Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 78, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 August 1924 — Page 5

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MONEYED BOSS TRIES TO CORRUPT WISCON SIN COURT — By ROBERT M. LA FOLLETTE

“MY OWN STORY” Is an exclusive newspaper version of one of the gTeat autobiographies °* modern times: La Follette s story of adventures in politics as written by himself in 1912. together with an authorized narrative of his experiences in the years since then. SYNOPSIS OF PRF.YIOrS INSTALLMENTS La Follette enters political life. Immediately comes into conflict with Wisconsin political boss ism; nevertheless is elected to Congress, and from the beginning opposes the onslaught of private interests in government affairs. In the fall oj 1890. when a candidate for a fourth term in Congress. La Follette is defeated as the State goes heavily Democratic. He returns to private law practice at Madison. La Follette comes to feel that Payne, one of the Wisconsin Republican leaders, is not disappointed with his defeat. Not so. however, with Senator Sawyer, another leader, who is a loyal party man and believes In supporting party candidates regardless of personal feeling. One of the political grafts of Wisconsin, ancient and time honored, was the farming out of the public funds to favored banks. Excepting the office of Governor, the State treasurership was more sought after than any other place on the ticket. The reason for this lay in the fact that the State treasurer was able to deposit public moneys in such banks as he chose, upon terms satisfactory to the bankers and profitable to himself. Interest upon this money was regarded as a political perquisite. One of the first acts of the Democratic State administration which came Jan. 5, 1891, was to institute suit against all State treasurers of Wisconsin who had occupied that office during the preceding twenty years. Former Treasurers Sued Suits were instituted against former Treasurers Henry B. Harshaw, Edward C. McFettridge, Richard Guenther, Ferdinand Kuehn, Henry Betz and their bondsmen. Senator Sawyer's wishes had largely controlled in the election of several of these treasurers and he was one of the principal bondsmen. The suits finally resulted In Judgments in favor of the State aggregating $608,913. Os this amount Senator Sawyer was liable for nearly $300,000. The estate of Guido Pflster, a leading business man of Milwaukee, was also liable as bondsman for former Treasurer Kuehn to the extent of something more than SIOO,OOO. The liability of this estate marks the advent into Wisconsin State poitics of Charles F. Pflster of Milwaukee .one of the principal heirs of the Guido Pflster estate, who will figure hereafter in this narrative. Robert G. Siebecker, now one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, was at that time judge of the Circuit Court for Dane County. He had been appointed to that office by Governor Hoard to fill a vacancy, and a telegram from Governor Hoard’s secretary announcing Siebecker’s selection was my first intimation that he had been considered. I was indeed surprised, because Siebecker was a Democrat and was appointed by Governor Hoard to succeed Judge Stuart, who was a Republican. I mention this point in this connection because in so far as the appointment was criticized at all, it was upon the ground that Siebecker was a Democrat. This fact, and the further fact that he was my brother-in-law and my partner in the firm of La Follette, Sie-

