The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-02

By United Press
NEW YORK, Jan. 2.-Charges of
political corruption leveled at Tam
many Hall by Representative F. II.
La Guardia in his unsuccessful
campaign for mayor against James
J. Walker had been forgotten by
most Of New York's voters on Dec. z,
1929, when about 100 guests assem-
bled for a banquet at the Roman
Gardens, in the Bronx.
Magistrate Albert H. Vitale, jovial
and big in stature, was the honor
guest at the gathering of politicians,
a few business men interested in
politics, a few policemen politically
inclined and number of gunner,
racketeers and thugs involved in
politics. Some of the guests had
police records and photographs in
the Rogues' gallery.
In the midst of the dinner seven
unlimited guests entered, held up
the diners at the points of pistols
and walked away with everything
from diamond rings to policemen's
revolvers.
Five Judges Ousted
They we're never caught. But
they opened the way to an investi-
cation of New York courts which
has resulted in the ousting, or
resignation, of five judges and in
volved the police vice-squad in
charges of framing" girls. who are
forced to pay high fees to lawyers
for their release on bond.
La Guardia had charged that
WHALE had borrowed $4,000 from
Arnold Rothstein. whose murder in
New York hotel was never solved.
Grover Whalen, who had been
made police commissioner, also at
tackled the record of Vitale and the
Judge finally was removed from Of
flee, charged with accepting loan
from Rothstein and with releasing
a burglar friend of Rothstein.
$4,000 to Tammany
Then federal Investigators found
that Magistrate George F. Ewald
was connected with a practically
worthless stock concern and it was
charged that persons who bought
shares in the concern were treated
leniently in Ewald's court.
1t also was revealed Mrs. Ewald
had given $4,000 to Martin j.
Healy, Tammany leader, the money
allegedly passing through the hands
of another Tammany man. Thomas
I. Tommaney. They testified that
the money was a loan. Ewald was
indicted and is awaiting trial.
In July, County Judge w. Ber-
nard VauSe was convicted and SEN
fenced to six months in prison on
charges of using the mails to de-
fraud. During the investigation
Vause said he received $25O,0O0 for
obtaining pier leases from the
Tammany administration.
Judge disappears
John F. Curry, Tammany Hall
leader, and Charles L. Kohler, a
Tammany district leader, said they
were 'insulted" when asked to sign
immunity waivers before teStifying
before the grand jury.
Upon the prompting of Governor
Roosevelt, Mayor Walker ordered
all Tammany leaders holding Of
flee under him to testify but they
could not dictate to Curry.
The most mysterious case in
volving the courts, however, was
the disappearance of Justice Jo-
scph Force Crater, who had been
appointed to the supreme court
bench last April.
A wide search in the United
States, Cuba and elsewhere failed
to reveal trace of the judge, who
disappeared Aug. 6, the day Mayor
Walker suspended Healy for his
connection with the Ewald case.
Crater was president of Healy's dis
trict organization, the Cayuga Club,
and an investigation was made of
charges that he had paid for his
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