The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-15
Report Shows Former City
Executive Destroyed
Contract Records

stroyed written contracts between
himself and D. G. Stephenson in
which Duvall agreed to divide po-
litical patronage with Stephenson in
case he was elected mayor of Indi-
annapolis.
John w. Hoffman and Ems
ley w. johnson stated this today in
their report to Criminal Court
Judge James A. Collins on their po-
litical corruption probe activities.
The statement was made by the
special prosecutors in outlining con-
tents OF the "black boxes" which
Stephenson turned over to the grand
jury in July.
Photostatic copies of the Duvall-
Stephenson contracts and a con-
tract between Stephenson and Up
dixie were found In the boxes, their
report disclosed.
Refer to Contract
Although the context of the Up
dixie contract was not disclosed, it
is believed the prosecutors referred
to purported contract in which
Updike agreed to follow Stephen
sons advice on all Seventh district
appointments open, or which Up
dixie could cause to be opened, in
Guiding the postmastership Of In
dianapolis.
Updike, 1t Is said, referred the ap-
pointment of his private secretary
to Stephenson for approval as his
first move in carrying out the al
legged contract.
Although the "black boxes" con-
tanned evidence of crimes, indict-
ments were impossible because the
prosecution of the crimes was out
lawed by the statute Of limitations,
and there was no evidence OF active
concealment, making possible prose-
cution in spite of the fact that the
crimes were committed more than
two years previously, the prosecu-
tors stated.
Show Stephenson History
The boxes contained documents
and photostatic copies Of letters and
documents which showed many of
the business and POLITICAL activi-
ties of Stephenson, who played "a
large part in the political history
of Indiana in recent years, 1t said.
There were certain contracts for
the division If political patronage,
one of which contracts was entered
into by T,alph Updike, now Con-
gresham from the Seventh District
of Indiana, and D. G. Stephenson"
said the report.
"There also were photostatic cop
les of contracts entered into be-
tween John L. Duvall and D. @.
Stephenson for a division of polit-
ical patronage in case Duvall was
elected mayor of Indianapolis.
"The original contracts were re-
covered by Duvall and destroyed by
him. There also was other evidence
of law violations, but indictments
we're not returned because of the
| Statute VI lllLllIdVlO1lo.
Investigation Thorough
1--WE respectfully report to your
honor that we believe the evidence
available tending to show political
corruption in indianapolis has been
investigated thoroughly. There is
some additional evidence to be pre-
sented to the grand jury, which we
believe can be done soon," the report
concluded.
Prosecutor William H. Reny and
the present grand jury were COM
mended.
The report outlined the prosecu-
tors work in the James Arn1itage
contempt of court trial, filing of
aff1davits against Duvall, then
mayor, and William G. Buser, then
city controller, and returning Of
indictments against Earl S. Garrett,
former city market master: John j..
Collins, city purchasing agent, and
Governor Jackson, George v. Coffin
and Robert I. Marsh.