becker & Harper, was also the subject of newspaper comment at the time, and his appointment was ascribed to my known friendly relations with Governor Hoard. Shortly before these cases were to come on for argument In the Circuit Court, I received a letter from Senator Sawyer, of which the following Is an exact copy: •Dictated. "Oshkosh, Wls., Sept. 14. 1891. "Hon. Robert M. La Follette, Madison, Wls. Rear La FoUette: "i will be In Milwaukee, at the State fair, on Thursday. 1 have Borne matters ts Importance that I Would like to consult you about. "It convenient can you be In Milwaukee on that day and meet me at the PJanklnton House at 11 o'clock a. m.? "If not on that day. what day would suit your convenience this week? Please answer by telegraph. All you need to say, if you can meet me that day Is merely telegraph me ‘yes.’ If not simply mention day you can meet me. "Yours truly, - •'Philetus Sawyer." The letter was typewritten on a single sheet of paper, letter size. The top part of the sheet had been torn off, down nearly to the date line, leaving only the printed words, "Dictated. Oshkosh.” This fact did not Impress me at the time I received the letter but led me to Investigate tho matter later and to discover that It was written on the office stationery of ex-Treasurer Harshaw, who afterward came to me with a message from Sawyer. I conferred wi£h my law partner, Sam Harper, after receiving the letter, and believing that the proposed interview concerned political matters, decided to meet Sawyer. I remember the brief nature of the letter impressed me as a precaution taken to forestall newspaper interviewers. And I filed a telegram in response, limited to the word “yes” as directed. Sept. 17 I went to Milwaukee and met Sawyer at the Planklnton oHuse. The State fair was In progress at that time and the hotel crowded. Sawyer said tha.t he had been unable to secure* a room and requested me to go with him to the hotel parlors on the second floor. The parlors were large, and he led me away to a portion of the room from the entrance—where we sat down. After some preliminary conversation in which he said, “I wanted to talk with you about Slebecker and the treasury matter,” he finally icame directly to the point and said: "These cases are awfully important to us, and we cannot afford to lose them. They cost me a lot of anxiety. I don’t want to have to pay —naming a large sum of

money—whether SIOO,OOO or more, I am not certain. "Now I came down here to see you alone. No one knows I am to meet you here. I don’t want to hire you as an attorney in the cases. La Follette, and don't want you to go into court. But here is SSO, I will give you SSOO more or SI,OO0 —or SSOO more and SI,OOO (I was never able to recall exactly the sums named) when Siebecker decides the case right.” I said to him, "Senator Sawyer, you can’t know what you are saying to me. If you struck me in the face you could not insult me as you insult me now.” He said, "Wait—hold on!" I was then standing up. I said: "No. you don't want to employ me as an attorney. You want to hire me to talk to the judge about your case off the bench.” He said. "I did not think you

Last Chance ■' ~ W 1

To buy quality Summer Footwear at greatly reduced prices. 420 Pairs Women's Patent Kid, I (l Suede, Colored and Satin Hlsh I -• rtH qq Men's Shoes and Oxfords mBjB \iMGlfliwijfi Saturday Slippers and . Oxfords for the ** "L 1 , 11 B “y Tan Children Jffl iSTIIC P,a J Oxfords .n J Li "HiStore Open Saturday Until 10 P. M. *Th Store With the Blue FrontSHOE STORE 316 W. Washington Street

CASH CASH credit j. W-A-N-T-E-D I cß ™ r 1,000 NEW ACCOUNTS! During the Entire Month of August SI.OO Down Will Deliver Any Article in Our Store Up to $50.00 Uiberal Weekly Terms Capitol Furniture Cos. 1 L £; Costs Less 211 East Washington St. Acquainted

would take a retainer in the case. 1 did not think you would want to go Into the case as an attorney. How much will you take as a retainer?” I answered, "You haven't enough money to employ me as an attorney in your case after what you have said to me.” "Well, perhaps I don't understand court rules. Anway, let me pay you for coming down here.” I said, "Not a dollar sir,” and immediately left the room. Nothing else ever came Into my life that exerted such a powerful Influence upon me as that affair. It was the turning point, in a way. But It shocked me into a complete realization of the extremes to which this power that Sawyer represented would go to secure the results it was after. (Copyright, 1924, NEA Service, Inc.] (Continued In Our Next Issue)

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Increase on Duty Holland plans to increase the import duty on automobiles, parts and

