Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-04
SECRET PETITION
| LAID TO POLITICS
Montgomery Official Sees At
tempt to Destroy Coun-
tvs Credit.
by WILLIAM S. TARVER,
STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF The Star.

SILVER SPRING, Md, June A.
Petitions circulated through Mont
gomery County. demanding a grand jury
investigation of the county adm1n1Stra-
ton brought forth countercharges last
night from Lacy Shaw, president OF the
Board of County Commissioners, that
the move was political character as
sasSination," initiated by anti-adminis-
tration leaders for the purpose OF ruin
ing the county's credit.
He said the motive back OF the cir
culation of the petitions was to make
it difficult or impossible for Montgomery
TO find a market for its road. school
and park bonds authorized by the last
Legislature and so defeat the develop
ment program of the Democratic organ
ization now in power.
Responsibility Denied.
Meanwhile leaders of the Progressive
Democratic party and the Republican
party steadfastly denied authorship OF
the petitions and disclaimed that prep
aration of the petitions was instigated
by them or that they have circulated
them or urged that they be signed.
They said that the petitions are
evidences. of widespread dissatisfaction
with methods of the present admins
tration, which is finding an outlet. The
peIlLlOIlSs IIley Sdlu, 1ldu CllSh olI6 IA
the rank and file Of the anti-adminis-
tration forces and in no sense represent
premediated political move by leaders.
Circulation Of the 100 petitions, now
being signed, has been going on for
about a week, it was learned yesterday.
but so quietly was the work done that
organization leaders knew nothing of 1t
until publication of articles yesterday
in daily newspapers. The petitions are
anonymous. Mr.. Shaw spokesman for
the county administration, stated that
the move is "but continuation OF the
political character assassination in
Montgomery County that has been fos-
tered and forwarded by political lead
ers opposed to the county administra-
ton for the past several years.
Because of the fact that attacks Of
this character became so acute less than
year ago, the county commissioners
on their own volition went before the
grand jury of Montgomery County and
insisted on a grand jury investigation
Of the county's affairs. The county
commissioners then felt that such an
Investigation was imperative in order to
prevent the undermining of public
faith and confidence in the integrity OF
the county government and the county,
business affairs"
Clean Bill Of Health.
The investigation at that time re-
suited in a clean bill of health being
| given the administration. Mr.. Shaw
asserted that the probe year ago was
opposed publicly and privately by these
same anti-county administration lead
ers who are now '--culating the petit
| lions for anct .lilar investigation. y
Mr.. Shaw that 'if the petitions
being circulated have sufficient merit
to justify the judges in referring them
to the grand jury, we shall be just as
eager to aid the grand jury in its in
| vestigation this time as we were In
| insisting upon it year ago.
IF it is the desire of any one In
authority that the records of the county
| shall be audited by disinterested audi
| tors, We shall Cooperate with equal
| enthusiasm. We regret the expense