The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-14
UNDERWORLD
CHIEFS WAGE
FIGHT ON DALE
Several ACcuSerS of Mayor
Have Criminal Records
in MunCie.
REVENGE MOVE IS SEEN
Gamblers and BootIeggerS
Driven From Business
Among Witnesses.
BY STANLEY TULLSEN
Managing Editor, The Times


the citizens of Muncie are taking
the attitude that the trial of George
Dale, the mayor, will determine his
guilt or innocence, comment turns
its attention to the list of wit
nesses who are listed as the &C
cusers of Dale.
His friends point to the fact that
these include men and women of
criminal records, who are also po-
litical enemies of Dale. They be-
lieve that any opinion upon the
guilt of Dale should be withheld
until the trial and that the records
of his accusers furnish an addi-
tlonal reason for such an attitude
OF tolerance, at least.
Dale'S accuSerS include:
Herschel RoSe-Chief stool pigeon
for federal agents; under suspended
sentence of six months in Jail for
contributing to delinquency of a
minor; posed as a police officer in
a liquor case thrown out of federal
court because Rose used women as
decoys and admitted that he was
drunk while gathering evidence.
Gertrude Smith - Operator of
houses OF ill-fame in Muncie for
years.
Wreck" Victim Is Accused
H. Vernon (Plug) Walburn-
Gambler and bootlegger, whose most
recent place of business on South
Walnut street was wrecked by police
with fire axes, after Walburn had
beaten the rap" in city court.
Russell Ely-Bootlegger, given fif-
teen months in federal prison
through Dale's efforts.
Fred Bohlinger-Policeman. dis
charged from Muncie force.
Corbett Johnson-Bootlegger who
is alleged to have paid protection
to Dale. Actually, he left Muncie
almost as soon as Dale assumed Of
fee, transferring his activities to
Blackford county, where Ira Bar
ton, now in state prison at Michigan
City, was sheriff. He returned tol
Inflow Springs, near Muncie. and
was raided and put out of business
by Dale after Sheriff Fred Pickett
is reported to have ignored repeated
violations of the law.
Federal Agent Arrested
Joseph Denny-Federal agent. in
yestigating the Muncie situation. ar
rested in bawdy house with BohI-
niger. Companions were Lucille JUS
tice and Anna Morning, notorious in
Muncie underworld.
Lucille Justice-ArreSted as prosti-
tute.
Clifton Craner-Operator Of coal
business, political enemy of Dale,
member of Muncie board of works
during the Hampton administration.
1926-1930. Posted bond for Corbett
Johnson, bootlegger, who is consid-
cred plant" in the case against
Dale.
Cranor'S especial animus against
Dale dates back about four years.
newspaper files show, when Dale
spoiled a truck deal which would
have turned neat profit for Cranor
with no harm to any one-except
the taxpayers pocketbooks.
Cranor owned truck which had
been used in his coal business-with
the rear axle broken, no tires. and
the motor ruined after freezing.
"Sold" to EmpIoye
Check of title transfers and
other features of the deal showed
that Cranor had sold" the truck
to an illiterate employee named Will
liamS, who made his mark to COM
pete the deal; that Williams then
sold the truck to the board of
works, of which Cranor was a
member, for $4,000. incidentally, |
a new Wabash service truck of the |
same kind could have been pur-
chased for about $4,000.
In addition to the $4,000 purchase
price, about $500 was spent on re-
pairs to make the truck serviceabIe. |
Included in this was an item of $500 |
for motor Investigation disclosed
that secondhand motor had been
bought in indianapolis, at cost
of $25.
The deal aroused a storm which |
resulted in a council probe" The |
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