The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-18

The authority Of Mayor Garrett, OF Glen
Echo. and his lieutenant, Marshal Collins,
lin terrorizing automobilists along the Con-
duit road is 10 be tested in the United
States Supreme Court.
This was the decision reached yesterday
al a conference between Secretary Of War
Taft and Prosecuting Attorney Peter, OF
MONTGOMERY County, Nd Secretary Taft,
while accepting the opinion Of Attorney
| General BOnaparte that the Conduit road
/ is a government reservation over which
the State OF Maryland has no Jurisdiction,
/ has expressed a willingness 10 allow the
rights of the State 10 be passed upon by
the Supreme Court OF the United States.
At the conference Mr.. Peter said the
State Of Maryland would not dispute the
opinion OF the Attorney General in which
/ he held that the mayor Of Glen Echo had
no authority tC impose fines upon persons
violating the speed regulation Of the vii
/ Iage Of Glen Echo on the Conduit road,
/ but at the same time the State does con-
tend that when, through condemnation
! proceedings. It surrendered the right 10
the United States to construct a conduit
| it did not surrender jurisdiction.
Peter Net in sympathy.
Mr.. Peter made it plain 10 Secretary
lTaft that the state does not uphold Mayor
Garrett in the course he has taken 10
enrich the town Golfers, and recently the
/ cases which have come up for violation
Of the regulations as 10 speed have been
tried before a justice Of the peace. who.
Instead Of the mayor, has authority in
such matters
It was agreed that Mr.. Peter should
consult with District Attorney Rose. OF
Baltimore. and that a test case should be
selected to be carried through the Court
of Appeals TO the highest tribunal In the
land. In the meantime there is nothing
to prevent Marshal Collins from continu-
ing his course in making arrests, unless
it might be the fear that an adverse de-
cision by the Supreme Court would result
IN causing him a great deal Of trouble.
1t was pointed out yesterday that a
| years time might elapse before the Su-
preme Court could reach and dispose OF
the test case.
VIII Take Long Time.
This. however, is a condition which can
not be remedied. and Secretary Taft is
willing to await that sort OF a settlement
Of the matter. believing that it Is the best
way of disposing of il
Secretary Taft's attention was called to
the statement of Mayor Garrett to the
effect that Secretary Taft could do moth
ing in the matter, and that he intended
/ -
tofore followed.
The lucubrations of a little swelled
official like this fellow. imbued with SEN
sationalism," replied the Secretary, will
not disturb the relations between the Wal
Department and the State OF Maryland
The Maryland authorities viii select a
test case, and it will be carried TO the
Supreme Court"
Garrett Stands Pat.
Mayor Garrett expressed much surpris.
when informed last night as to the re
suit OF the conference at the War De
partment After a moments hesitation
while he allowed himself TO comprehen,
the whole situation at glance and recall
the well-thumbed pages Of his Blackstone
he said for publication:
First, last, and always, maintain tha
neither the township of Glen Echo no
myself will ever refund one penny. de
spite the threats of the officials. I vii
go to jail first. and Glen Echo will ALLOW
herself to be wiped off the map. Col
Inns viii be on the road at o'clock. ant
will arrest ali who violate the law. 1
the officials used more horse-sense an,
less words. Of which neither they nor th.
pubic know the meaning, better result
would be accomplished. But one fine wa.
collected after a trial; the others wer
left as collateral and forfeited, ard non,
of these viii be refunded. I will spen,
what money has not been spent, and thel
all the officials in the world cannot nak
| me give il up"