The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-15
new MUNCIE
VOTE FRAUDS
CHARGED
Cheating on Wide Scale Is
Alleged After Probe
by Democrats.
PERILS VESTAL VICTORY
Burning of Ballots Alleged;
Contest Papers Soon
TO Be Filed.
BY Times stan Correspondent

BY Times staff Correspondent
MUNCIE, Nov. 15.-An amazing
recital Of improper balloting in the
Nov. 4 election doomed today as the
next sensation in this vote-embat-
tied city.
On it may hinge the next speaker
ship of the national house, the
leadership of many important con-
gressional committees, and all the
perquisites.
Brimful of charges, counter
charges and political dynamite, it
grows out of the contest between
Albert H. Vestal, Republican whip,
and Claude G. Ball, Democratic con-
tender. for election as congressman
from the Eighth district of Indiana.
Vestal and Ball, however, are more
or less on the sidelines; they have
been replaced by state and national
committees. This contest, in which
the Republican has but nine-vote
lead over his opponent, is pregnant
with legislative possibilities.
Democrats Investigate
Under the leadership of R. Earl
Peters, chairman, and Marshall Will
liams. secretary, of the Democratic
state committee, local adherents OF
the party quietly have been gather
ing evidence and testimony of al
legged irregularities since election
day.
When the first official moves are
made early next week, among the
charges scheduled for investigation
and development are:
/. That in Precinct "a (Muncie) /,
where Vestal was given a vote OF 8O3
to 497 for Ball, the precinct cleo
ton commissioners never we're
sworn in.
2. That in Precinct "a, more than
$50 voters were allowed to ballos
after p. M. the time specified for
closing of the polls.
3. That in the last rush Of from
$50 to 200 voters in Precinct "a, no
names or addresses were taken and
no attempt was made to verify
whether the voters we're legitimate.
More Votes Than Voters
4. That the vote of several con-
testants in Precinct "A exceeded the
number of voters in the precinct,
notably so in the Snodgrass-Puckett
battle for sheriff. Here, it is
charged, the total vote was l,483, or
1872 votes more than the precinct
poll of 1851.
5. That many names on the poll
books of Precinct "a were those OF
students at Ball State Normal col
lege, who were ineligible to vote.
6. That in Precinct "a mutilated
ballots later were counted as gen
uine ballots in certain contests.
7. That in Precinct 10 (Muncie)
irregularities resulting in later find
ing of twenty-seven ballots in
waste basket in the LongfelloW
schoolhouse also are said to have re-
suited in the burning or disappear
ance of other genuine but uncount-
ed votes.
8. That in one precinct in Muncie
whisky was used as a lure for votes,
and that in another a woman
watcher reported she had been paid
81 for every vote she secured.
Recount May Be Justified
9. That sufficient doubt remains
as to the already contested Twenty
second and Thirty first precincts,
where errors in tallying occurred,
to Justify an actual recount of The
ballots.
10. That in one precinct in Jay
county ninety-two Democratic
votes were destroyed to prevent a
Democratic majority. and that in
another precinct in tho same
county similar "mishap'' occurred.
Muncie, Injured as it is to polit-
zeal scandal, is in an uproar over
the whole affair. The public, gen.
orally speaking. has an idea that
it's another old story retold, and
that there's been some shenanigan
somewhere where it does not
know.
Candidate Ball is confident that
the contest will assure his election,
and says so.
Candidate Vestal, who already has
received his certificate of election
from the secretary OF state, is say
ing nothing.
Papers in the official contest are
expected to be fled in Washington
early next week, and it is possible
that before the time limit expires
Monday. at least one local contest
will I7e fled here