The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-21


Hoover.
Dale. surrounded by his friends.
appeared shocked and surprised,
but quickly recovered his equanimity
and treasured his sympathizing
friends and relatives.
Don't worry" he told reporters.
i've just begun to fight III carry
this to the United States circuit
court Of appeals. on behalf Of all
defendants"
That's what you get for trying 20
clean up Muncie, one Of his friends
remarked Indignantly, but Dale only
smiled.
Later. Dale issued a statement. IN
which he charged government wit
nesses presented perjured testimony,
and repeated his charges that he
is the victim Of a "frame-up" en-
gineered by political enemies and
the lawless element OF Muncie,
which he sought TO smash.
The jury must have believed i
was all right for the Muncie coun-
Gil, through It's agent. Bob Parkin-
son. to hire an ex-convict to get lis
evidence" Dale said.
1T must have believed it proper
for the council TO hire Ed Quirk
for the purpose of getting some
thing on the mayor, as he indicated
by his testimony.
Conversation Was Barred
The jury must have believed the
testimony OF johnson, admitted per-
jurer, and failed TO believe testi-
mony Of Warren p. Allender. fed
eral dry agent"
The mayor added that If Allen
der had been permitted TO relate a
conversation in which he told me. a
year ago, that Muncie was the
cleanest city in Indiana, and that II
other cities in the state we're as
clean, there would be no need for
an enforcement division at Indian
apolis, the verdict might have been
different"
The Indictment returned by a
federal grand jury May 4. charged
defendants had conspired to permit
certain bootleggers and gamblers to
operate in Muncie, with police pro-
lection.
It was charged that. after federal
operatives began investigation in
Muncie. police sought to hamper the
probe and intmidate investigators
and witnesses by attempting to ar
rest" Joseph H. Denny, special pro-
hibition investigator, and others.
Cleanup of City Shown
Government witnesses testified
Dale and Massey conspired to have
Hoover transport liquor to Indian
apolis for the Democratic state con-
vention, and also that they con-
spired to provide liquor for the
Muncie police ball.
The defense brought on numerous
witnesses to controvert these
charges.
Defense witnesses supported Dale
in his charges that a few weeks
after he took office bootleggers, who
had prospered before, closed their
establishments and moved from
Muncie
Dale vehemently denied he and
Massey had issued campaign prom
ises that certain bootleggers and
gamblers would be permitted to
operate, with protection.
Before the trial, Dale made two
visits to Washington. where he pro-
tested to department of justice Of
ficials against the alleged frameup,
and demanded an investigation Of
circumstances surrounding his in
dictment which was not forthcom-
ing.
Frameup, Says Mayor
He charged that he was victim
of political frameup. sponsored
by bootleggers. gamblers. and vice
chiettains whom ne had put out of
business when he assumed Office
Jan. 8, 1890.
He added that his arrest was in
tended to disrupt his administra-
ton"
Dale. active despite his 65 years
and effects of a recent illness,
which nearly resulted fatally. was
defiant when he took the witness
stand during his trial. shouting de-
malls OF the government charges.
He has had a colorful career, first
gaining prominence as editor OF the
Muncie Post Democrat, weekly
newspaper, which he still publishes,
when he fought bitterly against the
Ku-Klux Khan.
His anti-klan campaign brought
two contempt citations from former
Judge Clarence w. Dearth of Della
ware circuit court. Fined $1,000 and
sentenced to six months on the state
farm. Dale's appeal was denied by
the state supreme court. but he was
pardoned by Ex-Governor Ed Jack
son after serving two days.
Judge Was Impeached
Eventually. Dearth was impeached
by the house of representatives. aft
er he had arrested Dale's newSboys
and sought TO suppress the paper.
but the judge was acquitted later
by the senate.
After his election in 1929 as
mayor, Dale continued to wage bit
ter warfare against the Republican
organization in Delaware county.
and, on the day he took Office, fired
the entire police force and most
other employees holding over from
the Hampton Republican admins
tration.
He also cancelled a large number
Of street paving contracts. awarded
as one Of the final acts Of the re-
firing administration.
No MunCie Custer Move
o..