Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-25
LAX METHODS CHARGED
STRONG LANGUAGE EMPLOYED
BY MARYLAND CITIZENS.
Association Meets at Chesapeake juno
tion-Report Made Of an Un-
punished Crime.

That Prince George county. Md, is
poorly policed community and that 1t has
attained such a reputation abroad was
maintained by those who served as
spokesman at the special meeting of the
Prince George County-Eastern District OF
Columbia Citizens Association. which was
held in its new hail at Chesapeake juno
ton last evening. The meeting was with
out special interest until a report of an un-
punished crime in the county made by
one of the most prominent citizens.
When the flames. started by that recital.
will be quenched is indefinite. but can
safely be set far in the future.
After routine business had been attended
to. Vice President Richard l.. Brown. who
was in the chair. called for reports on the
pool room fight. Mr.. A. W. Mallory stated
the conditions. Then John Gregory rose to
his feet.
Mr.. Chairman" he began, II think I
should call the attention of the members OF
this association to another outrage which
has been perpetrated in the county.
At these words all present turned
toward the speaker and gave him close
attention. Mr.. Gregory explained that he
had a tenant living on his place. near
Chesapeake Junction One week ago last
Friday, he said, Mrs. Stewart, wife of his
tenant, was alone in the house at the close
of the day. when a man approached and
asked if her husband, Louis Stewart, was
at home
When told that he was not the caller
stated tnat ne would come III anu wait I'M
him. This he was forbidden to do by the
wife, whereupon the caller took the matter
into his own hands by attacking the wo-
man. She resisted to the limit of her frail
strength, but was nearly overpowered Her
husband who was returning home, heard
her screams. He hurried to the house
and upon his approach the caller beat
haSty retreat.
Authorities Inactive.
What have the authorities done in the
case?" some one demanded to know.
"Well, Mrs. Stewart complained of the
matter to Magistrate Behrens," was the re-
Spouse, land he promptly issued warrant
for the alleged assailant who was identified
by the woman. That warrant has never
been served"
HAS the sheriff ever investigated the
case?' asked
No; the sheriff has nota been near my
place. constable. to whom the warrant
was given by Judge Behrens, visited the
scene once, / believe
THE sheriff of the county was not avail
able and l had to turn over the war
rant to a constable, explained Mr.. Ben
rens.
The discussion waXed warm at this point,
and it all was to the point that police OFF,
GERS of the county were not doing their full
duty.
At the close a motion was carried that
the association appoint a committee OF
three to wait on the sheriff, inform him or
the serious crime committed, and ask MN
If he intends to act in the matter. MeSSrS.
John Gregory. e. Behrens and R. l.. Brown
were appointed members of that COM
m!ttee
"This is a sad commentary conditions
in Prince George county, said f. S. Car
mody. Here a serious crime has been
committed within 800 yards of another resi-
dence. 1t occurred over week ago, and
although warrants have been sworn out
the county officials have apparently done
nothing. Why don't they do something?
Why don't they do something in the pool
room case? Why don't they look after
these cases? ~
This brings me to an important fact.
The insurance rates in Prince George coun-
ty are much higher than in the adjoining
county of Montgomery. and the alleged rea-
son Is the lawlessneSs and lack of protec-
ton in the county 1t indicates that there
is not enough spirit in the county to en-
force law. How long are these things to
continue? They will continue until you
gentlemen insist on protection to your
self, your property, your VIE and your
faInily."
A. W. Mallery followed with a denuncia-
ton of the lax methods of enforcing JUS
tice, and calling upon the citizens to rec
ogniZe their responsibilities in the matter.
He made the point that this was another
example. following that of the pool room,
where the proper county authorities had
failed to do their duty.
Many Signatures Obtained.
1t was reported to the meeting by Dotn
Mr. Mallery and Mr.. Carmody that the
petitions asking that the grand jury be
reconvened to consider the pool room cases
were being generally signed. An indie
pendent petition was circulated in Glen
dale and signed by large number. In
Hyattsville and Laurel also the petitions
had met approval
1t is expected, according to information,
that they will be collected Monday, and
that Tuesday a delegation will take the
petitions before Judge Merrick, at Upper
Marlboro, when he will be asked to grant
the request of the petitioners.
Last nights meeting was held in the
building owned by the association. For
some time the members have been prepar-
ing for the incorporation of the association.
That has now been accomplished; and
last night over $3.50 of stock certificates
were issued to members in amounts as de-
sired
The cost of the lot and building, besides
the expense of incorporation, have been
paid and the future assets of stock sales
will be used for Improvements. 1t Is eX-
pected that the capital stock Will amount
to $1,000.
| The building occupies a prominent posi-
ton in Chesapeake Junction. 1t will be
used as a meeting place of the association.
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