The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-10

The explanation or WalD OIL
his activities in behalf of Per-
feet is given in this statement
which he made to The Times {:
"Walb Construction Company Sc
curities are owned by several parties
in the city of Ft. Wayne. Among
those who bought these securities
was Arthur H. Perfect, who made
his purchase on or about Sept. !.
No Connection Seen
ITO my knowledge this sale of Sc
curities to Mr.. Perfect had no con-
nection with any assistance rem
dered the family of T. Guy Perfect.
"As for the matter Of his release
from prison, want to say that the
Judge and prosecuting attorney,
Protestant and Catholic ministers,
and the public in general in that
vicinity joined in requesting that
Guy Perfect be paroled. This to me
showed the justice of the petition
for clemency.
"I asked Harry Fenton to inves-
tigate the matter and report
whether the parole board would feel
justified in taking further action in
the matter. Also whether the board
members felt that they would con-
slider it favorably.
Harry Fenton made his report
to me as per his letter Of July H."
Parole is Granted
On Aug. 8, after the Republican
State chairman had intervened in
this matter, the prison board
granted Perfect the parole which 1t
had refused in May.
The parole had been repeatedly
refused by the old board OF pardons,
abolished by the last Legislature.
Frederick Schortemeier, Secretary
of State and responsible for the Sc
curities commission, said, when
questioned regarding the matter this
week. that the permit to sell $780,
900 of the stock had been Withdrawn
after $4,000 of the securities had
been sold by Walb.
The activities Of Walb and his
interest in the release OF Perfect
became known through a letter sent
to the State chairman by Harry @.
Fenton, secretary of the committee.
That letter shows that Fenton was
directed by Walb to make a survey
of the prison board to discover the
chances of obtaining liberty for Per-
feet, which had been denied in May,
Just two months previously.
One of the rules OF the prison
board is not to consider case
within a year after clemency has
been denied
Fenton reported that one member
of the board, John L. Norman OF
Knox, was willing but that two 9th
ers had yellow streaks" and might
balk on a matter which would
arouse public indignation.
Wanted to Help
When interviewed, Fenton readily
admitted having written the letter
and explained that he was willing
to help anyone in trouble.
When asked If the sale OF the
stock for $4,000 had anything to do
with the matter he replied:
IT have had nothing to do with
Mr.. Walb in business. Our relations
have come about through politics" J"
Perfect's parole by Governor Ed
jackson on recommendation Of the
prison board, after he had served
but fifteen months Of 2 to al
year sentence, caused surprise, be-
cause previous efforts in his behalf
had failed and the board Of par
dons abolished by the last Legisla-
ture peSsistently had refused to
listen.
The crime for which Perfect was
convicted shocked the city OF Hunt
ington, when it took place several
years ago. The charge was made
by 14-year-old girl. 1t was proved
that the girl had been attacked by
Perfect while In his employ.
She was below the age of consent,
girl whom the law says Is entitled
to protection and care and not mis-
treatment from mature men.
At the time of his arrest, Perfect
was accounted one of the wealthy
men of Huntington.
The case was fought bitterly