Evening star., 1948-11-12
Lee and Shaw Pledge
Support Of Slate Set Up'
By Charter Committee
By John v. Horner

Two Of Montgomery County's
most powerful Democratic lead
ers, who for years fought the
charter movement, today pledged
support of any candidates nomi-
mated for the new County Coun-
Gil by their old adversary, the
Charter Committee.
Z. Brooke Lee of Silver Spring
and his close political ally, Lacy
Shaw of Colesville, announced they
not only would back the charter
slate in the January 6 election, but
also would campaign for that ticket
when 1t Is named.
The development caught the
county by surprise.
It follows by only few days the
Montgomery Democratic State Gen.
tral Committees decision to go
along with the charter slate rather
than put up party ticket. But
Mr.. Lee and Mr.. Shaw went further
IN offering to work for the charter
nominees.
Col. Ames Comments.
This may well involve campaign
Ing for Republicans and independ-
ents, as well as Democrats, since
the committee has said it would
nominate on non-partisan basis.
The Montgomery Republican State
Central Committee has indicated an
intention of nominating a party
ticket.
Informed of the Lee-Shaw an
nouncement, Col. Norman B. Ames
Of Chevy Chase, president of the
Charter Committee, said:
That really does stop me. It's
the first I've heard of it, but I will
take it at its face value, hopeful
that 1t is q sign of cooperation
throughout the county.
This is exactly what we like for
people to say-and believe. 1t is
most interesting"
Help TO Party Seen.
Mr.. Lee said neither he nor Mr..
Shaw had communicated with any
Of the charter leaders.
I'VE both now believe that local
good government will be aided by
the election of the Charter Com
mittee's slate of candidates." Mr..
Lee said. "As Democrats, we be-
heve that the result will also clarity
the local political atmosphere and
that such a result will be helpful to
the Democratic Party.
Speaking for myself alone, I am
certainly not seeking a place in the
deliberation of the charter group.
The planning, the work and the
responsibility for the future de-
tailed course of the charter govern
ment should certainly first be placed
squarely on the shoulders of the
charter leadership. Until now they
have only been talking about gov
eminent. For the next two years al
least, they should be required to
operate a government" and even
the actions of the county manuger
win be their responsibility.
Minority Planning Futile
Mr. Lee added that he did not re-
gard the recent political attitude of
the county as congenial or con-
structive.
1T is not pleasant or worthwhile
to participate in majority and re-
sponsible government planning dur
ing such a period, and I believe the
county is still in such a period, .
he said. a
Minority governmental planning
is futile and waste OF time and
effort. ALI the minority can do is
to take a political position as we
have Just done"
Mr.. Lee and Mr. Shaw said the
Democratic organizations support
assures victory for the Charter Com
mittee candidates.
Fought Charter Movement.
Mr.. Lee and Mr.. Shaw were
aligned against the charter move
ment from the start almost 10 years
ago. They led a successful opposi-
ton in the 1914 referendum.
The voters finally adopted the
charter proposal by a majority Of
$500 on November 2.
Mr.. Shaw was opposed to it until
the end. Mr.. Lee is reported to have
stated during the last campaign
that it would be better to approve
HAI n