The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-15

ing 10 resign.
Defense Carries Point
Q-Give the conversation, what
you and Jackson said on the occa
sion when you talked to him before
appointment of the prosecutor? The
defense objected and Johnson with
drew the question.
Q-How long was it before the
actual resignation of Evans? Al
don't know definitely. A few days
before.
johnson directed his attention to
the conversation Stephenson had
with jackson and asked: Detail
to the jury what was said by you
and Jackson in respect to that ap-
pointment.
Juror Everett McClain asked the
court to have the witness move
farther out on the stand, because
he couldn't even see him from
here"
Stephenson laughed and moved
his chair out. Then he attempted
to repeat the question, with John
son instructing him to let the court
reporter read it,
His answer was that it was inn
possible to give the exact language,
but he thought he could relate the
substance of the conversation.
A-As I recall it, jackson had
been informed that Evans was
going to resign and if the sue
cessor was a man who used the
office and its political influence
against us, it might harm his can
didacy.
Jackson said he believed the
situation was important enough
for us to interest ourselves in the
appointment of Evans successor.
That was about the substance
of it.
Q-When did you next talk this
over? Ave discussed it at different
conferences. We talked about
exerting all possible efforts to obtain
appointment Of q successor. In
substance, that's it. It was said
several times that the appointment
was important and if it got into
the hands of man unfriendly to
our politics it might be used against
us, while if man friendly to US
was in the place it would be the
reverse. I talked to Coffin, and
Coffin said he had heard Evans was
going to resign rather than pros
ecute his father-in-law.
Met Just Before Resignation
Johnson recalled to Stephenson
that the date of Evans resignation
vas Dec. 8, 1928, and asked him
how long before this he had his
conversations with Coffin
Aust a few days before.
Both jackson and Coffin were
present. am not positive of the
date of the conference, but I
knew it was before the resigna-
ton. The sense of the conference
and conversation was this: That
it was an important post to be
filed and some persons were at
tempting to get their candidate
in, and it was up to us to play
the game in Marion County.
Coffin said if one hostile to us got
the office, it would be against the
organization, but if some one
friendly went it, it would not hurt
us. but might aid
On one occasion Jackson, Marsh,
Coffin and I were in an elevator in
the Indiana Trust Bldg. and re-
marked had been asked to get to
Noel and make him proposition to
offer McCray $4,000 for his counsel
if he would appoint as prosecutor
someone designated by our group.
Dangerous, Said Coffin
/ Q-What did any of the three say
on that occasion? A-Coffin said, 1
remember well, It's dangerous bust
ness buying a Governor I've got an
appointment with my wife He went
right home.
Odd you have any other dis
cussion with the three relative to
this matter before Evans resigned?
Ayes, met them practically every
day. don't recall the definite times
Q-Before Evans appointment,
was anything said about presenting
the proposition to McCray? Ayes,
there was some discussion of it.
Q-Where? AIT all the meet
ings.
Q-What was said? A-From what
they said, efforts had been made to
control the appointment of Evans
successor and the effort would grow
more intense after the resignation,
when a successor had to be named
Immediately.
Gives Substance of Talk
Q-Was anything said about a
promise to McCray? A-That was
five years ago. I don't recall
definite statements.
Q-Give the substance of what
was said. A--Well, was to see
Noel and tell him we would donate
$4,000 for McCray's counsel in the
event Noel persuaded McCray to
name the prosecutor we desig-
mated. 1t was agreed Marsh would
introduce me to Noel.
Stephenson said they discussed
the possibility of a reaction by
Noel to the proposition, but that
Marsh assured him Noel was a
high type man." He related that
Marsh took him to Noel and that
he explained the proposition to
him, being directed to return to
Noel's Office at 2 p. m. for answer.
Q-When you came back, what did
Noel say? Ale said McCray re-
sented the offer. I felt that was
in the position of having attempted
to trade on McCray's misfortune.
Q-After your conversation with
Noel, did you have any further con-
versation with Jackson or Coffin?