litical purposes.
II could tell why bank deposits
Of taxpayers money were shifted
from one depository to another so
that individuals could get huge sums
of interest and WIN cot the money. -