Montgomery County sentinel., 1924-04-04
Report Of TIE Grand Jury.
Rockville. Nd, March 26, 1924.
the Honorable the Judges of the Circui,

Inc Grand Jury FOR the March Term OF
Court respectfully submits the following
report:
We have examined 206 NHsons. includ-
ing such county officials as are required
by law to make appearance. We have
found lO7 indictments and in IA cases
insufficient evidence was found to warrant
indictments.
We have inspected the Court House and
found numerous small repairs needed, viz.
A leak in the west wall of the States At
torney's office. causing the paperins to
become loose; unsishtly patches in ceiling
OF court room which should be painted
several window lights broken in court room
minor repairs needed in judges room
broken place in floor of the orphans court
room, and six chairs needed. We are ad-
vised that the seating capacity in the
police court is inadequate and recommend
that more seats be provided. The county
surveyors room is badly la need of a
general cleaning, the windows, walls and
fixtures are filthy, and we strongly urge
that this room be cleaned up and repainted
at once. We recommend that the entire
court house be given thorough cleaning,
as we notice that the walls, windows and
lighting fixtures are all generally unclean
and unsightly. We recommend that sew
eral drinking fountains be placed in the
main corridor of the court house. We find
very crowded condition in the clerks
Office. the fling spaces are all nearly filed
with records and the growing business of
the county requires that more space be
provided for this work. We recommend
that an addition be built to the court house
of freproof construction. suitable for the
housing and safekeeping of all the per-
manent records Of the county.
We visited the Jail and found every
thing sanitary and cleanly. A concrete
walk is badly needed from the front steps
to the roadway. We found 20 inmates
as follows: Sixteen colored males. COL
ored female and 8 white males.
We have visited the Aims House and
have found the buildings to be in excel
lent condition, the living quarters were
found to be clean. sanitary and the inmates
comfortable and every indication Is that
they are being well cared for. We have
found II inmates as follows: Eight males
and 8 females.
Stored at the farm are the following
Fifty quarts of canned fruits, so bushels
Of potatoes, go barrels Of corn, 500 bun
dies of fodder. 8 tons Of soy bean hay. 8
tons of timothy hay, and 1900 pounds of
bacon. There are also 80 acres of grow
ing clover to be cut for hay. so acres of
growing wheat. and 6 acres Of growing rye.
The following live stock. all in excellent
condition, was found to be on hand Five
horses, 6 cows, 16 hogs. 2 shoats. 100 hens,
cocks and 8 turkeys And we found all
necessary machinery and implements to
be in good condition. The following fuel
was found to be on hand; Two tons of
coal and 10 cords of firewood. We would
recommend that fire extinguishers be placed
in the buildings occupied by the inmates.
A noted improvement about the farm and
buildings Is quite evident and we highly
commend Mr.. Shaw for bis efficient man.
aeement since he bas been in charge.
We recommend that Mr.. Shaw be COM
pensated for his services in connection
with his work at the farm.
In reference to your honor's charge to
the grand jury concerning conditions along
the Conduit Road, we have made thorough
investigation Of every report coming to us
In this connection but have nothing new
to report. We believe that reports as to
these conditions are exaggerated or that
the violators are so efficient in their opera
tions that detection is well nigh impossible.
We believe that the officers are particu-
larly watchful in that section and are do
ing all in their power to break up any
disorder that may exist.
In our investigations we have found
that there is existing a certain friction
between the chief Of the police and the
sheriff. Evidence has been submitted to
US showing that unnecessary harsh treat
ment has been accorded several persons
who have been arrested by the police force.
1t seems to be an unsettled question as to
whether the chief Of police or the sheriff
has the higher authority.
We have been advised that sometime in
the past an advisory board has been in
augurated for the purpose Of conferring
with the police force in the execution of
its duties. but that this board has never
functioned. We recommend that the court
use at once any means within its power
to right the existing conditions. as we are
convinced that such conditions are not the
best for maintaining law and order in the
county.
We wish to commend the States Attor-
ney for the invaluable assistance he has
rendered US in the examination Of wit
nesses and for having promptly brought
before US all witnesses summoned.
We have investigated every report Of
violations Of the liquor law and gambling
and nave returned numerous indictments
in these cases.
Having completed all business coming
TO our attention we ask to be discharged
JOHN R. LEWIS,