The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-04
U. S. REFUSES
REQUEST FOR
500 DEPUTIES
Sargent Denies Help to
Chicago in Primary
Elections.
STATE, JUDGE CLASH
Federal Justice BaIkS Move
to Try Dry Agent in
Lower Court.

WASHINGTON, April Att
torney General Sargent refused to-
day to grant the request of the
United States Marshal at Chicago
to swear in 500 deputies to main
tain order at the primary election,
April 10.
In a telegram to Marshal Ander-
son, Sargent said:
"In response to your request for
authority to appoint special deputy
marShals in the coming primary
election I find no ground for alter
ing the decision made two years ago
upon similar request from you and
that there is no warrant of law for
such authority and therefore I can
not grant your request"
Instructions to the April Federal
grand jury by Judge James H. Will
kerson Tuesday at first had been
construed as indicating the Gov
ernment's intention of extending
its jurisdiction into the primaries
to insure order at the polls.
Outlined Federal Powers
Judge Wilkerson explained to the
grand jury his reason for the
lengthy instructions.
"The United States Attorney
George E. o. Johnson, has Informed
me there are certain measures which
are to be brought to your attention"
he said, ~and in light of that in
formation, I wish to charge you
specially with references to GER
tain matters
The court cited statutes by which
flle grand jury is empowered to in
dict persons who attack or threaten
the person or property of a United
States officer; those who interfere
with or threaten persons exercising
their rights to vote, or those who
corrupt witnesses in any legal pro-
ceeding.
The courts reference to the Con-
stitution in citing the supremacy
of national laws over State laws was
linked to the dispute between Chi
cago city officials and Federal
authorities over the right to prose-
cute a Federal prohibition agent
charged with shooting a municipal
court bailiff.
State Seeks to Try Caffey
Earlier in the day Corporation
Counsel Samuel Ettelson, supported
by three assistant States attorneys,
argued before Judge Wilkerson that
State courts should have the
privilege Of trying Myron Caffey, dry
agent, who shot William Beatty,
municipal court bailiff, in a dry
raid last week.
Federal officials contending Fed
eral Courts should try Caffey, had
obtained from Wilkerson a writ Of
habeas corpus cum causa which in
effect forbids any court, but his own
from hearing charges against Caffey.
The city and State attorneys sought
to have the writ set aside.
Judge Wilkerson took the case
under consideration.
Local attorneys and administra-
ton politicians charged the United
States District Attorneys office was
trying to shield Caffey, whom they
characterized as a "'quick trigger
raider"
Charge Cleanup Political
The Beatty shooting climaxed
weeks of intensive activity by
squad of special prohibition agents
detailed from Washington to Clean
up" Chicago.
Mayor William Hale Thompson
and States Attorney Robert E.
Grove charged that Senator Deneen.
their rival for political control of
the Republican party in Chicago
and Cook County, had used his in
fluence to direct the cleanup as a
political move against them in the
primary campaign.
Despite these charges, attaches of
the office of United States District
Attorney George E. @. Johnson
echoed assurances of Washington
prohibition chiefs that the cleanup
had nothing to do with the political
situation and that the activity of
the special agents would continue.