The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-02-21
deny COFFIN
OR Lose Job
C. O.P. STAND
SIS FifieId Employees Must
Decide on Allegiance,
Is Warning.
QUIZ BLOW AT CONTROL
State Police Heads Among
Workers to Be Pressed
for DenunCiatiOn.
QUIZ BLOW AT CONTROL

Sixty-five employees of the secre-
tary of state who live in Marion
county will be forced to decide
within few days whether they
shall be aligned with George V.
Coffin or join the ranks of opposi-
ton, it was learned today.
Upon their answers probably will
depend retention Of their posts.
The question of Coffin or anti
Coffin" will be put by representa-
tives of the citizens Republican
committee, which has been formed
through the consolidation of all Of
the anti-Coffin forces.
Otto G.. Fi1eld, secretary Of state,
approved the plan Of interrogation
in a conference with Rae Powell,
chairman of the junior Republican
committee, which also has aligned
itself with the Marion Club and the
new woman's organization in the
fight to GUST party organization off,
Gals controlled by Coffin.
Answers to Decide
Powell frankly declared that en-
ployes who will be questioned, will
be told that upon their answers and
efforts depends their future"
This is the first wholesale interro-
gatory as to organization alignment
to be held in the statehouse since
the new administration came into
Office thirteen months ago.
At that time, Governor Harry @.
Leslie declared he would purge the
statehouSe of Coffin henchmen, but
made few removals.
Fifield denied he inherited the
Coffin stamp when he retained the
employees recommended to his pre-
deecssor, Frederick E. Schortemeier,
by Coffin.
Sought Only to Please
"Tn retaining the employees, had
no thought of Coffin or anti-Coffin
lineup, but sought only to please the
organization" Fifeld said.
IF the organization has taken O
new complexion and is composed of
anti-Coff1n men who desire that his
henchmen be ousted, 1 am Re-
publican and always work with the
organization; the employees shall
have an opportunity to make their
own choice" Ftfield declared.
Il have granted Powell the right
to question the Marion county en-
ployes of my department as to their
organization lineup.
IF the reorganization faction
wins, it shall be my manifest duty
to accede to it's demand as to the
caliber Of my employees"
Powell pointed out that upon pat
ronage depends the very existence
of Coffin and if by showing to the
of1ceholders that through aligning
with Coffin they will jeOpardize their
own future, the ranks Of the reform
element will be strengthened greatly.
List to Be CulIed
"That of course does not mean
that we shall recommend the reten-
ton of every one who in the face
of crisis shall decide to line up
with us, but we will urge that the
list of employees be culled for those
who are detrimental to any organ
ization which attempts to represent
the party"
Among statehouse officials, the
plan was seen as a clever move on
Fifelds part to assure himself Of
Marion county support.
The protest against Coffin is of
sufficient strength to worry any
potential candidate in the fall elec-
ton. Marion county's 257 delegates
also will be an important factor in
the state convention.
Among the holders of important
posts who will have to declare their
position are Robert T. Hunes, chief
Of the state police, and John T.
Shinn, state police captain and Cof-
fin Seventh ward chairman.