The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-10

the worst state political graft Scan- dals in recent times, are described by Judge Carr's special prosecutor, Kim Sigler, to be just the beginning of series of graft and bribery charges which will rock the entire state of Michigan a. may have profound effect on 1924 election re- suits. Involved are investigations in- to illegal influencing of legislation under consideration by three ses- sions of t state legislature, in 1939 1941 and 1943.
 SMALL LOAN IDEAL"
 In the one case now disclosed, a bribe conspiracy of "at least $20 0,OOO' is charged. Six finance company of- ficials of Detroit and South Bend, Ind, are named as having contrib uted the money for Slush fund to influence passage of a new small loan bill which would grant more favorable interest rates and terms to firms making these credit ad- vances to poorer people with little or no security. Of the 20 legislators accused of having accepted bribes, 13 are still in office, the other seven having been defeated for reelection. Eighteen of the officials are Demo- crats, two are Republicans. Major Hemans is now identified as the famous Charley who was the pay off man.
 Since early in the war, Major He- mans, formerly a Detroit and Lans- ing lawyer, has been on duty in the office of the provost marshal gen. eral in Washington. Some weeks ago he made request for overseas as- signment, but while this application was being considered, he returned to Michigan on leave and there gave information on the pay-off of state legislators. Records of his payments, by name and amount, were found buried on his farm between Jackson and Lansing.
 CASE WEIGHED IN
 WASHINGTON
 Returning to Washington, Major Hemans is suppised to have reported what he had done to his superiors in the provost marshal generals of- flee. While War Department auth critics were considering his case, presumably weighing his discharge or a demand that he resign his commission, Michigan officials came to Washington to insist that He mans, as their key witness, be kept in uniform at least until he had completed his testimony. If permit ted to resign or If discharged in Washington, Hemans would not have been returned to the custody of the Mihcigan grand jury investi- gation. Michigan authorities there fore wanted Major Hemans kept subject to Army orders. In the end he was placed under guard in Washington, then transferred to the reserve officers pool at Camp Gust CT, which is a provost marshal and military police training center.
 At Camp Custer Major Hemans was examined by Judge Carr, and it was from Camp Custer tn. he went to Lansing for his sensational ap- pearance before the grand jury.
 Hemans, who is 48, comes from Q prominent Michigan family. He served as a second lieutenant in the last war. Following graduation from the University of Michigan, he took his law degree at University of De- troit. For eight years he served as a regent of the University of Michi- gan. He was associated with some of the leading law firms in Detroit representing finance and banking interests. When he moved to Lans- ing, he became known as an associ- ate of legislators and state officials. His appearance before Judge Carr in Lansing was as Q witness under grand jury grant of immunity.