Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1942-07-30

A demand that hackers of the
plan for adopting a charter form
of government for Montgomery
County make clear their motives
and final objectivess to the public
was voiced in an open letter by
Joseph A. Cantrel of Chevy Chase
to Allen H. Gardner, chairman of
the charter committee, this week.
Mr.. Cantrel's letter, which was
made public on Wednesday, adj
dressed number of pointed ques-
tions to the so-called "father" of
the charter movement. The letter,
he said, is to be regarded as re-
Spouse to Mr.. Gardner's attack
upon the motives and partisanship
of those who oppose the proposed
charter change.
Distrust of the American voter
and American elected officials form
the basis for the fundamental
recommendation that Montgomery
County adopt a charter govern
ment, Mr.. Cantrel charged in open
ing. This distrust, he said, is ex-
pressed in "a direct statement de-
claring against the continuation of
majority rule in the choosing of
Montgomery County officials and a
further direct statement of the
Bookings report that the two
party system should be barred by
law in future county elections"
To thus destroy ans two-party
system, majority rule and direct
voting, he continued, would offer
"an opening wedge" for the de-
struction of "these fundamental
bulwarks of American freedom" in
each state and in all $500 counties
in the United States. Such a pro-
posal at this time, especially at
this stage in the worlds history, is
subject to most critical inspection
and the most acid test of general
public scrutiny as to the motives
and final detectives of those who
advance it, he declared.
$50 1 am led" Mr.. Cantrel said,
Ito ask Mr.. Allen H. Gardner, who
has been chairman of half dozen
civic, political and other commit
tees. largely Republican, that have
attempted to put in motion the
charter movement, the following
extremely fundamental American
questions:
"Mr. AAen H. Gardner, is it not
true that you have recently stated
that there is little reason for peo-
pie to be so worked up over the
general question of winning the
present worldwide war because
when Hitler has taken what he
wants a negotiated peace will be
arranged? If not, what have you
been stating as your personal posi-
ton on this vital subject?
"Mr. Gardner, is it true that you
have told representatives of the
civilian defense activities in Mont
gomery County that you are un-
able as an individual TO participate
in the local activities of civilian de-
Tense because you are so busy
leading the movement to change
the government of Montgomery
County to something called "char-
ter? If not, what did you tell
them?
"Mr. Gardner, is it not true that
none of the 26 committee chair
men or members of the executive
committee of your charter move
ment as announced in the public
press three or four weeks ago have
ever publically admitted voting for
Franklin D. Roosevelt for presi-
dent of the United States in 1910?
"Mr. Gardner, is it not true that
none of the same group have ever
admitted politically having voted
for Franklin d. Roosevelt for
President Of the United States in
eff your answer to either of the
last two questions is in the mega
tive, will you give the names to the
public of each Of your 26 commit
tee chairmen and members of your
executive committee who say they
supported President Roosevelt in
1910 and in 1886 for President?