Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1909 — Gary’s Mayor Orders the “Blind Pigs” to Close. [ARTICLE]

Gary’s Mayor Orders the “Blind Pigs” to Close.

Chicago, Aug. I.—As the result of a clash between state and city officials over the suppression of vice and lawlessness at Gary, Ind., that “model town” tomorrow practically will be under martial rule. Deputy sheriffs under command of Sheriff Thomas Hunter, of Lake county, will take charge of the situation over the head bf Mayor T. E. Knotts and his police department unless that official carries out his declaration that he will at once check the notorious liquor lawlessness. t> While the “blind pigs” were running wide open tonight, Mayor Knotts announced that neither troops nor deputy sheriffs w’ould be necessary to close up the illegal saloons and disorderly houses of Gary. He declared that in the-future he intended to enforce the law to the letter and that before the day was over every “blind pig” would be closed and deserted. “There’s nothing to this talk of troops and deputies,” said the mayor. “I’m capable of running this town myself and if they want everything closed up tight I will give them what they desire. After this I’m putting on the screws tight and those who do not observe the law will go to jail. Nobody will be excepted and I want it understood right now that I mean what I say.” Following the announcement of Governor Marshall of Indiana that he would send the state militia to Gary if the officials of that town did not take immediate steps to stamp out the border lawlessness, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Hodges declared that he would have several hundred deputy sheriffs sworn in if necessary to close up the “blind pigs” and other illegal places which have been flourishing in the city. Prosecutor Hodges openly charged Mayor Knotts with failing to perform his duty as the chief executive of the city. He also said that more than 100 "blind pigs” were operating unchecked in Gary, At least fifty of these, he said, were selling liquor without even a government license. The federal authorities will be asked to investigate the alleged Violation of the revenue laws. “I am taking my stand with the better element of Gary behind me,” said Mr. Hodges. “This week will see the end of ‘blind pigs’ and other disorderly places, and we will not wait for Mayor Knotts to take the initative.”