The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-13
YELLING LIKELY
TO FACE INQUIRY
BY Commission
County Expected to FroWn
on New Appropriation
for Official.
LEGALITY IN QUESTION
Relatives May Take Court
Action to Recover
Embalming Fees.
BY DICK MILLER
BY DICK MILLER

Although Coroner Fred w. Veh-
ling has served only a few DAYS
more than the first three months of
his two-year term, he has exhausted
his first annual appropriation of
$1,000 for autopsies on bodies. This
was revealed today by County Audi
tor Harry Dunn, as county officials
prepared to take steps to consider
additional appropriations for opera
ton of this phase Of the office.
However, from reliable sources, it
was learned that commissioners and
counc1lmen will froWn on the need
for additional funds. Vehling is ex-
pected to be brought before the
commissioners for questioning, to
ascertain under what legal rights,
If any, he performed many of the
autopsies.
Money Goes Fast
Dunn said ne has not investigated
some Of the claims filed by Yelling
for fees Of $25 for autopsies which
were conducted by physicians who
are deputy coroners.
Dunn stated he assumed Vehling,
who signed the vouchers authoriz-
ing payment of the fees to his
deputies, knew they were legitimate.
Vehling is under $1,000 bond and
Dunn said he would have no reason
to investigate as long as he has
means. Of recovering funds.
In January, Vehling expended
5000 Of the annual fund Of $1,000,
according to county records. A
similar amount was spent by the
coroner in February, and he now
has a 5000 claim filed for March.
Another claim for 500 fee for Dr
Henry AlbUrger, deputy coroner,
has not been paid, because the fund
is exhausted
Cost VIII Be High
If Vehling continues to expend
funds at the same rate for the re-
nlainder of the year he would spend
1900 by 1882, Dunn pointed out.
Additional complaints have been
received by The Times from per-
sons who charge Vehling, without
authorization, had bodies of rela-
tives embalned and levied a charge
for $25 in each case. Persons who
have paid the fee indicated today
that they would start court action
to recover the amounts.
Evidence uncovered in an inquiry
reveals that, in many instances,
Vehling's undertaking establish
ment, 702 Virginia avenue, have
been rushed many miles to obtain
bodies of persons killed and return
them to Vehling's establishment.
Denies Student Use
A relative of one man killed said
that when he arrived at Vehlings
establishment he found four men.
some of whom he was told were
students of embalming, at work.
Vehling has denied his place is
training school for persons learning
embalnling, although he said some
we're there.
Most supreme court rulings are
that state coroners must have
evidence that a person met death by
violent or unnatural causes before
holding an inquest.
Courts. also state that If coroner
holds an inquest when the law does
not authorize it, the county board
may disallow his claim for services.
"All persons DESTROYS of being
heard shall be examined as wit
nesses and the coroner may cause
witnesses to be summoned by sub
pena ISSUED by him and served by
a constable), who shall answer all
questions asked them, on oath,
touching such death" the law reads.
when a surgeon or physician is
required to attend such inquest and
make post-mortem examination, the
coroner shall certify such service to
the board of county commissioners,
who shall order the same paid out of
the county treasury"
Supreme Court Rules
Supreme court rulings on this
section state:
IF an inquest is held Illegally, the
county will not be liable for the
services rendered by a physician.
"Coroners can order autopsies to
be held only when deaths are sup
posed to be caused by violence or
casualty, and when an autopsy is
held without authority of law, pay
for the same can not be recovered
from the county"
Attorneys declare that when the
coroner is called to view a dead per-
son, he must gain proof that death
came from violence or unnatural
causes before he has any right to
assume control over the body, and
then only for the purpose OF inquest
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