The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-31
Names of Men on Panel at
South Bend Kept Secret
by LoomiS.
CRIMINAL RING CHARGED
Liquor, Vice and Politics
Declared as LaW-Defying
Combine.

BIZ Times Special
SOUTH BEND, Ind, Aug. 81
Investigation of charges that liquor
dealing, vice and politics are linked
in a powerful group virtually su-
perceding the law in Lake county,
opened here today with convening
of a grand jury in the northern
Indiana United States district court.
Identity of jurymen summoned by
the government is being kept secret.
District Attorney Oliver M. LoomiS
is taking extra precaution to pre-
vent agents of the alleged ring from
making contact with any of the
prospective jurymen.
1t is expected at least 100 per-
sops will be indicted, because of
wide ramiflcations of the alleged
ring in Indiana's strongest Repub-
lican county, each indictment issued
will probably include several names.
Despite reports that United States
Attorney General William Mitchell
would appoint special assistant to
handle the presentation of evidence
to the jury and subsequent trials,
District Attorney LoonliS will prob
ably be left in charge. He will be
assisted by George Rulison and the
newly appointed assistant district
attorney, William Duff, LAGRANGE.
Announces Aid Pledged
Loomis opened his case against
the Lake county situation only a
week after he visited Washington,
D. c., where he consulted with the
encouragement on the manner of
prosecution. On his return, Loomis
asserted that he had been promised
full cooperation of every force at
the hand of the attorneys general.
Loomis is an appointee Of United
States Senator Arthur r. Robinson.
Many of those involved are men,
bers Of the powerful machine
through which Senator James E.
Watson has rolled up heavy plurali-
ties In Lake county. A chief of
police. a mayor and several prohi-
bition agents, all strong Watson
supporters, are now free under
heavy bonds awaiting outcome of
4e Investigation as a result of
raids in East Chicago a month ago.
The present investigation is re-
suit of statewide demand for a
break in the alleged alliance between
crime and politics said to have de-
veloped after the presidential elec-
ton in November.
At that time the minority Re-
publican faction working through
the Democratic party made charges
of corruption on the part of the
dominant Watson machine.
Leading newspapers throughout
the state, The indianapolis Times
among them. called for more de-
termined action on Loomis part.
Returned After Criticism
Loomis, who was spending a va
cation in Oklahoma, at the time
the first grand jury was due to con-
vene three months ago. was aroused
by the press demands and returned
in time to conduct the inquiry. No
indictments were returned, but the
jury recommended that the govern
ment pursue its inquiry.
1t was pursued. Startling evi-
dences Of graft, wholesale beer and
"alky" running, vice concessions and
other law defying practices were re-
vealed during the two months that
ensued between the first jury probe
and the raid on Lake county.
Federal Judge Thomas w. Slick
charged the jurors this morning and
then left for Brooklyn, N. Y, where
he is to sit on the federal district
bench for a month. Should the
jury conclude its work before his
return, Judge Robert Baltzell of
indianapolis will accept its report.
The jury was to complete organi-
zation today. Real work of the in
vestigation will not begin before
Tuesday, as the panel will adjourn
over the week end and no session
will be held on Labor day.