Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-28
MONTGOMERY FUND
INQUIRY RECESSED
Probers Adjourn Hearing to
April 7 Without Intimation
as to Findings.
By a statr cOrrespondent Of The Star.

By STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd, March 28.--After
hearing witnesses for four days, the
Montgomery County grand jury asked
for recess until April last night
without announcing any conclusions it
may have reached as a result of its
investigation of the political fight now
on in the county.
The jury remained in its room from
2 until S o'clock yesterday afternoon
without calling any witnesses Then,
at the latter hour, a stenographer was
sent for. statement was dictated and
read few minutes later in the court
room by Foreman George C. Fry.
Recess Requested.
Eve request that we be allowed to
recess until Monday, April T." the state
ment read. We have not completed
our deliberations and we feel we need
the assistance of the States attorney
and we realize there are persons in Jail
who are entitled to a speedy trial, and
therefore ask permission to recess until
the above date so that the cases on the
criminal docket may be tried" The
request was granted by Judge Robert
B. Peter.
States Attorney Robert B. Peter, jr.,
had been in constant attendance on the
jury until yesterday when the opening
of the regular term of court neceSSi-
tated his being present in the court
room.
Although it was known the grand
jury was reluctant to proceed without
the assistance of the States attorney,
their decision to recess was, neverthe-
less, distinct surprise TO persons who
INnU foII ha
The principal function of the States
attorney when appearing before the
grand jury is to question witnesses
called before that body. Z. Brooke
Lee, county Democratic leader, COM
pleted his testimony before the Jury
yesterday morning, and 1t was not be-
lieved any more witnesses would be
called.
Therefore, it was pointed out by per-
sons familiar with grand jury proce-
dure in the county, there was reason to
believe the inquiSitorial body might
proceed on its own initiative. So gen.
eral was this belief that when, after
the jury had conferred behind closed
doors for three hours. rumor was
started to the effect that indictments
were being prepared, 1t was generally
accepted as true.
May Call More Witnesses.
When the grand jury reconvenes
April Z, it may decide TO call additional
witnesses. The fact of the postpone
ment lends credence to the belief, in
the eyes of many observers, that some
last-minute development in the jury
room caused a majority of the jurors
to feel that further testimony was
necessary before they could arrive at
a decision. Mr.. Peter will be free Of
his court duties when the jury meets
again.
The grand jury began its investiga-
ton at the request of the Board of
County Commissioners and Mr.. Lee.
They appeared in the jury room last
Wednesday to demand a thorough in
vestigation of charges published in the
Montgomery Independent, mouthpiece
of the political group known as the
ants, to the effect that certain county
officials had handled funds improperly
and that favoritism had been shown
in the matters Of property assessments
and road building.
II these charges are true, the jury
was told, the responsible county off,
Gals should be held for trial. II, how
ever, it was commended, they cannot be
substantiated, the persons responsible
for their publication should be indicted
for criminal libel.