The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-06

The saloonkeepers, the brew
cry owners, the whisky whole
salers, always were willing to
"chip in" to help elect county
or state S attorney, a member
of the legislature or the city
council, who would be broad
minded, as they termed it, on
the liquor question.
I will not confess yet to being
old, but do not expect to live long
enough to witness a complete di-
vorcement of politics and the liquor
trade, legitimate or illegitimate.
Party Inherits Fortune
Let's see how politics and liquor
maintain their alliance under pro-
hibition
Not so long ago a politician of
national rank-a recognized leader
Of his party and for some years a
senator-died, leaving in safe de-
posit vault quarter million dol
lars in cash. He had much other
property, but the quarter million
dollars did not go into his estate.
Why? Because his heirs released
the money to another politician,
also of national rank. Certainly
none of the politicians who handled
the money prof1ted personally by
its possession. They were not of
that type.
Where did the quarter million
dollars come from originally? Eas-
lily answered. The politician first
mentioned-the man who died with
a quarter million dollars in his safe
deposit box which his heirs didn't
want - practically controlled the
government of an entire state in
which prohibition enforcement had
been and is most lax.
Law enforcement officers there
danced when he pulled the string.
Elections we're just professions of
his creatures into office. But elec-
tions mean political campaigns
electors must be told" and be made
to like it. Political campaigns can
not be run on oratory and spell
binding alone-even in that politi-
cian-ridden commonwealth. Money,
and gobs of it, is essential to do the
trick.
Boss Needed Money
The big boss mentioned above
NEEDED money, it seems, with which
to meet a campaign deficit. For
that reason and others (partly to
maintain his political controD, he
secured the appointment of a po-
litical friend of his as prohibition
director. This man was wealthy
and personally honest. He spent
most of his time elsewhere and per-
niitted two other men to direct "en-
forcement" efforts in his district.
They managed affairs so efficient
" that practically all those within
the state who wanted permits for
the manufacture. use, or sale of al
cohol, and the operation OF near
beer breweries, we're satisfied emf
nently. Their satisfaction was such
that they were glad to contribute
large sums, including the quarter
million dollars which found its way
into a safe-deposit vault.
The influence of liquor in politics
begins down in the city wards ard
country districts. But it extends,
If it can, up to the cabinet and the
White House in Washington.
Remus Near Freedom
After the notorious king of
bootleggers," George Remus, had
been convicted. and successfully
lost his appeals to the circuit court
and the supreme court of the
United States. the rumor reached
me that he never would serve day
in Atlanta prison, to which he had
been sentenced. A few days later,
a phone call came from the White
House, stating that respite of
sixty days would be granted
Remus if the encouragement
would send over the necessary pa
pers to effect that result.
Prominent politicians, including
the then Senator Reed of Missouri,
had intervened with the President
to urge delay.
The natural impulse when the
White House phones to any depart
ment is to rush into acquieScence
TO the request. But Attorney-Gen-
nraI Stone vieued IL as = dfftv Ia