The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-12
Great Difficulty Foreseen in
Selection; Opinions
Formed by Many. >

The day of reckoning in one
phase of Indiana's political eorrup-
ton investigation stretched away
little farther today, as the first
session of Mayor John L. Duvalls
trial on charge of violating the
corrupt practices law ended in
Criminal Court.
When court adjourned at noon,
the difficulties of obtaining a jury
were apparent. Nineteen men had
been examined and none accepted
for jury service.
OF the nineteen, seven were ex-
cused because they had formed
opinions as to the guilt of Duvall,
one became i'll, and another was
excused, because of an important
business mission in Chicago.
The State had examined only
three of those excused, and excused
each for cause.
DuvalI Whispers Advice
Eleven unexamined talesmen we're
left in the box at noon.
Duvall refused to make a state
ment before trial began. Il am let
ting my attorneys do my talking
today" he said.
Fiery Cross Editor There
Milton Elrod, former Fiery Cross
editor, was an early spectator. 9th
er spectators were Orville Scott,
close friend Of the mayor; Harvey
Bedford, former Klan cyclops;
Claude Mccoy, safety board secre-
tary; Arthur Reeves, mayors
chafieur, and Benjamin F. Pigman,
business MANAGER of thl Indian
apolis Post, which suspended pub
lication several weeks ago, and in
which the mayor was interested.
The courtroom was closed by
bailiffs to spectators after all seats
and standing room were taken.
The mayor calmly watched the
proceedings, leaning forward &c
whisper suggestion to his attor-
neys now and then. The mayor
once was practicing attorney. =
Twenty-eight men called for jury
service out of the regular and special
venires were left to be examined
1t was considered likely that
another special venire would be
called before a jury is obtained.
The jurors will decide whether
Duvall should be punished upon an
affidavit which alleges that in 1925
he failed to include in his campaign
expense account a contribution of
$4,000 from William H. Armitage,
then the political general of the
Shank city administration. y
The State also charges that Du-
vail, in return for this unlisted
contribution, promised Arrnitage
that he could name the city civil
engineer and two members of the
board of works.
The affidavit was one of seven
filed against the Mayor May II.
The man who controls such off,
cials in indianapolis can control the
kind and quality of street paving,
sewers, sidewalks and other improve
mentS.
Jury In Two Days
= The attorneys expected to take at
least one day, and perhaps two, in
selecting jury. The trial may last
two weeks.
Attorney Michael A. Ryan, for
Duvall, took minute precautions in
his examination of prospective ju-
rors. The defense was particularly
anxious to find out whether the
talesmen had read newspaper ac-
counts of steps leading up to the
trial, what newspapers had been
read, whether there was any ac-
quaintanceship with Duyall, the
prosecutors, witnesses who have ap-
ipeared before the grand jury, Will
liam H. Armitage, William H. Free
man, former board of works MEM
her; Ernest Kingsley, former city
hall employe; Joie Jacobson, an
agent of Armitage; Harvey w. Bed