The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-18
BY CHARLES E. CARLL

BY CHARLES T.. CARLL
Accommodation of property own
ers so they will not have much
trouble" in having a tenant evicted
for nonpayment of fent, is assured
prospective clients of Charles w.
Freeman, 1876 North Delaware street,
bill collector and constable"
Last week two men went to the
office of the purported constable
and inquired as to the manner in
which a tenant might be removed.
Freeman was not in the Office
and woman in the Office answered
the questions propounded by the
men who followed the signs ad-
vertising Freeman as a constable"
Activities of "constables,' who
claim they are appointed in each
eviction action, VIII be probed by
the county grand jury soon. County
prosecuting officials already have
been handed facts that form the
foundation for the investigation.
Can Be Filled" There
At Freeman's Office it is stated
that the complaints can be MADE
out and filed" there. The woman
says Freeman works OUT of the
justice of the peace court of T. S.
Crutcher, in Warren township.
Crutchers office is at 54481a East
Washington street.
1t is explained that after service
of the summons the owner of the
house must wait five days, under
the law, before the tenant can be
forced to surrender the property.
Details can be handled here"
the prospective client is assured
when he states he has not time to
appear several times at Crutcher'S
Office for hearings and other legal
proceedings.
Il am clerk Of the court" the
woman stated. Whenever you are
ready the complaint can be handled.
mo Need to Worry"
There is no need to worry about
court appearances. Majority of
them do not come up in court"
Complaints have been filed with
business organizations that kan
CARGO" courts are being held in the
county by "constables" who serve
papers on tenants who have failed !
to meet rent and bill payments.
Crutcher, at first denied the !
woman, who, he said, was Mrs. |
Freeman, was "clerk of the court"
He said his wife is clerk of his court |
and that he also has regularly |
elected constable in the township. |
mo, no, I told them" he |
started. mo, there's just some |
wrong slant on the wording"
Later, however, he indicated that |
Mrs. Freeman, perhaps, was en-
powered to receive complaints and /
handle some business"
Might Have Written 1t
"a complaint can be filed any !
place." he said. Il think I did tell |
Mrs. Freeman she could handle
that, or 1 might have put it in
writing"
Crutcher has admitted distribut-
ing to Freeman at one time thirty |
and forty" blank summons forms |
signed by him and bearing the court |
seal. Ordinarily, under the law,
these would be issued after filing of |
the complaint with the justice.
Crutcher is unable to explain why
Freeman possesses these papers
when he claims Freeman and other
"constables" come to his office to
receive their appointments as Spe-
Cial conStables and hiring business
to the court
The justice has stated he gave
out the blank forms as a convent
ence."
Branded as Illegal
Attorneys, including j. Carl VAN
diver, former deputy prosecutor,
who have studied the law believe
exists in the issuance of
blanks and the method of appoint
ing the conStableS.
The law on appointment Of "spe-
cial constables" by a justice, reads:
Whenever there shall be no con-
stable convenient, and in the
opinion of the justice an emergency
exists for the immediate services
of one, such justice may appoint a
special constable to act in a par
ticular cause; and shall note such |
appointment in such cause on the |
docket; and shall direct process to
him by his name; and such con-
stable, so constituted, shall dis
the duties, receive the fees
and have the power, in such cause,
appertaining to the office"
That Will Be All Right
An indianapolis man who called |
the Justices Office recently asked
Crutcher if he had a downtown
office"
mo" was the reply. You can
give me the information over the
phone"
The caller insisted he had heard
Crutcher had a downtown court"
and then Crutcher told him he
might take the business to Free
,,,a,, IN na1ourora rtrnet that will