The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-11
Hear Him Tonight


The Times urges every citizen to go to
Tomlnson Hall tonight and listen to Mayor
John Duvall, still mayor in spite of the fact
that his resignation has been demanded by
practically every civic organization.
1t is the duty of every citizen to inform
himself on public affairs and then decide inthe
utmost fairness as to his own influence and
opinion upon them.
It is Just possible that Mayor Duvall may
have something of Importance to divulge and
if he has, he should be given an opportunity to
have the fullest and most courteous hearing.
That the mayor is under conviction OF crime
and that jury has decreed that ne should
spend month in the county Jail and be dis
fsanchised for period of four years is only an
aided reason for giving him hearing.
He may be more convincing before an
audience than his attorneys were before jury;
There are many things which Mayor Duvan
could tell in which the people are very much
interested and perhaps very large audience
will be factor in inducing him to full and
complete frankness.
He will, perhaps, explain why he was very
active in having the Legislature pass law
which would prevent the people Of this city
from obtaining the City Manager form, which
thew very much desired, until the close of his
administration.
Perhaps he will explain his own attitude to-
ward that office and tell frankly why he be-
lieved that it was necessary to have special
legislation to protect him in his office.
1t is unfortunate that the mayor is the only
speaker of Importance. There are others whom
common gratitude would suggest should be at
his side, defending him if he intends to make
a defense
The meeting, of course, will be incomplete
if United States Senator Arthur Robinson IS
not also given chance to defend the mayor
and the mayors organization. 1t is a matter
of common knowledge that the influence Of the
city administration and especially Of George V.
Coffin. the Senator's friend and the mayors
close adviser, were very powerful IN obtaining
the nomination of Robinson and his subsequent
election The mayor will do him wrong if he
neglects to give to the Senator an opportunity
to demonstrate that he always stands by his
friends.
All that is promised, however, is speech
by the mayor himself and the mayor is entitled
to public hearing. The citizens should listen
and listen with open, mindedness to any ex-
PLANTATION he may have as to his refusal to COM
ply with the demands of the thousands Of rep
resentative citizens who are asking him to re-
sign for his city's good.
This city has never refused fair hearing to
any man. Sometimes it has been rather diff
ficult to obtain declarations from public
officials Sometimes it has required the drastic
method of grand jury indictments to force
answers that should have been given publicly
long before.
But the mayor announces that he has some
thing to tell the citizens and the citizens should
for their own interests if not for the sake Of
that spirit Of fair play which is the new key
note in Indiana, accord him the privilege.
So once again, The Times urges the citizens
to attend this meeting and see for themselves
what happens, listen to what the mayor has to
say, and then draw their own conclusions.