Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-24
0'Conor RENTS Fine
To Free Peter Fritz,
Inn Proprietor
Prisoner Released
Month Before End
Of Sentence

Peter Fritz, former proprietor of
the Log Cabin Inn at Wheaton, Md,
storm center of a coming controversy
which reached its climax last fall
was released from the Montgomery
County Jail today, one month before
the expiration of sentence for sell
ing liquor without a license.
Fritz was arrested after a Halo
ween night raid on his inn last fall
and convicted January % in Mont
gomery County Circuit Court, re-
ceiving a sentence of so days and
a $1,000 fine. The sentence pro-
vided an additional six-month term
in the event of failure to pay the
fine.
Unable to pay the fine at the
expiration Of the 60-day period
Fritz had served almost five months
of the extra time when an order
from Gov. O'Conor RENTING the
fine was received this morning by
Sheriff H. Leslie Carlin.
Organizations Sought Closing.
In the controversy last year civic
organizations sought to have Fritz S
place closed. 1t was being operated
in an area classified as residential
Fritz had been its proprietor for
eight years.
States Attorney Ben j. Wilkinson
jr., said II other indictments re-
turned against Fritz had been
dropped after his conviction on the
indictment for which he was found
guilty.
Fritz's difficulties began when he
was arrested in 1887 and charged
with violating the county zonlng
laws by operating a commercial es-
adjustment in a residential area
The charges were later withdrawn
after defense counsel challenged the
constitutionality of the basic act
creating the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and Fritz continued to oper-
ate the inn.
last year obtained passage Of amend
ments to the law to meet objections
raised in the Fritz suit eliminating
spot coming" and requiring coming
according to areas. After passage OF
the act Mr.. Fritz applied for a re-
coming of his property from resi-
Dental to commercial.
Meanwhile, Montgomery County
police investigating reports that
Fritz had been selling beer and
liquor at his inn, although he had
no license, made the Halloween
night raid and held more than loo
patrons for about two hours while
they made a thorough search. They
confscated quantity of liquor, wine
and beer.
CHARGES of Politics.
At about the same time the Mont
gomery County Civic Federation ano
other community organizations were
pressing for enforcement of coming
regulations, claiming Fritz had beer
permitted to operate his place In
violation of zoning laws.
During the three-year controversy
charges of politics were hurled by
various factions participating in the
dispute. The first arrest in 1887 wa:
made under the Fusion administra-
ton bv former Police Chief William
Garrett. a Republican, James H
Pueh. then States ATTORNEY and 9
Democrat, was counsel for Mr.
Fritz. but disqualified himself ano
the Board of County Commissioners
retained special counsel to press 6
civil action against Fritz to restrain
him from operating the inn.
The charges filed by Mr.. Garrett
were later withdrawn and the sui
never came to trial.
Mr.. Pugh was no longer State!
attorney at the second trial on thu
criminal charge last January ant
defended Fritz. During the tria
defense counsel brought out tina
Fritz formerly had a beer license
but that it was not renewed abou'
six years ago when protest wa!
made that his place was being oper.
ated in a residential area.