The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-08
launch PROBE
ON RUMORS Of
BALLOT FRAUD
Grand Jury to Act If Vote
Steal Is Established,
Stark Says.
PADDING IS CHARGED
Arrests of Three Election
Officials Made Basis of
Investigation.

If any evidence of irregularities
In primary vote tabulations is pro-
duced, showing vote stealing and
ballot altering, as charged in wide
spread rumors, it will be presented
to the grand jury for thorough in
vestigation, Prosecutor Judson l..
Stark said today.
Definite evidence contained in
signed statements Of persons having
knowledge Of election frauds will be
received and amassed for considera-
ton and submission to the grand
jury, Stark asserted.
Cognizant Of widespread rumorS
that poll officials have padded and
altered ballots in alleged manipula-
ton to bring certain candidates to
the foreground, and complaints Of
uncalled-for delay in return of vote
results, Stark issued a general call
for information pointing toward
fraud.
Ready to Clean Up
This Office is willing to give every
assistance in enforcing the law to
keep elections clean" he declared.
Investigation also was under way
by George l.. Denny, election COM
missioner, as a routine matter, 8"
Denny said.
Arrest Wednesday of three mem
bers Of the election board of the
Ninth precinct of the Fourth ward
and Republican candidate for pre-
cinct committeeman and unex-
planned delay in ballot tabulations
in many precincts is the basis for
the investigation, according to
Stark and Denny.
Charges that vote stealing" for
Republican and Democratic candi-
dates was being perpetrated in pre-
cincts where tabulating had been
delayed, we're made Wednesday at
election commissioners headquarters
at courthouse.
Receive Many Complaints
Reports were current that deputy
election commissioners were refused
admittance at several polls and that
they were greeted with threats of
violence if they attempted to enter
by force.
At Republican headquarters num-
erous complaints we're received
Wednesday afternoon that delay
was uncalled for in many polling
places, but hastily conducted probes
by investigators failed to disclose
reasons for delay.
At p. m. Wednesday more than
seventy-hve precincts had failed to
make returns to unofficial tabula-
tors at the party headquarters, and
explanations were forthcoming that
heavy balloting in larger wards led
poll officials to double check the
votes.
At midnight Wednesday, eighteen
hours after the polls closed. fifteen
precincts still failed to report, &C
cording to Albert Snider, deputy
election commissioner.
Seven Fail to Report
One precinct had made no re-
port at u today. 1t was the First
precinct of Decatur township. -Four
other precinct results were officially
returned before noon.
There is absolutely no reason why
returns should not have been made
on those seven precincts fourteen
hours before" Snider declared.
That many reports of corrupt tab
ulation were false was revealed late
Wednesday when Stark, Deputy
Prosecutor Paul Rhoadarmer and
reporters visited ten polling places in
the Eighth ward, where tabulating
We slow.
In two instances, tabulating of
votes was being made within view
of paSserSby, and other precincts al
ready had made official reports.
Alteration of twenty-five ballots
was charged to John L. Benz, 1925
North Illinois street, Republican
candidate handling ballots, by Ev-
erett Saxton. 1860 North Meridian
street, candidate for delegate to the
state convention.
Benz. and E w. Hoover. 344e
North Illinois street, inspector; two
judges, J. T. Andrews. 3471 North
Illinois street, and NJ. c. Lyons,
1918 North Illinois street, are at
liberty. each on a $1,000 bond posted
after they we're slated Wednesday
at city prison.