The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-05
BALK Efforts
TO FREE TWO
In Blast QUIZ
$4,000 Bond for LiboWitz
Is Turned Down by
Sheriff.
WRIGHT MOVE FAILS
Machine Gun Death Suspect
Blocked in Liberty
Writ Attempt.

Attempts of attorneys to get two
men held in the investigation of
circumstances of the Traugott cloth
ing store explosion away from con-
slant surveillance of detectives
temporarily were blocked today.
The lawyers could not get Harold
Libowitz, %, of 80 N. Jefferson Ave,
charged with arson, under $4,000
bond and they likewise failed to get
an immediate wHit of habeas corpus
for the release of Homer Wright, 27,
of 1929 N. Alabama St., friend of
Edward Traugott, one OF the owners
Of the clothing store.
Wright has not been connected
with the explosion, but detectives
have been interested in the fact
they found Traugott in Wright's
home when they arrested Wright
for questioning about the machine
gun murder Of Edward Eckerlee,
alias Shannon, near Clinton, Ind,
three weeks ago.
Superior Judge William o. Dun
lazy continued hearing upon the
habeas corpus plea of Wright until
Thursday afternoon. Attorney Ira
M. Holmes contended Wright was
wrongfully held since detectives had
charged him with nothing but
vagrancy and his bond was placed
at $4,000.
Hearing Is Continued
The hearing was continued when
Prosecutor William H. Remy de-
clared that Wright was wanted for
bank robbery in Dayton, Ohio. Reny
filed a fugitive charge against
Wright this afternoon. Judge Col
Inns set his bond on this charge at
$4,000. He was returned to county
Jail.
Holmes presented a $4,000 sure
ty bond for Libowitz to Sheriff
Omer Hawkins at county Jail Mon
day night, but the sheriff referred
him to Judge James A. Collins of
Criminal Court. Judge Collins
directed Holmes to present the bond
in court. Holmes had not appeared
at late hour.
Libowitz is charged in an affidavit
with arson. He is in Methodist
Hospital, still under arrest, suffering
from terrible burns. He was found
beneath flaming timbers behind the
Traugott store, 215-217 w. Washing
ton St., few minutes after the ex-
plosion and fire the night of Aug. 26.
State Quiz Near End
Deputy State Fire Marshal Harry
E. Gates announced that the State
quiz into the explosion was COM
pleted, with exception of auditing
books of the store, seized soon after
the fire, is practically COM
pleted. Gates said evidence gath
cred will be turned over to the
prosecutors Office and future moves
in the investigation would be di-
rected by that official. The grand
jury is expected to investigate the
fire as a matter of regular routine.
Prosecutor William H. Remy said
he did not intend to take formal
charge of the inquiry, but would
work with all investigating agencies.
Libowitz has not been free from
surveillance of a detective since he
was taken to city hospital the night
of the fire. He was transferred to
Methodist Hospital Monday upon
advice of his private physician and
with consent of police. No one can
talk with him without permission
from higher officials.
His condition is such that he could
not leave the hospital, even if his
bond is accepted, Holmes said. How
ever, if he were. under bond, police
could not haunt his hospital room
doorstep and he could receive such
visitors as his doctor would permit.
Excluded From Store'
All members of the coterie ar
rested on vagrancy charges in the
investigation Of the Eckerlee murder
case, except Mrs. Mary Ryan of
Kansas City, remained in Jail to-
day. Bondsmen surrendered Wright
and Mrs. James Walker of this
group Monday and Tuesday. and
Municipal Judge Paul G. Wetter
fixed new bonds. Wright's remained
at $4,000 and Mrs. Walkers was re-
duced to $4,000. Mrs. Ryan is out
on $4,000 bond but was to be sur
rendered and placed under new
$4,000 bond, as reduced by Wetter.
Holmes, who Is in charge of ne
gotiations with eleven insurance
companies holding $66,000 in poll
cies on the Traugott store, said no
estimate of the damage has been
arrived at. He declared that the
fire marshals Office has excluded
us" from the store and we could
not ascertain how much Of the
damaged goods could be Salvaged.
SO I called upon the insurance
companies to place one of their men
in charge of this, and they have
done so. AS soon as possible the
store will be temporarily opened, to
dispose of the salvage, and then it
will be remodeled and business con-
tinued as usual 4"