The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-07

participated.
! You stated that the charge
is untrue and the statement
false. If your statement be
true, then /, as editor of The
Times, have violated the laws.
If the proper tribunals should de-
eide that the evidence on which
printed that statement is as con-
vincing to them, as it was to me,
then they properly can apply the
remedy under your own interpre-
tation Of the legal meaning Of those
facts.
One of us has been guilty and
is guilty
The introduction of the name of
Bishop H. H. Fout, your friend and
the president of the Anti-Saloon
League, could have no other pur-
pose than stating that your compli-
ance with his wish to further the
interest of Mr.. Mcdonald was the
only motive you had in this matter
and that your Endorsement in behalf
of Bishop Fout was the only act Of
yours in connection with this ap-
pointment.
That Bishop Fout was interested
in the welfare of one Of his church
officials, that he did ask your in
dorsement and aid in securing for
him political appointment, will Of
course be accepted in full faith and
with all credence.
But the statements printed by
The Times were far different and
related to an entirely different mat
! ter.
The TimeS~p-siated without. quali-
fication, that on Dec. 8, 1923, when
you we're secretary of State, there
was held a conference in your Of
| flee attended by yourself, George
". Coffin, who may be admitted to
have taken very active interest
in Marion county politics; md one
other man.
1t stated that at this conference
it was decided to offer to Warren
T. McCray, then Governor and un-
der indictment, then in need of
funds for his defense, contribution
of $4,000 and promise that no
jury would convict him in any
court.
The Times stated, very definitely,
that Fred Robinson. known as the
political manager of McCray and
his appointee to the position of
State purchasing agent, was called
to that conferenc and he, at the re-
quest of this conference, Of which
you were member, went to Nc
Cray and made this offer in behalf
of yourself and the others
fhe Times stated, with definite
ness, that he returned and reported
that McCray would not comply and
that then you, secretary of State
and now Governor, went to the Of
fees of Governor McCray and made
the same offer.
The Tirnes stated that Governor
McCray, in effect and in approx
mate language, said, II have lost
my money, probably will lose my
Office, and may lose my liberty,
but I will keep my self-respect."
The Times stated that later D. G.
Stephenson, now lifeterm prison.
er, former grand dragon of the Ku-
Klux Klan, was taken to the Office
of James Noel, attorney for Nc
Cray, and introduced by Robert /.
Marsh, your associate in the practice
of law, and that Stephenson re-
peated the same offer.
This was not published recklessly
or with any purpose of hostility to
yourself 1t was published only be-
cause, as editor Of this newspaper,
deemed it public duty to print
these facts.
It was printed on what / believed,
and still believe, to be evidence be-
yond the possibility of controversy.
This is matter which now
reaches much deeper than my repu-
tation as an editor. or yours as a
public servant. 1t is a matter which
affects every interest in Indiana,
every citizen, every ideal of govern
ment.
You state in your letter, "I want
to say that the charge published by
you is untrue"
There should be no difficulty In
establishing the facts.
If there has been conspiracy to
blacken your name and I have been
imposed upon by men who are try
ing to destroy you, there should be
public way to demonstrate that
; fact
: AS lawyer, you know that when
I accepted the evidence in my pos
sission and published it, I became
responsible for the statement.
/ Each day the press associations
7 carry to the outside world the in
formation that the present grand
! jury has called before it witnesses
' for the purpose of investigating the
s truth of this story.
r You must feel chagrined, as do
all other citizens, to hear the sug-
+ gestion that this grand jury is
7 hampered by the fact that the date
fixed by The Times as that Of this