THE SEASON’S BIGGEST EVENT IN FULL SWING RUBENS Big Clean-Up Sale

Greatest Money Saving Chance in Years • A real sale with a real reason, offering a most unusual chance to supply your present and future clothing needs at radically reduced prices. We are not going to carry over a garment, liepce these merciless price reductions. BE HERE SATURDAY ,WITHOUT FAIL Hundreds of these suits are appropriate for year round wear, and these sale prices represent savings of from A THIRD to fl HALF See Our Windows for a Few of % the Many Big Values . HUNDREDS OF ALL- c . *-f C| or WOOL SUITS, Young 2 a ! e * I / *OO Men’s Models 7 Pr,ce 1 Lt = HUNDREDS OF ALL- c , * 1 A tc WOOL SUITS. Snlendid ~ a .' e I /I •<> Quality Pnce I‘T= HUNDREDS OF ALL— c . cll A oc WOOL SUITS, Stylish p . I Models rrtce At/ HUNDREDS OF ALL- c cn WOOL SUITS, Beautiful- X. * / V‘ )U ly Tailored...! Prirc LtO = HUNDREDS OF ALL- c , QC WOOL SUITS, Strictly p . *X / Hand Tailored Tl< j* § Extra Trousers With Many of the Suits—at Small Additional Cost

2-Piece Summer Suits Specially Priced Palm Beach Mohair Gaberdine Coats & Pants Coats & Pants Coats & Pants $7.95 $11.35 $14.75 Up Up Up All Boys’ and Children’s Suits Reduced Odd Trousers at Big Reductions Choice of Over 500 d* QC Other Sale Pairs, Values, $5, $6, V Prices, $2.95 $7, SB. Sale Price to $5.75 We're Open Till 9 o’Clock Every Saturday Night RUBENS For 38 Years a Dependable and Trustworthy Store

motorcycles. The new tariff bill is now under consideration by the Netherlands parliament.

fouiNPiANA| I* WashtagtenV. Xfll/p Iflonij ter of the East End. The l&li W MjSfc, Ml) M&T flg WF BBS W a busy store near the market ~ W M I SUMMER CLEAN-UP SALE I NOW IN PROGRESS WITH BARGAINS ALL OVER THE STORE I

In this space we can mention only a few of the many special offerings. Plenty of snmmer weather ahead, but It’s rieon-up time for ns as we must make room for in-coming fall stocks. Our bargain displays will amaze you—erery. where you look is a “red” sale card pointing out a saving for you. Thousands of people have eome to know this store as the daily “Economy Spot of Indianapolis." Open Saturday Till 9 P.’M.

LADIES’ $4 SKIRTS Tan, gray or navy wool crepe pleated style Aiso included are $5 and $6 Sport satin skirts. About fifty £ PT skirts only in the *p ® B .OO lot to clean up at ~ M , this reduced price. " Front, Main Aisle.

Ladies' $1.69 Gingham DRESSES Hundreds already sold—just got in—some more to supply the demand. Sure are won- . _ derrul for a dollar. Several nice gtt A A styles made of washable gingham in •UU neat cheeks of various colorg. Sizes fl 36 to 50. There'U be another rush Bfor these. Come get yours early ■

Girls’ $2.00 DRESSES Plain white lawn; also some of dotted voile In var- . _ lous colors. Some gfl A A may be slightly AT| •UU mussed, but they fl ■■ are big bargains at fl 1 ' I. Ages 8 to 14. ■ Main Aisle.

UP to sls VALUE DRESSES It Is difficult to describe such pretty silk dresses of canton crepe Trtcoshams, Foulards, etc. About 100 in the lot now redueed to M- About every size in the as- Clf sortment. Will be arranged on racks for easy choosing. They will sell out rapidly. fl fl Don’t deliy

TRAVELING BAGS Large siie black leatherette grips with brass lock and clasps. Ideal for & gfi A A your vacation trav J) Tj *UU el. We will have” fl ... just fifty of these fl on sale at (I WT

BIG LOT OF MUSLIN WEAR Ladles’-Gowns. Chemise, Bloomers and Step-Ins. Some white—-some pink. Mj MB These will be on front bargain table. MjA A About 500 p:e.-es while they last. Also |% many other specials now offered In all kinds of muslinwear U

