The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-05
GRAND JURORS
WANT TO DROP
BALLOT PROBE
Three Object to Continuing
Their Investigation of
Alleged Corruption.
BY EDWARD c. FULKE

r
brunt of buck passing" three
members of the Marion county
grand Jury object emphatically tx
continuing the primary election cor
ruption probe, it was learned from
reliable sources today at court.
house.
One-half of the grand jury mem.
hers, the informant disclosed, re.
volt against the idea of taking ur
the probe where a succeeding g-'anc
Jury ended after reporting thai
astounding corruption" was un-
covered during the investigation this
spring.
While county council prepares tc
act en- a request for $4,000 to pay
for continued investigation, three
members of the new jury have tolc
prosecutors they wish to drop TINS
probe, according to the informant
Disapproye Request
These jurors, it was learned, dSi-
approved of asking the county for
funds, and claim that the preceding
grand jury shirked responsibility in
failing to return indictments, de-
spite numerous instances of corrup-
ton unearthed.
The three dissenting members,
however, joined in asking Criminal
Judge James A. Collins to obtain
money from the county Golfers to
complete the probe, it was learned.
The situation is not expected to
come to a head until the jurors re-
turn from the August adjournment.
They were in session only ten days
before being excused for the sum-
mer.
Considerable criticism was aimed
at Charles G. Fitch, foreman of the
old grand jury, it was learned, IN
assertions of dissenting members OF
the new jury that "he led his grand
Jury into throwing up the sponge"
Made in Jury Room
The latter statement is said to
have been made in the grand jury
room last week when the matter of
asking the county for $4,000 was
brought UP.
This request, as later submitted to
Collins, was drawn outside OF the
grand jury chamber, it was revealed
Judge Collins, defeated candidate
for denomination to the criminal
court bench, originally launched the
corruption probe, and when the
first grand jury failed to return in
dictments, Collins instructed in
coming jurors to continue the probe.
The retiring grand jury, branding
primary elections "farces" and rec
ommending radical changes in the
primary system, reported they en-
countered situations almost I'M
possible of unraveling."
Padding of Ballots
They reported specific instances
of corruption, including use of tic-
titious names, padding OF ballots,
importing of "f1oaters," ballot mutt
lation and vote stealing. Lack of
time and limited facilities were
blamed by that jury for returning
no indictments. They urged par
ticularly that the probe be carried
on by their successors.
In order to fix definitely the
blame for crimes exposed by the old
grand jury, the new body petitioned
Collins for money to adequately
and speedily investigate complaints
of law violations in the election"
The petition was signed by each
of the six jurors, without any at
tempt by dissenting members to
publicly state objections to con-
tinuing the probe.
Information given The Times
drew no comment from four mem
bers of the quiz body when asked
today for expressions on the situa-
ton. John M. Gullifer, New Au-
gusta, jury foreman, said Il DOM
think I have anything to say right
now"
County council once refused t.
grant the jury funds to make the
Investigations, and when Collins
petition is considered by them Sept
2, it is expected the request will
meet the same fate Collins and the
county council are opposed polit-
ically.
Earl Cox, Democratic attorney, In
charge of the probe by Collins ap-
pointment, declined to comment.