The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-12
LEGION VOTE TO
BE SPLIT WIDE
| OPEN, is CLAIM
Sheriff Candidates Will
Break Up Factions,
Observers Say.
BY DICK MILLER
Times stan Writer


Back room politics. it would APP
pear from examination of the field
in the Democratic race for sheriff,
have played more Of a part than
usual in attempting to split vote
support that each candidate ordi-
narily might expect.
There has been a great deal said
by Democratic city and county lead
eTs about not having states for the
Urinary May 8. H. Nathan Swain,
county chairman, and other leaders
have indicated they will maintain
'shands off" policy. In some races,
fncumbents are unopposed.
Back room" opposition to this
hands of policy is evidenced most
clearly, observers say, in the sheriff
race where seven candidates seek
the nomination.
Two strongest candidates in a
race where the vote will be swayed
by such factors as religion, the le-
gion vote and the labor vote, appear
to be Otto Ray, city license inspec-
tor, and Bill Brown, state excise de-
Pu4 biiiCilb lllSpcCbOI.
Resigns Police Captaincy
Ray, sheriff nominee in 1924, re-
signed his police captaincy last Sat-
urday to enter the race. He has a
strong personal following and af-
filiations that might be counted on
to do him a lot Of good at the polls.
He once was president of the Cen
trail Labor Union, was honored by
the American Red Cross for local
relief work and is expected to re-
ceive strong Catholic and legion
support. He recently resigned as
commander Of the Twelfth district
legion and is a former commander
Of indianapolis police post.
An installment payment plan to
enable peddlers and other city IL
cense users to obtain their tags
without hardship, is another accom-
plishment boosted by the Ray sup
pOrters.
Back room" politics has forced
strong opposition to Ray into the
field, his workers claim. They charge
that several additional candidates
were persuaded that they might
receive organization support, or
were interested mainly in defeat
ing Ray.
Legion Vote to Be Split
They point out that James De-
saney and Claude E. Shower, rail-
road yardmaster, may be expected
to cut into Rays Catholic and labor
votes Gar Davis, an inspector in
the city building department, should
be instrumental in splitting up the
legion vote for sheriff, they say
Two other candidates, Patrick Nc
Cleary and John w. Taggart al
though they are not we'll known, are
to control some votes that other
wise would be pOlled for Ray.
Mr.. Brown, however. has almost
no interference with his votes. A
ward chairman, he is supposed to
have the whispered support of the
party organization. Brown is a close
friend of William E. Clauer, city
chairman, and is in a position TO
make important contacts while eX-
ecuting his duties of beer license
inspector. AS an employe of the
state excise department, he may
receive StatehouSe backing.
The Center township assessor race
will be marked with bitter struggle
between two Democratic candidates,
James F. Cunningham, city park
board investigator. and John c. Nc
Closkey, incumbent.
McClOskey in Disfavor
McCloSkey has received the stamp
of party disapproval by ignoring the
organization in the awarding of sew
eral hundred deputy assessor ap-
pointments. He further incurred the
disfavor of the party by maintain
ing a close friendship with Sheriff
Charles (BucN Sumner, himself a
notorious inSurgent. Sumner may
stump for McCloskey and cinch
votes in strong Sumner districts.
Ernest Marker and John Mann,
county commissioners, have lost
favor with the party by unfavorable
publicity in their attempt to award
an election supply contract to a
high bidder.
Mann was appointed to fill the
vacany caused by the death OF
Thomas Ellis. The deciding votes
were cast by Marker and Charles
GroSSart, county auditor, While the
organization and Commissioner Dow
VorhieS favored the widow, Mrs.
Thomas Ellis.
The Republican party, although
crushingly defeated in the last cleo
tons. is expected to have a strong,
undivided slate prepared by George
V. (Cap) Coffin and supported by
ward and precinct leaders. Can
didateS marked by Coffin will have
the inside track as has been the case
for the last several years of his
control.