Evening star., 1949-08-09
Council Delays
Action on Move
To Gust 0rme
Absence of Members
Causes Postponement;
GroupsAid PoIieeChief
BULLETIN


The Montg mery County
Council announced shortly be-
fore noon that it will defer act
ing on the suspension of Police
Chief Charles M. Orme. The
action, scheduled at a public
meeting at 2 pm, was post
poned because of the absence of
Council President Frederic P.
Lee and Councilman j. Douglas
Bradshaw and Mrs Dorothy
Himstead. A new date for act
ing on the issue was expected to
be announced at this afternoons
session.
Immediate reinstatement of
Montgomery County Police Chief
Charles M. Orme and recall of
an order setting up one-man oper-
alton of county police cars was
asked last night by the Allied
Civic Group of Silver Spring. The
Montgomery County Post, Vet
erans of Foreign Wars, also pro-
tested the chiefs suspension.
This brought to five the num-
Der of similar requests as the
County Council prepared to meet
this afternoon to consider the
SUSPENSION of the chief by County
Manager Irving G. McNayr.
Other requests have come from
the Montgomery County Press As
sociation, the Rockville Town
Council and the Montgomery
County Policemens Association.
The Allied Civic Group met in
special session to consider the
action. The organization, made
up of delegates from 20 citizens
associations, also registered its
opposition to restriction Of
county officer in the free express
sion of his opinion concerning
matters within his official juris-
diction."
Criticized Patrol System.
Mr.. Orme was suspended Fri
day by Mr.. McNayr after the
police chief publically criticized a
one-man patrol car system ord
cred by Mr.. McNayr with approx
al of the County Council.
The county manager said Mr..
Orme's criticism Of the plan was
insubordination and that he
would ask the council to remove
the chief permanently at today's
meeting in the Rockville Court
house.
Robert T. Shure. president of
the Allied Civic Group. said last
night he and the two other men,
bers of the groups executive
council had made an extensive
investigation" into Mr.. McNayr's
suspension of Chief Orme.
In two resolutions embodying
the results of this research" the
group deplored Mr.. Orme's sus-
pension and said it seriously
weakened" operation of the Po-
lice Department..
Finds Police Hampered.
The group called for fair and
impartial public investigation" OF
Mr.. McNayr's charges against the
police chief and said the action OF
the county manager had ham
pered to the point of inadequacy"
the Police DEPARTMENTS enforce
ment activities. r..
The resolutions also said the
County Councils action in estab-
fishing the one-man patrol cars
was taken" without direct consul
tation" with Mr.. Orme but upon
recommendation of County Mana
ger McNayr." Chief Orme '"or-
dered and enforced" complete
operation of the plan, the group
added.
Members of the group were not
in complete agreement on the two
resolutions, presented by the
executive council. Ralph D. Boyd.
former president of the group and
an opponent of the action. said:
Objects to Interference.
1--WE sheuld not attempt to par
ticipate in administrative func-
tions of our duly elected council.
We should not sanction the ut
terances of every county employe.
Every one in the county will dash
down here and say. I'm fired, what
are you going to do about it?'"
c. B. Douglas, a member of the
Sligo Avenue Citizens Association.
told the group its action might
have the effect of breaking down
our form of government" But
he said he opposed the one-man
patrol plan.
Some day one policeman is 60
ing to be thrown out Of a place
and citizen will get hurt" he
added.
The Executive Committee of
vFW Post No. 1858, which en-
braces the upper county area. said
Mr.. McNayr's suspension order
was without just cause" and
unanimously expressed disap-
proval of what it termed "the des-
potic action of the county man
ager."
The veterans approved the
"soundness and gentility" of Mr..
Orme's statement to the press
about one-man police cars and
asserted they believed Mr.. Nc
Nayr's motive was "his resentment
that a department head should
have the courage to question the
soundness of the county mana
gers judgment"
Chief Orme has expressed con-
fidence that he will be "vindi-
Gated" at today's council meeting.
Inspector James McAuliffe has
been acting chief since Mr.. Orme
was suspended Friday.
Georgia Governors Wife
Sends Tuck Red GuIIuses
BY the Assoeiotsd Press
RICHMOND, Va, Aug. 9.-Gov.
g