The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-11
No More Secrecy

JOuIu0u
With the publication today of the first of
the contents of the little black box" The
Times has every reason to believe that nc
longer will Indiana be treated to the incl
dents and episodes which have brought sus-
picion and distrust during the past few
months.
It is very fitting that The Times should
be the first to publish these documents.
The Times was the only newspaper in In
dianapolis which printed that letter which
Stephenson struggled from his cell to
Thomas H. Adams of Vincennes last fall
At that time ever other newspaper was
engaged in the task of belittling the gravity
of the charge, of bringing suspicion upon
Stephenson, in creating the impression that
Stephenson was trying backmail tactics to
obtain his liberty, in preserving the political
fortunes of those with whom Stephenson in
his freedom had been allied.
The Times believed that there was very
simple way of discovering the truth.
It believed when it asked Governor Jack
son on the day following publication OF this
letter for permission to interview Stephen
son. that it would be at once granted and that
this would either result in proof or settling
of doubt in the public mind.
The Times could not understand, then,
why that permission was refused. Nor
could it understand why no other Indian
apolis newspaper for five days found news
in an occurrence which brought the most
highly trained news reporters from the
larger cities.
The Times was more perpleXed when it
discovered that the prison trustees hurriedly
met at the bedside of sick member and an
nounced that it was against the rules to per-
nit prisoners to be interviewed. The edi-
tor of newspaper at Michigan City for fiji
teen years knew of no such rule and had IN
terviewed hundreds Of prisoners, until Ste
phenson came as guest.
The Times was appalled, when Adams
asked that six State Senators be permitted to
see Stephenson and was refused.
The simple, easy way of asking Stephen
son did not appear to be so simple.
Then came the visit of Maroney, polltl-
cian, Federal agent and special friend Of the
mighty. He saw Stephenson and apparent
ly everything changed.
Following his visit, the State could al
most detect sigh Of relief in certain spots
and places
Then came the visit of Col. Theodore
Roosevelt, and upon his insistence two out
standing figures, the Governor and the chair
man Of the Republican party, demanded an
Investigation.
Still no one saw Stephenson. When he
was finally brought to the grand jury, he was
smiling and said nothing.
Perhaps that attitude may have some
thing to do with his most recent statement,
which he means, that he had been double
crossed for the last time"
The attitude of public officials, OF those
with whom Stephenson had been on terms OF
lpoitical intimacy, was more convincing
than the words of Stephenson. His despera-
ton might have led him into making extrava-
giant and unfounded charges.
That could be understood. The attitude
of public officials could NOT be understood.
The Times began to inquire whether
there might be truth behind his boast-even
if it should develop that he would find it con-
venient to remain silent. The Times believed
that newspaper could perform great pub
lie service if it prevented any bargaining, If
bargaining there. should be, and a greater
benefit if it could definitely protect the fair
name of Indiana from any unwarranted at
tack.
It was in this spirit that it's investigation
began and has been continued.
It was apparently this spirit which led
Stephenson, who had no reason to like The
Times, to finally order his attorneys to de-
liver certain documents to this newspaper,
\ It was The Times which furnished the
kevidence to that peculiar grand jury, but
(which resulted in no action.
The Times located witnesses and they
ed quite mysteriousy before they were
card.
The Times located the photographers who
Ead made copies Of checks. But that did not