The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-04-29
DOUBLE CROSS
charge flung
At COFFIN AID
Commissioner Threatens to
spill Beans on County
Corruption
CALLS MIDDLETON THIEF
Snider Fairly BegS Ninth
Ward G. 0. P. Chief to
Put Up His Fists

Courthouse today was the scene
Of a political battle which featured
waving fists, bitter denunciation and
threats to tell all" about county
political corruption.
Combatants were George Snider,
county commissioner and longtime
county office holder and Albert
Middleton. Coffin Ninth ward chair
man and courthouse custodian
Out OF the battle grew verbal con-
formations by Snider that county
government under Coffin rule is
tainted with fraud, deceit and mall
administration. and sounded a heat
ed promise to make the voters so
disguised they'll never cast a Cot
fin vote again
Snider To Tell
It brought a promise from Snider
to reveal enough political corrup-
ton that people VIII surrender in
dismay"
It all began when Snider went
in conference this morning with
Middleton.
out of the cGSsSassioners office
almost Immediately came Sniders
shouts.
Spectators took choice seats to
hear Middleton branded double
crOSser," crook" and thief"
Later disclosures revealed that
Middleton. in pulling election
strings, OVERRIDE the choice of anti
Coffin politicians, by naming his
own election board to the Fifteenth
precinct of the Ninth ward.
Snider charged this was contrary
to Middleton's agreement to name
a slate of Snider's choice.
, Waves His Fists
Red faced and trembling, Snider
hurled this accu~ ton at Middleton.
He brandished fists viciouSly in
N1iddleton's face, begging Middleton
to show fight"
Pale and ruffled, Middleton stood
his ground. offering whispered ex-
PLANTATION. but meeting only with
Snider'S threats ito bust his nose
through his face"
IN do ii" Snider shouted hoarse-
~ again and again, land so help
me heaven, I'll pay the fine, $40 or
a $1,000
Snider accused Middleton OF US
ing underhand methods in naming
election boards ito suit the Coffin
taste" He charged that such de
ceit is occurring over and over" and
that st is pulling the wool over the
peoples eyes"
The verbal battle waged for al
most half an hour with Snider re-
peatedly begging Middleton to fight,
but I'll latter. considerably smaller
in stsVTe. declined.
You've been the crookedest ward
chairman I ever saw in my life
Snider charged, and you're just like
the rest OF your gang" Snider has
held county offices the last twenty
years
Expect You're Right
q expect you're right Middleton
responded. rising finally from his
chair. III see what I can do about
It," he added.
He elbowed his way from the OF
fetal chambers whiStling.
Snider'S final retort was, I'm 60
ing to expose enough to Indian
apolis papers TO blow the whole
works out of water"
Investigation disclosed that the
election board of Snider's choice was
filed officially with election commits
sionerS naming the following per-
sons as poll officials: Samuel Ben
nett. % Brookville road, inspector,
with Henry Pfeister and Robert
Powell, named judge and sheriff,
respectively.
Records produced by election COM
missioner show that late Monday
night by orders of Martin Hugg,
county G. o. p. chairman. the names
were substituted by Earl w. King
ham. 423 North Healing avenue,
named inspector in Benefits stead.
Snider charged that bingham is
a well known Coffin puppet,' and
that his selection was made through
~Cohin greed.
Notable among lookerS-on at the
fray was Charles Riddle. Coffin
politician. who recently encountered
a hlling-station bandit without
knowing it.
IN give anybody $40 if they'll
get Snider to say the same thing
TO me" he said rubbing his fist.
CAROLS MAY GO HOME