The Coconino sun., 1927-04-29
By RAYMOND DYAS
Especial Correspondence


Phoenix, April %. = Startling
charges of vice, embezzlement and
misapplication of public funds are un-
der investigation by a grand jury
summoned by Superior Judge M. T.
Phelps, who, in his charge to the
jurors, directed them to inquire into
allegations that:
IA vice ring of the underworld is
in control of protected" gambling,
immoral resorts and bootleg activities
in Phoenix and Maricopa county.
2-The "so-called upper classes of
society" are violating the prohibition
laws in their social clubs.
3-There has been gross misuse of
the imprest fund and other funds of
the state highway department.
Funds of the state asylum for
the insane have been improperly ex-
pended.
51There have been escapes from
the state prison that warrant investi-
cation.
City Officials Called
Among the first witnesses called
before the grand jury were Mayor
Frank A. Jefferson, former City Mag
istrate Hugh Callahan, Captain N. w.
Matlock of the police department, and
former Police Officers w. H. Van
Horn and Ed Fuller, indicating the
grand jury had elected to delve first
into the charges of protected vice
within the city. These charges were
given added impetus when Callahan,
city clerk and magistrate for four
years, was summarily removed from
office by the city commission recent
ly, following which he declared that
vice conditions were rampant in
Phoenix, and that the Illegal resorts
were being given protection. Of
ficers Van Horn and Fuller likewise
were recently relieved of their duties.
Judge Outlines Charges
After citing the reports of alleged
violations of the gambling and prohi-
bition laws, Superior Judge Phelps
told the jurors that he had before him
a joint committee report from the
eighth legislature bearing upon ex-
penditures in the state highway de-
part, (which, if predicated upon facts,
discloses the commission of public
offense against the state of Arizona
and it shall be your duty to
return an indictment against any per-
son or persons so appearing to have
embezzled or misappropriated any of
the funds of the state of Arizona"
Judge Phelps also said it was
charged that funds appropriated by
the seventh legislature for the con-
struction of an addition to the insane
asylum had been improperly expended,
and, after citing the law regarding
the culpability of anyone who aids a
prisoner to escape, called specific at
tention to the escape from the state
prison, under suspicious circum-
stances, of Lee Haley, and asked the
jury to return indictments against any
person or persons aiding in that
escape.
No Special Session Soon
Following adjournment sine die last
week of the regular session of the
eighth legislature, without having ac-
complished the enactment OF any
highway legislation, spokesmen at the
governors office this week declared
the chief executive had no intention
of calling another special session
soon.
ssWhat's the use?" plaintively asked
one Of these spokesmen. "The major
ity members will not pass the sort OF
legislation the governor wants, and
the governor will not sign the sort OF
bill the majority wants. There is no
reason to believe that any of the MEM
bers have changed their minds, so why
90 to the expense of another special
session that would accomplish moth
ing"
Signs Bills Passed
The governor has signed the meas
ures passed before adjournment pro-
yiding that an act of the legislature
shall be required to secure a permit
for the installation of any hydro
electric development on any state
stream developing more than 25,O00
horsepower; appropriating $4,000 for
the asylum for the insane; approprI-
ating $4,000 as half the cost OF con-
structing bridge over the Verde rlv-
er to connect the Fossil Creek and
Jerome highways; appropriating $4,-
56(l To nav company allowances of the
national guard: permitting the city
of Phoenix to widen Van Buren,
street: granting state officials author
ity to enter into contracts with tne
federal government for securing lrri-
gazing wafer from 0OO1tuSS ACoSA 80
for state lands; relating to refundlng
of territorial bonds, and amending the
personal property tax laws.
Special Election May 81
Governor Hunt has also signed the
bill providing for a special election
May 81 to submit to the people the
proposal to amend the state consti-
tuition repeating that portion of the
act which states that no property OF
citizens of the United States residing
without the state shall ever be taxed
at higher rate than the lands and
property of residents of the state, and
the clause of the act which gives the
federal government authority to APP
propriate the receipts from sale OF
public land in the state to the con-
struction of irrigation works for the
reclamation of arid lands.
While there is some question in the
minds of constitutional lawyers
whether Arizona, at this late date, can
abrogate any of the terms of the en-
abling act by which she became a
state. it was held that amending the
constitution in the two particulars
provided for in the above bill would
do no harm. and might place this state
in better legal position, to fight for
4 - t><.~m