The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-15

Detailed testimony Of William I.
Armitage against Mayor John l..
Duvall in Criminal Court today fol-
lows:
Armitage, responding 10 questions
Of Special Prosecutor John w.
Hoffman, testified ne lived at 1856
Washington Blvd, has lived in In
dianapolis fifty-three years, and is
in the real estate business and has
done some building.
He said he ran gambling house
and saloon about twenty years agul
but had not been in that business
since 1915. He opened the Winston
billiard parlor, in the Brevort Hotel.
but sold out April 10, 1922.
Recently, Armitage said, he has
been in the material business, SELL
ing curbing and asphalt.
First Admission of Business
This is the first public admission
by Armitage that he has been in
the curbing business. 1t was
rumored during the Shank admin
istration, when Armitage was the
political boss, that Armitage was
selling curbing to contractors who
laid city streets, but he denied it
then.
He admitted then that for a time
he was an agent for the Barber AS
phalt Company.
Arrnitage talked In a subdued
tone, looking squarely at the mayor.
Attorney M. A. Ryan Of the de-
Tense three times asked Arimtage
to raise his voice. Each time Ar
mitage Strengthened in his chair
and talked louder, only the grad
ually slump down and lower his
voice. =
Duvall Came 10 Him
Armitage testified Duvall came to
him before the 1925 primary and
asked who he was backing for the
Republican nomination for mayor
and that he said he was behind
Ralph A. Lemcke.
On primary morning, Armitage
said Duvall got out of an automo-
bile at Blake and New York SITS.
and came to him. on the sidewalk.
"He asked me what I thought
about the primary. I said, I think
you'll be nominated, you've got the
inside and the outside"
Hoffman asked what he meant
by inside and outside"
Armitage replied he referred to
the boards and the organization.
Before he left, he said we'd get
together after it was over.
T met him later at the Washing
ton Hotel. said I might go with
him, Duvaal. for mayor"
"Goes Along" With Duval
At the Washington Hotel confer
ence Armitage said he told Duvall
that 'Lemcke and I have had
misunderstanding. and I am ready
to go along with you for mayor"
At conference later at Mayor
Lew Shank's home, attended by
Duvall ana Shank, Armitage said he
repeated his officer Ito go along
with him for mayor"
Duvall said: "All right" to the
offer, the witness said.
He met Puvall the next time in
the latter part of May or early in
June, when he went to Duvalls
house, after calling him on the
phone, Armitage said.
At that conference he again told
Duvall they should get together, and
Duvall asked: What do you
want?" Arnitage said.
Tells What He Wants
81 want two board Of works men,
bers and the city engineer, for
which I will contribute $4,000"
Armitage said he replied.
When he DuvalD said "all right"
Armitage said he told Duvail that
he wanted William H. Freeman
made board of works president,
Ernest L. Kingston member of the
board, and Frank g. Lingenfelter
city engineer.
Duvall said the men he mentioned
were all right, the witness asserted.
Nothing was said about when the
$4,000 was to be paid, but week
later he called Duvall by phone ard
Duvall said to meet him at 802 or
808, II forget which," City Trust
Bldg, Armitage said.
Gave Him $1,000
@. What happened?
A. gave him moneys, 900.
Hoffman asked him where this
transaction took place and Armitage
replied it was in a room numbered
802 City Trust Bldg. He said the
room they met in was vacant except
for desk, and in describing the
place said it was one of suite.
@. What kind of money?
A. Paper money.
He said the door to the room was
unlocked and he went in, closing 1t
behind him. and found Duvall wait
ing there.
Duvall Says "AlI Right"
@. What did you say to Duvall, If
anything, when you handed him the
money?
A. said Here's the $1,000" He
said "all right"
@. What did he do?
A. Nothing. I gave it to Duvall.
He said after this transaction he
left the building and returned to
his Office. Armitage said he did not
see Duvall until week later.
st went out to his home, by ap-
pointment. I called him up and said
I would be out. got three between
10 and II o'clock. My brother drove
me out and parked the car about
half a block away. I walked up