The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-21
ALLEGATION IS
MADE IN LAKE
COUNTY QUIZ
Assurance of Judge Slick
Repeated as HearSay
Evidence.
GARY HEAD TESTIFIES
Tells Federal Authorities of
Chicago Meeting Be-
tween Bosses

Assurance by Federal Judge
Thomas w. Slick that nothing would
come of the Lake county inveStiga-
tions, and that the Watson organi-
zation would get" the job of Oliver
Loomis, United States district at
torney for northern Indiana, was
repeated as hearsay evidence before
the federal grand jury at South
Bend Friday, according to the Chi
cago Tribune.
Ralph B. Bradford of Gary. Re-
publican politician, not connected
with the organization of Senator
James E. Watson, testified before
the grand jury concerning a story
told him by a "Mr x
The mysterious "Mr y" told Brad
ford, the Tribune says. that on
July 4, Senator Watson. Judge
Slick. and M. Burt Thurman of In
dianapoliS, Republican national
committeeman, met in Chicago.
During the conference, according to
"Mr. X" Judge Slick is said to have
told Watson that nothing would
come of the Lake county investiga-
ton; that only a few bootleggers
would be indicted and certainly no
officials
Through With LOOmis
Mr.. X" is said to have quoted
Thurman as saying that they" we're
through with Loomis and we're
going to get" his job.
Bradford first made this state
ment to the department Of justice
operatives in Chicago.
When it became known, Judge
Slick admitted that there had been
meeting in Chicago and gave out
correspondence dealing with the
event and denying that the Lake
county situation was discussed.
The first letter is from Judge
Slick to Senator Watson and, in
part, says:
"A matter Just has come to my
attention which surprises me very
much, and it is needless to say is
very annoying and l know will be
as much a surprise and quite an
annoyance to you.
THE story is to the effect that,
at an interview which l had with
you in Chicago recently 7 gave you
positive assurance that nothing
would come of certain irregularities
in Lake county, I think the irregu-
larities we're with reference to the
illegal voting at the last election.
"Of course, you know, as we'll as l,
that this matter was not discussed
between you and myself and no
such assurances were asked by you
or given by me"
Annoyed at Thurman
Judge Slick continues to say that
he could not give such assurances
that would involve any control of
the return of the indictments by a
grand jury, because all I have 10
do is to summon the grand jury
and instruct them"
What particularly annoys me is
the report or rumor that Bert Thur
man gave out information TO the
effect that you and Bert and I alked
over this matter in Chicago and
gave you all the assurance described
above.
IT think Bert Thurman should
make a positive statement either to
the effect that the report is true
and he gave it out as the truth,
which of course is not the fact, or
else he should say that he did not
make the statement, if in fact he
did not; or else he shoui dsay, II
he did make the statement, that it
is not true"
n answer, Senator Watson de-
clared that Fred Miller, publisher Of
the South Bend Tribune, wrote him
about the statement and Il sent him
one assuring him that you and
never had discussed the Lake coun-
ty situation and, of course, that is
true" Watson wrote.
Denies All knowledge
II am writing Bert Thurman a
letter and am sure he will comply
with your request"
Thurman complied with Sticks
request on July 81, saying:
'I assure you, my dear judge, that
I never have, on any occasion, made
reference to the Lake county case.
First. know nothing whatever
about it. Second. I am not inter-
ested. Third. because you know
that I have too much respect for
you as a judge to even hint such a
thing.
1T does seem rather annoying
that friends can not meet unless
some sinister person misinterprets