Evening star., 1936-03-15
AUDIT OF AVENUE
PROJECT IS ASKED
Peter Arrest May Bring
Sweeping Probe-PoIicy
Decision Tuesday.
i, , star corr.,nondent Of Tn. Star

By STAN Correspondent OF The star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, March IA
sweeping audit of all county accounts
pertaining to the widening Of Wiscon-
sin avenue is to be sought by Paul M.
Coughlan. acting president of the
Board of Montgomery County Com
missioners, following the arrest Of Ed
ward Peter, former counsel to the
board, on embezzlement charges.
The statement by the acting head
Of the board came ct the close OF an
executive session today during which
Peters resignation was unanimously re-
jected by the commissioners and his
immediate dismissal ordered.
Coughlan said he would ask his COL
leagues at their meeting on Tuesday to
authorize the audit to determine
whether or not there are any irregu-
larities involved in the county's pur-
chase of rights-of-way for the Wiscon-
sin avenue widening project.
The cost of paving was borne by the
State and Federal governments, but
the rights-of-way for the work were
either dedicated to or bought by the
county.
Audit Held Advisable Move.
It was said by Coughlan that he has
no reason to suspect anything might
be wrong in the transactions along
Wisconsin avenue, but he considered
the audit necessary to definitely de-
termine II the accounts are in salts
factory condition.
Shortly before his arrest yesterday
Peter turned over to Ira C. Whitacre,
clerk to the commissioners, SIS, ,941 .05,
an amount said to have been given
the former in a series OF checks for
settlement of claims against the
county by property owners whose land
had been taken for the widening OF
Wisconsin avenue.
Peter sought to resign when ne
learned that warrant had been Is
sued for him as the result Of probe
by States Attorney James H. Pugh,
and he submitted his resignation,
effective today, to Whitacre yesterday.
The commissioners voted unani-
mously to reject the resignation and
then voted in a like manner to dis
miss Peter Immediately.
No Added Expense Involved.
Coughlan said the audit Of the Wis
consin avenue widening project would
not involve any extra expense to the
county, as a general audit of all
Montgomery accounts Is made an
nually at the close of the fiscal year
on June 80. The avenue account
audit would become a part OF the
general audit.
At the meeting next Tueday the
commissioners also are slated to select
Peters successor. 1t Is understood
Albert NJ Bouic has been offered the
post. Bouic, a local attorney, is
Peters brother-in.law. Both were re-
garded as leaders of the Fusion party
movement.
As Coughlan made known his in
tention to ask for the audit, it be-
came known that the grand jury,
which convenes on Monday, might in
vestigate the countyis financial setup
which, it is alleged, made it possible
to expend funds without proper
authorization.
The States case is based On the
contention that there was no oficial
authorization for the money PAID to
Peter and that it was not used for
the purpose specified in the reputedly
irregular orders made out ia his favor.
Ruber Stump Signature.
The orders for the checks. the State
alleges, were issued by clerks at Pc
ter's request and signed With rubber
stamp, bearing VI. signature of Whit
acre. who said they were issued with
out his knowle 1ge
The stamp has been turned over TO
States Attorney Pugh. it was learned
Whitacre said a similar stamp was
used by his predecessor in Office
Peter posted $4,000 bond fer his
release yesterday. after voluntarily
appearing at Pughs office 10 have
the warrant served on him. He de-
clined to make o statement regarding
the charges, nor would he eyeal who
will be his attorney.
He is scheduled to be given a hear
ing In County Police Court on Friday.