Ladies’ SI.OO GOWNS Soft white muslin gowns—also some of soft pink batiste. Special purchase of , various styles. Big ■■ display on a Main m Qfl Aisle bargain table. M MUfl A Also other grades fl on sale M

BOYS’ $8.50 TWO-PANTS SUITS Medium-weight materials suitable for late summer and early fall wear. Ideal suits for the early months of school. All sizes. V V Now i the time to outfit the boy at p Bag* •U\J a saving. Bring him in Saturday ■— ——• and make him happy. Other grades at special prices

15c Apron GINGHAM Staple blue and white checks. Fast color. Limit 5 yards _ to a customer at Jg lOr yard In our big g Yard Goods I>e- fl fl fl A part men t. pear of fl fl J| store B W

SECONDS OF GIRLS’ 25c HOSE Seconds, but scarcely noticeable. Regular 25c brand brown or black fine ribbed '• hose. We advise mothers to . lay in a supply for school 9 / wear now as this Is a real ■ M I special bargain. All sixes, 6 ■ V to U. Hosiery Department ■ SB / £4

LADIES' $1 PURSES Now at. ; . 79c BIgToT 10c TOILET SOAP 5c SI.OO GRADE PINK CORSETS, .79c Ladies’ Fancy SUN HATS 49c CHILD’S FANCY PARASOLS. . 49c Heavy PAPER SHOPPING BAGS, .3c A PAPER of 200 PINS for lc YARD-WIDE PERCALES, Yard. .19c UP to $1.50 GIRLS’ HATS 49c MEN’S 25c PARIS GARTERS 16c Men’s Colored Handkerchiefs 3c Men’s $2.50 Khaki Coveralls. . .$1.98

SAVE MONEY HERE ON FOOTWEAR

Women’s Red and Green Sandals Os course we will have many pairs to start with Saturday, but at this price gB || A they will melt away fast. Values In the3 .UU lot as high as $2.50. If you wish to ■ - share this bargain then you better ■ come down early B

Women’s $3.00 Low Shoes at These are Sandals and Strap Slippers, and sell ordinarily at $3. Smart sum- m QO iner-time footwear such as you want ia "■ tJO and at a mighty low price—$1.98. T ■ Why pay-more? Also other styles at ■ saving prices B

HUNDREDS of PACKAGES of the VERY BEST DOMINO SUGAR Are distributed to our customers every day. In appreciation of their patronage we make a most unusual offer which Is already known In thousands of homes. You should know about it. The sugar desk is at Main Entrance where you always see so many people carrying away a “Sugar Plum.” Come get acquainted.

Ladies’ Wide BELTS White and colored belts in various widths. All the rage now, and we are including a late shipment of several Jfl hundred in this JRR fl B special price lot at gfl A 49c. Values in the ■MB a fl If lot up to $1 fl Iff

Ladies’ Cool DRESSES Street, porch or house wear dresses of lawns, linene, beach cloth and ginghams. Many _ styles and colors. gB Qv will he shown §| • *7O special tables in ~ B the Beady-t<F-Wear Dept. Saturday ■

Ladies’ $3.00 Sweaters Those popular Kid Boots sweaters of fibre silk or wool. Short wing sleeves iH QQ Many colors. j **7o got In six "dozen for” fl .—- Saturday's selling. B 11 1 Main Aisle special B

Regal Records, 3 for $1 Double-side records. All the latest Instrumental and vocal selections. Allff gfl |}i| first quality. Come*}) "fl ,vv in and hear them fl ■■■ played in our big Record Department ■

35c Dress GINGHAM S2 Inches wide. Neat fast color patterns. Mothers will buy lt now for MB girls’ school dress- B B es. Just one of M A many yard goods W fl savings here

Open Saturday Nights Till 9 o’Clock

Ladies’ I2V2C HOSE Black, brown or white cotton hose. Avery good quality, slight seconds of regular and 15c grades. 500 jRSSk pairs in this special sale m B Saturday while they Ust A at the big hosiery fl counter W

