Evening star., 1934-05-18
BROOKE lee QUITS
ALL STATE POSTS
Montgomery Lieutenant of.
Gov. Ritchie to Devote
Time to Business.
Nv a STAFF CORRESPONDENT of The Star.

BY STAFF Correspondent of The Star
SILVER SPRING, Md. May 18.-E.
Brooke Lee, one of the chief political
lieutenants of Gov. Albert c. Ritchie,
has resigned from the three positions
he held under the State administra-
ton.
Announcement of his resignation
from the State Roads Commission, the
Board of Regents OF the University of
Maryland, and the War Memorial
Commission of Baltimore was made
last night by Gov. Ritchie, although
letters containing Maj. Lees request
to be relieved of his duties were sent
to Annapolis on May 2.
While business reasons" were given
by Lee as his reason for relinquishing
the three important posts. in political
circles it was reported his move was
part of the fifth-term strategy Of
Gov. Ritchie.
Called Political Move.
1t is said his retirement from Off
cial position will free the Ritchie re-
gime from criticism on the ground
that it was supporting political-offi-
cial department for the purpose Of
the primary campaign.
In retiring from the State positions
which have kept him in the limelight
for the past few years. Lee took oc-
casion to pledge his allegiance to the
Governor in his efforts to win a fifth
term.
Having retired a few months ago
as the head of the Montgomery
County Democratic organization, Lee
today officially, at least. is a private
citizen-a real estate operator, with
out public Office
In this capacity he issued a state
ment predicting the reelection OF
Gov. Ritchie and Representative Da-
vid J. Lewis.
Says Sentiment Is Strong.
"All Of the Democrats of Montgom-
cry County with whom l have talked
favor the reelection of Gov. Ritchie
and Representative Lewis" he said.
In my opinion, Gov. Ritchie Is
stronger in the counties adjacent to
Washington, and in the entire group
of Southern Maryland counties, than
he has ever been.
"A truthful primary, no matter how
intense, will not wreck the chances of
the Democratic party for success in
November. In fact, it may well prove
the only Democratic way possible to
determine the opinion of the Demo-
cratic voters Of the State upon such
vital questions as the qualifications
they desire in their Governor, rOta-
ton in office. the condition of public
credit and reduction in taxation.
II am certain that the Democratic
State candidates will receive the
largest majority in Montgomery in
November that the voters in the
county have ever cast"
In accepting the resignation with
genuine regrets" Gov. Ritchie ex-
pressed the hope that the time will
come when Lee again may hold pub
lie Office.
Governors Closest Friend.
Brooke Lee has been and is now
the best friend I have ever had" the
Governor said. mo one could pos
sibly have been more loyal than he
mas Deen at all tlmeS.
Il cannot see him give up the State
Offices he holds without the most sim
cere and genuine regrets.
There is not the slightest break in
our political or personal friendship.
That will always continue as it has
always existed through the past. !
cannot, however, disregard the per-
sOnal reasons and necessities which
Maj. Lee feels compel him to retire
from public office at this time.
Il hope at some later date he will
be able to resume his public duties for
which think he is so well fitted
Lees letters of resignation said that
1.-THE complete need of my entire time
in the work Of our general real estate
and building business in Silver
Spring." prompted him to retire from
office.