Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-19

of County Commissioners for Mont
gomery County: Benjamin c. Perry
president; Downey williams, Robert l.
Hickerson, Clagett G. Hilton and Lacy
Shaw"
Lee Calls for Probe.
In a statement read to the grand
jury, Speaker Lee said that as O citizen
and duly elected member Of the Mary
land Legislature from MONTGOMERY
County, he respectfully demanded that
you investigate the charges which have
been repeatedly made against me In
the columns of the Montgomery In
dependent, published in this county, to
the effect that I have, as a public
official. so manipulated the government
of Montgomery County that I have
alleged criminal, illegal, corrupt OF
reprehensible acts performed by the
public officials of the county at my
direction or with my knowledge and
approval and conniyance.
Either these charges are true or
else they are false.
IF true, it is your duty in your off,
cial capacity, to cause my indictment
to the end that I may be brought to
a speedA public trial. If these charges
are not true, it is equally your solemn
criminally libellouS charges so that they
may be brought to equally speedy, public
trial.
II am advised that the truth is q de-
tense for criminal libel and should
those making the charges be indicted
criminally they must, in their own de-
Tense, make every effort to prove the
truth of their charges. Should county
officials be indicted they will undoubt-
eddy make every effort to disprove the
charges against them in open court
Either procedure will undoubtedly un-
cover any corrupt or criminal ofYicial
| acts of the government of Montgomery
County, If any such exists, and so be 9
continuing guarantee of honest govern.
ment in the future and the immediate
punishment of the guilty.
Sees No Opposition TO Trial.
mo citizen or group of citizens car
oppose plan with such a promise Of
speedy and almost automatic justice II
both the people of the county and the
officials of the county.
Il further call your attention of the fact
| that no one connected with the Mont
gomery Independent has prior to today
voluntarily appeared before your hon.
orable body or the preceding Severa
grand juries to testify in support of ths
sweeping charges 4hey have printed anc
circulated In Montgomery County.
Il most earnestly invite your atten-
ton to the fact that only you, aS thu
grand jury for Montgomery County
can indict criminal acts by public ON
cials, and only you can indict for Grim.
inal libel
These charges, repeatedly printed ir
the Montgomery Independent and cir
culated throughout the county, If moi
disposed of by trial in open court viii
place stigma upon my reputation, both
| as a public offlcial and as q citizen.
similar result threatens the reputation
Of the government of your county.
81 earnestly suggest that in justice tc
| yourselves, to the county and to me II
| Is your solemn duty and obligation t.
make full, adequate and complete in.
vestigation to the end that complete
| justice may be done to all. It is your
plain duty to initiate proceedings to pro-
tect the people of your county from
dishonest government, or to protect
honest officials from series of criminal
| libels.
"One condition or the other now exists
| in Montgomery County. You cannot
avoid the responsibility and the obliga.
| ton to initiate proceedings in an open
court Of record which will determine
which condition now exists In Mont
gomery County and do justice to ALL"