The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-28
ONE MORE REASON

Once more there is delay in an argument on q
motion and another delay in bringing to trial the
members of the State highway commission who were
indicted two years ago.
This delay should be just one more reason for
consideration and passage of the resolution of In.
vestigation into conditions of the State government
presented early in the Legislature
For two years there has been a bombardment
oil charge and counter charge between two State
bodies. The highway commission declares that the
Indictment OF its members were the result of con-
spiracy-and they name the State board of accounts
as part of the conspiracy and at times hint that
polucal rewards were given for these indictments
But that may be mere defense They may be
guilty. And if they are guilty, it is inconceivabIe
that they should be left in charge of the spending
OF millions of dollars of the peoples money.
II there were cases which, in the name of public
interest would seem to demand that swift trial guar
anteed to every accused person and essential to the
public If 1t desires to punish the guilty it is these
cases.
The resolution before the Legislature contains
provision that all the incidents surrounding these
matters be investigated 1t demands that the Marion
County grand jury which returned the indictment ba
probed 1t asks that the highway body be probed
and that the State boar dof accounts be questioned
as to its activities
0HSO IL SCSuio llupOSSlDle 10 secure trial which
might bring out all the facts, at least trial within
period in which the facts will be within the mem
DRY OF living witnesses, the Legislature might well
step in and disclose them
There are in that resolution other charges quite
as important and perhaps more important
mere is a demand that the last Marion County
grand jury also be investigated forced to disclose
the unusual conditions to which it itself called at
tention in its report
mat last grand jury investigated the so-caled
Stephenson charges. 1t specifically exonerated
state" officials. It gave no such exoneration N
officials of lesser degree and itself suggested that II
mad not done its whole duty and that IL was i'm,
possible to do It,
The people are entitled to know why that con-
diton existed. 1t is entitled to know whether the
expenditure Of many thousands of dollars from the
contingent fund Of the Governor an exnendjture
which is now resulting in demand for more money.
had anything to do with the verdict
The people, too, are entitled to know wbsthor
'nere was truth in the charge made by the CORPORA
ton counsel of this city that $4,000 camnase frd
from the corporations influenced the attitude and
tue personality of the public service commission
Inc Legislature will certainly be in better no.
siion 10 egisiate concerning that body IL It knows
the truth or fasity of this charge.
II II be false, then perhaps the present commits
SION may not be so harshly censured and 1t is cen.
sured and in common disrepute
II 1t be true then the Legislature may find il
necessary to provide other means of securing COM
mission than by giving the appointive power to one
who was interested in these funds
In view of the delay of courts, the apparent in,
ability to secure any positive judgment from them
in which the people have confidence, the Legislature
surely will not dare to refuse to conduct thorough
and honest inquiry into all these matters