Evening star., 1932-11-02
KENT CONSTABLE
GETS REPR|MAND
Prince Georges Board Acts
on Complaint of Two
D. c. Motorists
BY q STAFF Correspondent of The Star

BY staff Correspondent of The Star
UPPER MARLBORO, Md, Novem-
Der 2-Consideration OF complaints
against a constable and of road re-
,, quests featured the weekly meeting of
Prince Georges County's commission
ers yesterday.
Walter NJ Grimes. president of the
board administered severe reprimand
to Constable Ralph Knight of Kent dis
trict for firing his revolver in arresting
H. M. Roach of the 14OO block Of
Spring road, Washington, on charges
of speeding
Mr.. Roach and his wife told the
commissioners they did not know
Knight was policeman when an auto
mobile in which he was riding with two
other men and young woman pulled
abreast of their car on the Baltimore
Boulevard at Berwyn. October %.
Roach said he slowed down and stop
ped after Knight shot at his front tire
DR.. John o. Spain of the New York
State Department of Health Roach's
uncle, was also passenger in the car.
Was Hunting Bootlegger.
Knight claimed Roachs car had IL
cense tags similar to those on a boot
chase it. He declared he fired at the
ground, and not at a tire. when the
man failed to obey his command to
halt
During the hearing another Complaint
was filed with the board by Lawrence
G. Waters OF Lanham, protesting against
the continuation of the services of
Constable Knight" because the officer
shot tire off the car OF EDGAR Harras
'Aof Washington last Friday night Mr.
Waters said Harras had two bullet
holes In his car and ruined tire and
tube to show for the constab ble's marks
manship.
The commissioners also received a
written complaint from Mr. Harras. in
closing letter he had written Gov.
Ritchie about the incident Harras
was charged with reckless driving and
failing to stop on signal from an officer
and will be tried November 20 at Hy-
attsville.
Warning to All Officers.
States Attorney Alan Bowie, who
attended the hearing, told Knight pub
Ideally at its conclusion that an officer
is never justified in using his gun in
automobile or liquor misdemanor cases.
Commissioner Grimes declared the
board docs not like receiving these
complaints" and announced the warn
ing given Knight was also intended for
all the other county officers
Asserting County Policeman F.. Ar
mold Naylor had done some very good
work" including the arrest of three
liquor law violators in one night. Mr.
Bowie suggested the officer be given a
new automobile. The suggestion was
approved.
An application for appointment as
constable Of Spaldings district was filed
by Albert L. Fowler, but no action
taken.
The board also took no action on a
request for an appropriation Of $1,000
for the graveling Of the Branchviue-
Glenn Dale road. 1t took under advise
lrent q request that an additional por-
tion OF the Lanham-Severn road be
built next year. An appropriation of
$3.50 was voted for the construction OF
bridge over Kings Branch, Noting
ham district.
Rexoning Is Approved.
Two applications for zoning changes
| were approved on recommendation OF
| the Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. Reclassif-
| cation of lots %, "a, 25 and rs, block
| 10 of the addition to Berwyn from resi-
dental to commercial. subject to So
| foot setback, as asked by W. p Ma
| gruder was approved, as was the petit
| tion Of c. V. R. Sweet. agent, for re-
classification Of lots 8, 4, 5, 6, block g
and lots II to 20, inclusive, block T.
Brentwood, from residential to COM
mercial. A 10-foot setback was ordered
| in the latter case.
The board will not meet next week,
Tuesday being election day.