The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-15
PROBE BARES
EXTORTION BY
CONSTABLES
Law Violations by Ring of
Special Officers Are
Shown in County.
FAMILIES ARE EVICTED
Prosecutor Sits Charges
That Grafters Prey on
JoblesS.
FAMILIES ARE EvICTED
BY SHELDON KEY

BY SHELDON KEY
Badge dedecked constables, abus-
ing their questionable authority,
have become depression profiteers'
throughout Marion county, investl-
CATION by The Times discloses.
Wanton misuse of constaoulary
powers, by which alleged special
constables" Of Warren township are
collecting rents and menaclng
debtors, most Of them without en-
ployment, is revealed upon investl-
CATION Of their many complaints.
How certain men posing as duly
appointed public officials are Solicit
ing the business Of rental agencies
and serving fake real estate sum-
mons so as practically to disrupt tne
Justice courts of the county IS cyl
dent in the probe conducted by The
Times.
Laid Before Prosecutor
Facts in numbers of cases where
attractions of constabulary powers
are apparent have been laid before
Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson, who
is studying them to determine any
possible criminal law violations.
The inquiry has disclosed that at
least four of the special constables
are working out of the court OF T..
S. Crutcher, Warren township JUS
tice Of peace, SAB East Washington
street.
These men. all members Of the
National Detective Association, sue
cessor to the Horsethief Detective
Association, were appointed by
Crutcher in violation of statutes
providing for such appointments, it
is said.
The statutes provide for appoint
ments only in cases OF absence OF
the regularly elected constable or
cases Of emergency" while in many
instances in Warren township these
cases did not even exist. Blank
summons for possession Of property,
signed by Crutcher and later to be
filled in by the Special officers at
their own convenience, have been
found. Forgeries of the signature
of a justice of peace are apparent
on others, it is alleged.
Hundreds Are Mulcted
Hundreds of persons have been
summoned in an alleged kangaroo
court" conducted at 1876 North Della
ware street, by Special Constable"
c. w. Freeman, and have been
forced to pay exorbitant fines and
court costs, it is known.
Other cases in which persons have
been brought into similar Illegal
courts in various parts of the city
have been unearthed. No records
exist on many Of these cases in
Crutcher's court, a survey has
shown. Judgments stating amounts
of costs collected are lacking.
One case in which Special Con-
stable George B. Davis, 4421 College
avenue, is alleged to have evicted a
woman, i'll with pneumonia, for
nonpayment of rent not even is
listed on court records, the survey
disclosed.
Other "constables" said to have
been promoting the badge and gun
psychology for their own benefit
since the November election are
Frank BroZ and N. j. Alley. Alley
maintains offices at 108 North Della
ware street.
Both Davis and Freeman and
several of the others, it is said, we're
y connected with the justice court of
Oliver P. Bebinger, Washington
township justice under the former
Republican administration.
Heavy Fees Extorted
Figures as to amounts of fees
wrcngfully extorted from the pub
lie practically are unobtainable.
However, it is alleged that some Of
the special officers are making
exorbitant salaries through the
system by which property owners
are robbed and fees are split" with
real estate agents and storage COM
panies.
In cases where the victims became
wise to the methods used, the con-
stables have offered famed excuses
and dropped the cases. investiga-
tons indicate.
Among further Illegal practices
are those connected with collections
on garnishee judgments and those
for repossession of personal prop
srty.
It IS known that many persons
have had automobiles taken from
them without any writ Of replevin
ever being served by the court. In
other instances, families have been
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