The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-07
The Dotted Line

Once again the most famous guest of the
people of Indiana rushes into court with an
unusual petition. And once again he threatens
to tell everything"
This time D. @. Stephenson, who will not
receive in all probability the same gushing
Christmas cards from the ambitious and the
mighty which came to him. back in 1923, says
that he needs court injunction to prevent the
trustees and penitentiary officials from SUBJ
Jecting him to fortunes of various kinds if he
exposes those with whom he dealt and con-
spired in his hour of power
1t is unfortunate for the State that when
Stephenson first struggled out somewhat
similar threat more than year ago the
officials of the State put in the way Of any
revelations all the legal obstacles at their COM
mand.
Had there been any exhibition of even will
ingness to permit Stephenson to confess his
political sins and prove that he had some &C.
completes, the latest cry would receive little at.
tention
1t may receive little as it is, for there may be
doubts as to the ability Of Stephenson to pro-
duce anything more in the way of documents.
1t is true that as yet there has been no COM
plete revelation of his relationships with many
who are still in office and others who are seek
ing high offices.
1t is undoubtedly true that the people of
this State would like very much to know the
names and all the names of those who were
willing to play politics with this life termer,
who, as grand dragon Of the forces of hate,
boasted that he was the law in Indiana.
1t is undoubtedly true that the public would
be very much interested in knowing all transac-
tons and all his friendships, for the people
have about decided that they can get along in
the future without the public services of the
playmates Of the dragon
The latest outburst Of Stephenson will
again direct attention to the fact that Stephen
son put politics upon basis where confidence
between conspirators was banished in favor Of
the dotted line
No longer is the answer to his charges
that no man would be so foolish as to sign his
name.
The people now know that Stephenson did
make at least some Of those he supported sign
over their powers and patronage in return for
his favors
The special advisers of the grand jury in
this county have reported that mayor of this
city signed couple of these contracts for
patronage and that at least two Indiana con-
gressmen gave their written pledges to Ste-
phenson that they would deliver over to him
all the Federal Offices they could get from the
President or the cabinet.
That same report says that the statute os
limitations has run against many acts revealed
by the contents of his famous Black Boxes.
So the people know that his brand of poll
tics was what he said it was year ago. The
claim does not sound so absurd now that he
made men sign contracts in violation of law
The State is soon to enter another cam
paign. Again men are ambitious for power.
The people will again be assailed by the ambi-
tious and the greedy.
If Stephenson can contribute to their
knowledge Of the boys who signed up in 1923
and 1924, he should be permitted to produce.
The people want to know.