Tag: 1928
West’s Westward Wander: A Trail of Deceit or Transparency?
As the sun set over the vast expanse of the American West, a tale of intrigue and bureaucratic maneuvering unfolded. In September 1928, Secretary of Interior Roy O. West embarked on a high-profile tour of the region, accompanied by a coterie of Congressmen, including Representative Cramton of Michigan and Representative Leavitt of Montana. The itinerary…
Backroom Brawl: Hoosier Politics Turn Ugly
August 25, 1928, was a day of bitter politicking in Indianapolis as the Republican party’s grip on power began to slip. Charles D. Hilles, a national committee man from New York, had been waging a behind-the-scenes battle against Herbert Hoover’s presidential ambitions. And now, it seemed, the gloves were off. Hilles’ handpicked candidate, H. Edmund…
Dry Law Divide: One Minister Questions Prohibition’s Success
In the midst of a heated debate over the effectiveness of Prohibition, a group of Protestant pastors in Indianapolis has spoken out in favor of enforcing the dry law. Led by E.S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League, a coalition of clergy has praised the health and economic benefits of a liquor-free America. Shumaker,…
Jury Acquits Former DC Photographer in Front Royal Murder Case
In a stunning verdict, the jury in the Robinson murder case acquitted former DC photographer, Robinson, in a Front Royal, Virginia courtroom on July 31, 1928. The dramatic acquittal left the packed courtroom in tears, with even the women present overcome with emotion. It was a moment of intense drama, as defense lawyer William C.…
Raskob’s Big Business Gambit: Presidential Politics Meets Wall Street
New York, July 19, 1928 – The big wheels of business are taking a spin in the world of politics. John J. Raskob, the mastermind behind making millions for General Motors executives, is now set to make a President out of Governor Alfred E. Smith. The Democratic national committee chairman has moved his campaign headquarters…
Mystery of the Missing Vacationers
It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for over a dozen unsuspecting travelers. In July 1928, a special train chugged out of Whinton station, bound for Niagara Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Excursions were advertised as a bargain, with tickets good for 16 days, leaving on July…
Blood in the Streets: Big Tim Murphy Falls in Chicago Gang War
June 27, 1928, Chicago – In a night of unrelenting violence, notorious gangland figure Big Tim Murphy met his demise in a hail of bullets on the lawn of his home. The ruthless execution was the culmination of a reign of terror that had gripped the city’s underworld for years. As the news of Murphy’s…
Washington’s Tax Title Thieves: A $233,000 Heist
Washington, D.C. – In a brazen scheme, a group of professional tax title grabbers have been fleecing real estate taxpayers out of a staggering $233,000 in delinquency penalty charges annually. But a new provision in the District appropriations bill aims to put the brakes on this thriving business of bidding in delinquent property to the…
Bucharest Bloodless Uprising: 200,000 Peasants March for Change
On May 7, 1928, the streets of Bucharest, the capital of Rumania, were abuzz with the arrival of two long columns of peasants marching towards the city. The protesters, numbering over 200,000, were driven by a demand for a change in government, with 200,000 peasants and laborers convening at Alba Julia the previous day to…
Uncle Sam’s Cuckoo Nest: The Federal Prisoner Problem
Washington D.C. – May 6, 1928 – For 140 years, the United States government has been outsourcing its incarceration to county jails, cramming federal prisoners into facilities designed for local lawbreakers. This dubious practice has left taxpayers in local counties carrying an unfair burden, while legitimate inmates suffer the consequences of overcrowding. Related Federal Cases…
