The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-04
BROWN GETS
FOOTHOLD IN
ROAD BATTLE
Wins SkirmlSheS From
0uSted Director of State
Highway Work.
WILLIAMS ON OUTSIDE
But Still Declares He Is Real
Department Head; Both
at Office.


John J. Brown new state high
way director, and the state highway
commission appeared this afternoon
to have won a second Shrmish in
the battle to rid the statehouse OF
John D. Williams, the former high
way director. Found guilty of in
efficiency, Williams says he just
will not be ousted.
While Williams sat in the office of
his lawyer, James Bingham, on the
fifteenth floor Of the City Trust
building proclaiming: Il am the
highway director" Brown went
about the work of the highway
director in the statehou~c annex,
and held undiSputed physical pos
session of the desk. chairs, maps,
pens, pencils and other visible ac-
coutrements.
Brown appeared also to have
slipped up a point on Williams in
the matter of who has control of
the $4,000 balance in the highway
department revolving fund, which
for the current month is deposited
in the Bankers Trust Company, in
Williams name.
Bank Is Notified
One of the first things Williams
did after he was notified he had
been discharged by the commission
Wednesday afternoon was to no.
tify the bank that it was to honor
checks on the revolving fund when
signed only by him.
The highway commission called
z. w. Rogers, secretary treasurer of
the Bankers Trust Company into
conference this morning. After the
little get-together Rogers an
nounced:
we will honor such checks
signed by Williams as now are out.
After that I don't want to say any
thing"
Chairman Albert J. Wedeking Of
the commission gave out a little
more definite information He de-
clared that the banking matter was
satisfactorily arranged and that
Brown would sign the checks and
they would be paid
L don't think it will be neces-
sary." Wedeking said. when asked
II any legal action was contem-
plated to compel the bank to ignore
Williams and recognize Brown.
Brown participated in the open
ing OF bids on several important
highway projects this morning. He
came to the office about 8 a. M
and started fsmuiarizing himself
with his new duties.
Williams Leaves Soon
About 10 a. M. Williams came to
the office. Brown had gone over to
the StatehouSe. Williams took off
his coat. looked over the mail that
was addressed to him and in about
half an hour went on to his lawyers
office
Up 10 this afternoon Brown and
Williams had not met since Williams
was ousted and Brown appointed to
the $500 a year job.
Bingham said Williams might
show up at the highway office Fri
day in which case the city may be
treated to the same spectacle as
provided nationwide fun two years
ago when two claimants of the
mayors Office tried to occupy the
same chair.
Matter May Go to Court.
Bingham and Williams today sent
for the transcript of evidence at the
hearing and were going over it.
This would indicate that the mat
ter will be taken to court, but
the defense appeared to prefer that
the commission institute quo war
ranto proceedings.
Walks Out Of Hearing
Hearing on the custer charges
was before the commission in their
rooms in the Statehouse annex
Wednesday afternoon.
Counsel for Williams presented a
lengthy answer to each of the
twenty-five definite charges and
then filed objection and protest tc
the proceeding, which was over
ruled.
williams and Bingham then
stalked from the room. The at
torney explained, upon request Of
Charles F. Werner, assistant at
torney- general. who was on hand &c
prosecute the charges, that the
hearing is not hearing
Charge Leslie Move
He didn't question the right OF
the commission TO hear charges
under the statute but asserted. as
his motion pointed out that this
particular commission had prejudgec
the case and justice would not OBJ
tain.
Williams and Bingham then re-
tired to the directors Office, where
the highway chief announced that
he would stand pat"
Commissioners heard six witneSSe:
supporting their charges OF ineflci'
ency and neglec. of duty. Then the!
announced that the charges wer,
sustained and Williams was ousted
Brown then was summoned from
the office of Governor Harry G. Les
lie. Williams has contended tha
the whole move was ordered by Les
Is "a give Brown the place.