From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, October 19, 1916: First steps to assure a clean election were taken yesterday when a committee of two officials of the Church Federation and other good citizens met with United States district attorney L. Ert Slack and received a promise that he would give immediate attention to any evidence of fraud placed before him. The plan is to have Sheriff George Coffin deputize 100 men of the highest standing to watch the polls and take note of any violations with names and other facts necessary for prosecution. With the U. S. attorney receiving these facts, it is believed that would-be election schemers may have a wholesome fear of being prosecuted in Federal court instead of local courts. All citizens who are interested in clean elections are invited to co-operate with the committee.