Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1912 — BACKING UP. [ARTICLE]

BACKING UP.

Logansj&it Commercial Club Weakon Purtelle. Logansport Reporter: The petition filed by Eugene Purtelle, promotor of the Indiana & Northwestern Traction company, asking that the county commissioners call an election in Eel tp., to vote on the question of giving the company a subsidy of one-half of one per cent, or about $50,000 as a bonus, for running the line into Logansl>ort will not be granted. The petition was filed late yesterday afternoon and originally contaiined forty-one signatures. Two Of these, Charles H. Stuart and Dr. J. A. Little, were scratched off, by the parties themselves, before it was filed, leaving thirtynine. Today Ad Beal filed a writ-

ten withdrawal and Carl Rees, Harry Bell, William Graffis and John G. Keip announced that they would withdraw their signatures. Investigation of the signers reveals that nine have signed who are not flreeholders, which the law demands, leaving just an even twenty-five signatures to the petition. Twenty-five signers is all is required by law, but it is believed that there, will be other withdrawals. Many signed the petition without investigating the financial standing of PurteUe. But since the newspapers have exposed some of his doings, and have shownihim up as a promoter without any fl-, nancial backing, they have reconsidered theiir action, whd will probably withdraw their signatures. It is possible that the Logansport Commercial Club will hold another meeting and rescind its action. The club,...at a special meeting, indorsed Purtelle’s plan of holding a subsidy election, but now that the members have had their eyes opened, they will no doubt reconsider.