Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-05-29
Gov. Ritchie Names Body To Probe
Roads Group.

Baltimore Sun Of Monday.
Acting on the suggestion Of Howard
Bruce and John X. Shaw. former members
of the State Roads Commission. Governor
Richie yesterday appointed committee
TO investigate the administrative methods
Of the commission since 1928.
Last Thursday Mr.. Bruce and Mr. Shaw
invited the Governor 10 have a survey
made Of the organization they had worked
TO build up after the State scandal The
request was made in a statement issued
by Mr.. Bruce Ia answer TO criticisms leveled
at the commission since the recent revela-
ton that Montgomery County. over period
Of six years, had been allowed 10 accumu-
late $4,000 debt against the roads
body.
The Governor named:
John J. Michigan. president Of the Safe
Deposit and Trust Company and chairman
of the Michigan Commission that investi-
gated the State Roads Commission shortage.
William p Casey. chairman of the Com
Economy and vice president of the Mary
land Trust Company.
c. c. Grogeon. Of the firm of Haskins &
Sells. certified public accountants.
John J. Ekin. comptroller Of the Balti
more and Ohio Railroad
William Schmidt, Jr., treasurer of the
Gas and Electric Company.
Mr.. Neliean will act as chairman Of the
committee which was asked by the Gov
ernor to meet him in his Office in the Union
Trust Building. Members Of the State
Roads Commission. its auditing officers.
Edward X. Stewart, State auditor, and the
Messrs. uce and Shaw we're also asked
TO be present.
In a statement issued at Annapolis. the
Governor said:
Il am glad to adopt the suggestion re-
Gently made by Mr.. Howard Bruce and
concurred in by Mr.. John K Shaw. both
former members Of the State Roads Com
mission. as to reviewing Of the administra-
tive methods Of the commission and this
am sure will be entirely agreeable to the
present commission.
This review should. think. cover the
financial accounting and general business
system and methods which have been
set up for the commission for the admin
istration Of It's work and under which il is
operated or which is in process Of being
set up
The Governor then named the committee
adding that IL would be a committee
which will undertake the review and give
the State the benefit Of their opinion as to
the adequacy and comprehensiveness Of
the existing system Of methods and any
suggestions or recommendations they think
should be made for its improvement.
Mr. Bruce and Mr.. Shaw resigned recently
from the commission. Of which 6. Clinton
Uhi Is the chairman. Z. Brooke Lee and
Robert Lacy succeeded them May IL and at
that meeting Montgomery County erased
It's debt to the commission with check
for approximately $275.000 and by credit.
ing its 1891 road ALLEGATION to the balance
Mr.. Bruce asserted il had been impossi-
BILE until this year to determine definitely
hos much Montgomery County owed the
commission. He also denied the charge
Of Mr.. Lee. political leader Of the county,
that the commission had billed the county
or more than 100000. only to find the
Montgomery County Commissioners in pos
session ofreceipts for approximately $780,
900 Of the amount.
Mr. Bruce repeated his assertion that
the c. nty should be charged interest on
its debt and suggested that the State
Roads Commission arrange to collect in
terest In the future from the counties on
any expenditures in excess Of actual &C.
cruals In the hands Of the State.
Mr.. Lee accused the old commission Of
discriminating against Montgomery County
In the matter Of debt settlements. This
was denied by Mr.. Bruce.
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