The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-31
FLAYS COFFIN
FOR CORRUPT
G. 0. ?. HOLD
Boss Has Erected System
of Patronage, Says
Former Judge.
SCHOOL DECAY CITED
Tossing Away of Public
Money Charge Hurled
by RemSter.
BY BEN STERN

Before the bar of public opinion
today George V. Coffin stood III
dicted on six counts:
l. COrrupting a political party.
2. Creating new offices and in
creasing salaries for his henchmen.
3. Causing a 100 per cent increase
in the expenses of operating Marion
county.
4. Wanton waste of the taxpayers
money.
5. Corruption of the public school
system for the purpose of serving
political ends.
6. Throwing county printing bust
ness to the Levey Printing Com
pany, whose head, Alfred NJ. Gloss
brenner, is Republican candidate for
mayor.
The indianapolis public today is
the judge and Charles Remster,
former circuit court judge, is the
prosecutor, who set forth the facts
upon which the indictment" is
based, in an address Wednesday
night over radio station WFBM.
This is not a contest between the
Republican party and the Dem
ocratic party. It is a contest in
truth and in fact between the good,
home-loving taxpayers of Indian
apolis and CofiniSm," declared
Remster.
ut is true that Cofinism has
masked behind a party emblem,
but it has stolen the livery of the
Republican party and is parading in
such livery to the everlasting
chagrin and indignation of thou
sands of well-meaning Republicans.
Flags Coffin Ticket
-Four years ago Coffinism masked
itself behind a party emblem with
what was asserted to be a respect
able ticket. In truth Ind in fact, it
was COfinism, nothing more and
nothing less. The so-thOught, re-
spectacle candidate, including the
four horsemen, subsequently plead
ed guilty or was convicted of helm
Gus criminal OffenSes.
In order to hold this all-controll-
ing organization Coffin has caused
to be created new offices and caused
salaries to be increased to further
entrench itself beyond the posi-
bility of diSlodgement. It's supreme
reign has been so unprecedently
costly that the backs of the tax
payers are bending and unless Cof-
finism is destroyed their backs will
break.
In 1928 the people of Indian
apoliS paid in taxes S15,000000. In
1924 Coffin got in control and the
taxes collected totaled S16000,00O
In 1925 it was more than $4,000, 900.
In 1927 it was in excess of ST.
100000: in 1928 it again was in eX-
cess of S18,000,0OO, and the 1929
assessment requires the people to
pay $19000,000, an increase of
S4OOO,O00 for the city alone since
1923.
Tax Increase Pointed Out
From the day Coffin became chief
the rate has been increased from
S2.48 to 1888, besides Increased val
uationS.
Detail of the financial situation
in Marion county diScloseS, eXceS-
Sive, wanton waste of the taxpayers
money. In 1928, the assessed valu-
alton of the county was S710,626, ,920
and the taxes levied totaled 81 1872
3l6. The next year, valuations were
increased S21,00O.000 and the levy
was 100000. The increase con-
tinued until this year when the
levy totals s3OOO,oOo
In 1928, the county tax rate was
81 cents. the very next year Coffin
ism raised it to a 26ie cents and in
1925 to 81 cents. and this year, it is
3S cents.
"On Jan. l, 1924, the school city
was in debt 50 100000; today its
Indebtedness totals $11,524,000 al
though its income has been in
creased from S5,102,166 to s7,026,-
Ala.
Cites Waste Example
"An example of waste is seen in
1924 when the county borrowed
SIS. 900 at 5 per cent with which to
build a bridge over the canal at
Meridian street. which never has
been used. No wheel has ever run
over this bridge because there IS
nothing on the other side but
dead end.
The candidate of CoffiniSm has
said in public addresses that he has
made no promises and is under no
obligation to CofflniSm. Notwith-
standing his word. it is q recorded
fact that no sooner was Coflnism
enthroned than the concern Of
which he is at the head received a
contract for the county printing, has
received it every year since and has
now such a contract.
1--WE now come TO the last and
saddeSt chapter of Coffinisu, the
political corruption of the public
schools system for the purpose Of
serving political ends.
Not many years ago citizens Of
this city were proud TO proclaim
that it stood second in the great
city school systems Of the land To-
day it has deteriorated and it stands