The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-08
Finding the. Answer

Finding the Answer
"There is some motive in keeping him from talk
ing if he wants to talk. There is some motive in
keeping him where he can not defend himself.
What is that motive? Who has the most to conceal?
If no one is afraid, then why not let him talk?"
This was written by D. G. Stephenson concerning
himself.
1t was the closing paragraph Of the four-page
letter published exclusively in The Times after had
been made public by Thomas Adams OF Vincennes.
That letter and this part of it becomes important
now in view of the fact that it is reliably reported
that Stephenson has talked freely to special prose-
cutors after refusing to talk to grand juries
1t Is important because now that these special
prosecutors are convinced that Stephenson could and
has made good on his threats to reveal political
ruption that would make Pennsylvania look like a
pjker" the people will want an answer to the Ste
phenson question
The people know that for months after Stephen
son Struggled out this letter. and it Of necessity
smuggled out because no message OF this sort was
permitted go through regular channels or the hanoi
of any regular attorney, every effort was made TO
prevent Stephenson from telling his story.
The people remember the shameful story OF the
grand jury in which the forces that were interested
in supervising facts were more powerful than the
hand Of the law.
The people now know that Stephenson was better
informed than the public to what went on behind
those locked doors of the jury room and knew the
testimony of every witness.
The people now know that Stephenson was not
merely guessing when from his prison CELL weeks be-
fore that grand jury closed its sessions, he announced
to Deputy Prosecutor Sheaffer that there would be
no Indictment, but that every vote would be four
to two
They know that his prediction was not predic-
ton but statement of fact known in advance to
him.
When Stephenson finally tells how he gained the
information concerning the grand jury deliberations
and knew that there were two members of that body
who would never indict any one against whom evi-
dence was presented, he will answer the one ques-
ton of who had most to fear from his revelations.
There is now no question but that Stephenson was
dealing for favors and expected them
There is something most sinister and most illurn-
mating when he turns at last and belches out that ne
has been double crossed for the last time"
That means, of course, that he was given promises
and pledges that not made good by those who
had most to fear from his documents and his revela-
tons
That means that some who pretended to be his
friends were betraying him in his efforts to get out
ofaprison through the of his information.
It means, of course for it can mean nothing else,
that he was led to believe that silence before that
grand jury would aid him in his purpose-and Ste
phenson has but one purpose now, which is to gain
his freedom and his liberty.
The people knew that the grand jury had received
evidence which indicated that Stephenson was telling
bo diJ11IOo
political corruption.
They knew that lawyer had said that he had
seen large checks given by Stephenson to high State
officials.
They know that photographers had said openly that
they had made copies of many documents and
among them the same huge checks.
They knew that in the finish that grand jury dis
credited it's own investigation by declaring that pc
cliar circumstances surrounded the grand jury it
self and unusual conditions existed within it,
When Stephenson finally tells how he knew the
secrets of that grand jury room and knew the hearts
and purposes of two of its members, he will get the
answer as to who profits most from suppression of
his story.
And in this hour it will not be forgotten that the
last Legislature acted in manner which outraged
the conscience of the State.
When resolution was presented to investigate
openly the charges Of Stephenson and the actions OF
the grand jury which had failed, the Republican
members herded together by the party bosses and
forced to vote as party policy to suppress and
deny any investigation.
It is true that the Democratic members were
not very insistent. They made gesture but it was
feeble one. They failed to show a. courage and
determination that might have forced action.
Who prof1ted most by Stephensons silence, he
asked. The people are getting the answer and soon
may have all the names.