Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
PRINCE GEORGES
POLICE DENOUNCED
Change in Supervision Urged
by Citizens at Hearing,
Who Charge Laxity.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.


ANNAPOLIS, Md, February 28.-1n-
crease of a lawless element in Prince
Georges County, without any noticeable
objection on the part of the police force,
is forcing residents into Montgomery
County by droves and is keeping thou
sands of other good citizens from pur-
chasing property there, the Prince
Georges delegation in the Maryland
General Assembly were told yesterday
at hearing on a proposed bill to trans
fer the control of the police force from
the sheriff's Office to the county COM
missioners Proponents of the measure
in arguing for its introduction and pas
sage by the current Legislature painted
a vivid picture Of a county filled with
gamblers, bootleggers and drinking
places, where questionable parties and
dances are held to the disturbance of
the law-abiding citizens many Of whom
have been disguised to the point Of
selling their property and leaving.
The Senate and House delegations,
meeting in joint session, were told that
buildings, private and public, are con-
tinually broken into. and nothing has
been done by the police to attempt to
prevent such crimes and the criminals
seem to know that they will have free
hand. The troubles, however, were laid
by the speaker directly in the sheriffs
Office and not so much on the members
of the police force which was author
lied at the last session of the LcgiS-
lature.
Judge Shepherd Speaks.
People are going to Montgomery
County by droves because they cannot
have police protection in Prince George
County Judge j. H. Shepherd of Ber-
wyn told the delegation over which Sem
ator Lansdale G. Sasscer Of Upper Marl-
boro presideds He said it was mecca
for gamblers, bootleggers and the drink
ing element. Judge Shepherd pointed
out to the delegation that Judge Robert
Peter of Montgomery County had point
ed out in his recent charge to the grand
jury at Rockville that the elimination
of the gambling and lawlesS element
from Montgomery County was due to
the work of the police force there, and
Judge Shepherd said that Prince
George County's police '.force should do
the same thing.
Delegate Henry L. Morris, Upper
Marlboro. interrupted the speaker a.
this point to say that he did not be-
lieve that there was any more drinking
in Prince George than in Montgomery,
but that some way ought to be found to
drive out the gambling element.
he could see no reason why the county
commissioners should not be intrusted
with the appointment of the chief Of
police Senator Sasscer then pointed out
that the county commissioners could dis
charge the policemen overnight, and
therefore had some control over the
force, but Judge Shepherd said that
they could not discharge the sheriff.
He named several places in the county
where drinking parties gathered m a
disorderly manner, and were not dis
turbed.
Delegates Norris said that every one
knew Of the condition in Prince George,
and pointed out that The Washington
Evening Star had pointed out some OF
the places in great detail
Senator Sasscer said that he had
suggestion that the police force of Prince
Georges be put under control Of the
States attorney. but the proponents
held up thei.: hands at this. He added
that he had made the suggestion, and
had received promise that it would
be carried out, to have the county police
visit various sections of the county and
confer with individuals and officials In
the community to ascertain If they had
any complaints requiring police action.
He thought that If this was done the
Sou1iey SOuio oluiubiC oioli6 AoL dL-
other two years.
Peach Urges Change.
S. Marvin Peach of Hyattsville, repre-
senting the Chamber of Commerce and
the Community Council, said that the
people didn't have any hope of the
sheriff doing anything like that, and
stumble along" would be just what
would be done.
The delegation also held a hearing
on proposed bill to change the law
80 that the county treasurer of Prince
Georges could succeed himself. E. A
Fuller of Hyattsville. former county
treasurer, pointed out that it was good
law, and In the interest Of efficient gov
eminent should be introduced and
passed.
During the course of the hearing. j.
Ernest Smith. incumbent. was highly
praised by all of those who spoke on
the bill. and there were no opponents.
c. H. Welsh of Hyattsville, presented
a resolution passed by the board Of
directors Of the First National Bank
Of Hyattsville. urging the change.
Alexander GUIDE Of Hyattsville pointed
out that all large corporations and
other organizations kept men in such
positions for years, because they had
found 1t in the interest of good bust
ness.
Senator Sasscer announced that he
had received o letter from the Citizens
Bank OF Riverdale urging a change in
the law.
George H. Ianhardt of HyattsyiIle
also spoke In favor of the law.