The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-06-24
John F. Collins Faces Affi-
davit Filed by ProSecu-
tors in Criminal Court.
FOURTH OFFICIAL HELD
Deal to Have Involved Plan
to Split Profit on In
StrumentS.

John ], Collins, city purchasing
agent, was charged with soliciting a
bribe, in an afidavit fled this
morning in Criminal Court.
He surrendered himself &C the
sheriff's for arrest and was released
on $1,000 bond signed by City
Corporation Counsel Schuyler A.
Haas. Sheriff Cmer Hawkins
notified Collins Of the charges by
telephone.
"The charges are ridiculous" Col
Inns said. Anyone in indianapolis
who knows me knows whether or
not they are true
II is charged he offered 10 OBJ
tain a $4,000 surgical instrument
order for Samuel Greenburg. presl-
dent Of the w. II. Armstrong Com
pany surgical instrument firm, on
payment TO him of $500. The pro-
posal was made 10 Greenburg by
Collins Sept. 20, 1926, it Is alleged.
The instruments we're 10 be used
in city hospital surgical wards. The
contract was let when new equip
ment was bought for the operating
rooms.
Based on Agreement
According 70 Deputy Prosecutor
william II. Shea1er, who gathered
the evidence, the Armstrong COM
pany did not obtain the contract
and the charge is based on the
agreement Collins is alleged TO have
had with Greenburg
Sheaffer said the company was 10
get $4,000 f6r the order, with
$1,000 profit, which was 10 be
divided between. the firm and Col
Inns. Collins offered the terms for
the agreement, 1t is alleged
Capias for Collins arrest was
issued by Judge James A. Collins
when the charge was fled by
SheafTer and Special Prosecutors
John W.. Hoffman and Emsley w.
johnson.
Collins was appointed purchasing
agent by Mayor Duvall when the
latter took Office. Before that he
was employed by Duvall IN his bank.
Collins was under survey OF the
prosecutors several months ago.
when q city hospital milk contract
let to Polk's Milk Company sudden
ly was shifted to the Jessup g. An
trim Ice Cream Company.
At that time A. w. Antrim OF the
ice cream firm, was called as a pros
pective members Of the grand jury
investigator alleged political cor
ruption. Antrim withdrew a few
days later.
Five Witnesses Heard
The afildavit against Collins was
prepared after prosecutors Thursday
called in Greensburg. Richard X.
Shining, manager OF the Akron
Truss Company; Clarence Hess. city
business manager, and Solo
mon and julius Goldsmith OF Gold
smith Bros. drug firm.
Julius Goldsmith was called DUR
ing the afternoon and IL is UNDER
stood he related further dealings
with Purchasing Agent Collins.
Collins is the fourth city Official
TO be hit by the probers. Mayor
Duvall and City Controller william
G. Buser were charged with fraud
in making out election expense
and Earl S. Garrett, for
mer market master, was charged
with official misconduct and false
pretense.
Collins Signed Bond
Purchasing Agent Collins signed
CARROTS $1,000 bond, following the
Iatter's arrest.
Motions 10 quash the affidavits
against Mayor Duvall were filed
With Special Judge G. c. Shirley to-
day. They set out that the facts
stated do not constitute a crime,
public otfense or misdemeanor un-
der the Indiana law. It is averred
that facts "are too vague and un-
certain" TO inform the defendants
Of the mature Of the offenSe at
tempted TO be charged" and that
the court can not pronounce a
Judgment on afildavits because "the
facts are so vague and uncertain"
Arguments on the motions will be
hold MopdaV