Catoctin clarion., 1918-09-19

The Grand Jury Report.
Finds That Much Liquor Is
Being Brought Into County.
The report of the Grand Jury for the
September term of Court was published
in the Frederick News last Saturday. 1t
is quite lengthy report, and we give
but a portion of it as follows:
"To the Honorable, the Judges OF the
Circuit Court for Frederick County:
1--WE, the grand jurors of and for Fred
erick county, State of Maryland, Sep
tember term 1918, having completed our
labors this 18th day of September, 1913,
do hereby submit the following report:
"We have been in session ten days,
during which time we have examined 232
witnesses, considered 81 cases and found
IS presentments and indictments. We
regret that we were unable to complete
the work in a shorter period of time, but
the many matters claiming our attention
and the numerous witnesses to be exam
ined precuded this.
Following out the instructions OF your
honorable court, we have carefully and
thoroughly Investigated alleged viola
tions of the Prohibition law, which be-
came effective May lst, last. A great
deal of our time was consumed in this
inquiry, more than 60 witnesses being
examined. We find that there has been
considerable quantity of intoxicants
imported into this county since the dry :
law became effective. A large part of
the same, we feel certain, has been brot
in by individuals for their own personal
use, without any violation of the exist
ing law. In this connection we recon-
mend that the present law be strength
ened so as to prevent intoxicants being.
brought here from wet centers In any
quantity whatsoever.
"While we found it extremely difficult
to gain information from witnesses sus-
pected of having purchased intoxicants
here since May lst, we are convinc ed
that so-called bootlegging has been car
ried on in certain places in this county to
such an extent as to seriously concern
every lawabiding citizen. We have found
10 indictments for violation of the Prohi-
bition law. We do not believe that those
indicted are the only offenders.
"We find that the Prohibition law has
been a great benefit to the county as
whole. 1t would be impossible to meas
ure the good it has accomplished even in
this short time. While devoting so much
time to violations of the law. we could
not fail to beimpressed at the same time
with the excellent results it has had not
onlyin individual,cases, but in the improv-
ment of general, moral and social condi-
tions in all parts of the county. We re-
joice in the steps that are being taken at
this time by the National Government to-
ward nationwide Prohibition.
1.-THE death of young boy who was
killed by his playmate in Thurmont
through reckless handling of rifle was
reported and investigated. While the jury
was somewhat aroused by the occurrence
and especially by certain circumstances
following the affair, we did not consider
that the facts warranted criminal prose-
cution. Parents should be very careful
about their children handling firearms.
We suggest that town authorities pay
more attention to the enforcement of
their local ordiances dealing with this
matter.
"The dog license law. which was pass
ed principally for the encouragement of
sheep growing vital war industry
went into effect June /, 1918. While we
found no indictments for violations of
thi, important statute, we wish to warn
all dog owners in Frederick county who
have not already complied, to take out
license at once. There apparently exists
some misunderstanding about the wear
ing of the tags that are issued The law
expressly provides that dogs must wear
these tags at all times, except if in their
kennels or while hunting. We call upon
all loyal citizens to assist in enforcing
this law.
Zone case reported to US and investi-
gated showed that two persons had taken
material from the Western Maryland
Railway Company at Thurmont. 1t deye-
loped that the practice of cleaning out
unloaded cars by persons not employed
by the railroad company has been car
ried on in this community, presumably
with knowledge of the company. Because
of this fact and because it was not shown
that the alleged stolen property came
from loaded cars, the case was dismissed.
We warn all persons not employed by the
railroad to stay off the property which is
now in the hands of the United States
Government, and recommend to the rail-
road authorities that due notice against
such trespassing be posted.
"We were pleased to note the rigid
enforcement of the State traffic laws.
The office of the Motor Vehicle Com
missioner and the authorities in this
cornty are to be commended for showing
no leniency toward speeders, intoxicated
motorists and other violators of the laws.