The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-18
THE WATSON ALIBI

lI1E w AlOON AAlD1
At last Senator James E. Watson has given his
alib for the swift assurance he sent from his hos
pital to panicky crowd of former Stephenson adj
herents.
He says that he has no objection to the Reed
committee coming into Indiana to investigate but
he felt that inasmuch as the life term convict had
limited his offers of proof of corruption to two years
ago. his colleagues in the Senate would not be IN
terested
There is Wisconsin at its best.
He knew of course that the power of the Reed
committee is limited to Investigations of frauds In
the senatorial primaries of this year and the coming
elections in which senatorships are at stake
He also knew that here in Indiana the men who
have charge of the election quaBng in fear lest
the inquisitive Reed with his unusual powers OF
divination should probe the truth of the charges
made by Stephenson.
He knew. as all men know, that Reed if he
should ever prove these matters, would not be salts
fed with inquring whether this convict is now
ready to confess He would want truth and only
the truth.
He knew that many men in this State were in
fear that Reed might try to find out whether the
charges were true, not whether the felon in his
cell is ready for and has cast away all hope
Of forcing his way to freedom by expose of his once
omitted power.
And with the true Watson touch. he overlooked
lie one reason for the coming of Reed and his com
tee to Indiana
Watson sick he is, has been in conference
It'll Clyde Walb who was at his bedside when he
:ayc out the interview.
Watson knew as the world knows, that Walb.
t3 head of his campaign, has made certain definite
50 unqualified charges of corruption.
1oft otnr
]. Il and given to the press before it put in
III. Najla. charged these things:
~. th-re s evidence everywhere of corrup
.-n.
Tt5: III, money Of international bankers in
Wal ctrcct is in every precinct in this State
tri tferc arc 3451 precincts.
That WaIb everywhere the activities Of
~ paid oorruptionsts
That the purpose of this corruption Of the
ate is the defeat Of Senators Watson and Robin
and the Congressman the Republican
cket
Senator Watson is too shrewd even to suggest
that under these charges the Reed committee is not
fully empowered and directed to make a full and
free Investigation s~
Senator Watson says he is now not opposed to
a probe by the Reed committee
Up to date there is record that he has
asked Senator Reed to come here and prevent the
wholesale corruption directed at his victory and
cess which his chairman, Walb, says is evidenced
everywhere in the State
No one of course, expects Robinson to act until
after Watson has nodded, His silence is quite under
standable
The Watson interview is in keeping with his
entire record, subtle trick that means nothing
at all
He consoles his hackers with the thought that
Reed, honest and efficient has power to part the
cirtans of 1924.
That assurance is twisted into denial that he
has opposed probe at all.
But he has not asked for an investigation, and If
what Walb has said is true, he is being fought with
corrupt money in campaign Of SANDER and abuse
by hired gossips and libeers.
If Watson such target would he be not
the first to ask for inquiry?
AS it stands, the Times which first asked for an
investigation of the Adams charges is bereft of
any appeal from Watson when it demanded that
there an inquiry into the truth falsty of Wab's
charges.
Certainly, Senator Watson has doubt that
Walb could prove all he charged. Or has he such
doubt?