LADIES’ $4.00 VOILE DRESSES Have anew cool dress for the many hot days. These are those popular dresses of raised dot . voile in various colors. Also some QQ other kinds included on a big special ■ B #*7o rack for quick selling near the en- M • trance door. When you come in Saturday take a peep at them

Men’s 95c Work Shirts Good weight blue chambray that Is fast color. Cut full and roomy. All 888 A sizes. A brand that Mfl ■ usually sells for sl. M Mffl A Men, just see these m llf shirls % lb#

ODD LOT MEN’S DRESS SHIRTS Broken assortments of neck-band styl dress shirtg that were sl. $1.25 and $1.50. Some slightly mussed or soiled from handling. |H KM All grouped on one table for quick g selling. Practically all sizes to start. B A Also special low prices on other dress Jfl _ B shirts in our big Men’s Department ■

Men’s $2 OVERALLS Bib overalls of heavy blue denim.l Double sewed; full set pockets I Our boast is that _ I this is the best Q fgS AA] overall value in In-*5 fl •Ts */| dlanapolis. Every fl workingman should see it ™ |

SALE LADIES’ 98c APRONS 100 Aprons only while they last Saturdav at this low price. Coverall style SM with tie sash. Made of plain linene in fl l'’ green, lavender, blue and tan. Limit Bnaj A one to a customer. Special rack on the _ fl _ fl Main Aisle M V

Child’s 85c Rompers Age up to 6 years. Made of linen* and ginghams . Var- _ lous colors. One of MB sq many special items fl B on sale in our Chil- Mffl A dren’s and Infants’ M fl <■ fl Department w

SALE OF FANCY RUGS AT Smyrna Rugs, double side. Those . _ woolly-looking rugs with a comblna.fi* gfl ||il tion of rich dark colofs. Good size, sp iUu Canvassers get big prices for just such fl 1111 rugs as we are offering in this sale for only sl. Only 100 to sell K

$1 BLEACH SHEETS Size 72x90-Inch seamed bleached sheets. $1.25 value .. selling at our) cut mS3 price of 98c. but on M m sale Saturday only m S at 77c- Limit two fl B V to a customer B H

HUNDREDS OF REMNANTS In the rear of the store you will see immense tables containing remnants and short lengths of various kinds of materials. All are plainy marked and so arranged you can wait on yourself. A saving on every piec**. Surrounding these tables are also many special offerings in draperies. Avery interesting spot for shrewd shoppers.

Men’s Blue Work Shirts, 0n1y.... 44c Men’s 50c NECKWEAR~atT 25c Any Man’s STRAW HAT Now. . .93c Men’s 69c ATHLETIC U. SUITS . 49c Men’s DRESS SHIRTS, Special. . .98c Men’s $4.50 DRESS PANTS $2.98 Odd Lot Boys’ WASH PANTS. . .25c Ladies $1.50 to $2.00 PURSES now $1 Ladies 10c DRESSING COMBS.. . .5c $4.00 Electric Irons, Guaranted, $2.98 Ladies' 10c Handkerchiefs at 5c Ladies’ $3 Crepe KIMONOS at $1.98 Large Palm Leaf FANS, 3 for... .10c

Ladies’ Canva? Sport SLIPPERS White with black trimmings. Apother one of the bargain efferi that will C* gn A A crowd our shoe department Saturday. •UU Really this is the place to save money. fl _____ Hundreds of people have found this ■ - out long ago. Come and Investigate.. B

Children’s ScufFers and Sandals Sizes run from sup to large 2. Everyone knows what they are, but not ev- SB JS eryone expects to buy them for so low BB Eg 9 a price as 80c. Several hundred pairs X for Saturday’s selling, but the demand B B ■ HLa will be heavy Bnß w

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