Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-15
Lee Out 10 Hold
A1|Lots Despite
County Tax Sale
Auction Of Properties
Illegal Democratic
Leader Declares

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Z. Brooke Lee, Montgomery
County Democratic leader, in
tends to keep possession of all
lots he claimed are owned by
corporations of which he is pres
ident, despite the sale by the
county of four of the lots to other
persons.
He made this clear yesterday
after redeeming % of 80 lots auc-
toned by County Attorney David
Macdonald for back taxes.
No bids were received for 81
other lots and Mr.. Macdonald
said they would be sold at an
other auction in the near future.
The county realized $24,2 0O.16
from the sale, S18,463.70 of it be-
Ing Mr.. Lees share. He made q
down payment of $3,463 after Mr..
Macdonald had refused to accept
the total amount before the auc-
ton started.
Contends Sales Illegal.
Earlier, Mr.. Lee distributed
copies of letters addressed to the
County Council in which he con-
, tended the sales of his lots was
illegal.
I'VE herewith advise you
that we have been in continuous
possession of each of these
lots for years past, and that any
rights of entry which Montgomery
County may once have possessed
are now barred by law.
I'VE further are of the opinion
that under the law, Montgomery
County does not now possess any
enforcible tax lien, interest or
ownership in the lots"
Mr.. Lee said he has made re-
peated efforts since last January
to pay the taxes which the county
claims are delinquent but that his
offers have been rejected.
To Defend All Rights.
Should any other bidder be-
come the purchaser of our prop
critics at this auction SALE" he as
serted, I'VE will defend all other
rights of law which flow to us
against said bidder. We will fur
Their initiate appropriate legal &C
ton to hold the county respon-
sible :. for the damages and loss
that accrue to us incident to this
claim for taxes -
During the sale, Mr.. Lee warned
each of four persons bidding
against him that he would bring
action against any purchaser to
defend his title to the properties.
And, after the four bought the
lot, each was informed by Mr..
Lee, You have bought yourself
q lawsuit"
Four Purchasers.
The four purchasers are A. j..
Marx. 8O03 Parkcrest drive, Sill
yer Spring, who bid $1,120; Mil
burn L. Murphy, 10 Sunnyside
road, Silver Spring. s1,oo5; Mi
chael Abrams, 8002 Parkcrest
drive, S1,l75, and Melvin Payne,
lis Hilltop road, Silver Spring,
1851.
After Mr.. Lee made his state
ment, several persons of approx
imately rs attending the auction
in the Rockville Courthouse asked
Mr.. Macdonald if the county would
guarantee titles to properties sold.
The county attorney said the
county docs not represent that
it is giving a good title. 1t will
merely give a deed to the buyer
which conveys all rights. inter-
ests and title to the property in
question" Asked whether the
county would return the purchase
money if subsequent court action
vests title in the original owner.
he replied no money would be re-
turned.
Asks Sale Be Postponed.
Roscoe Walter, Rockville attor-
ney, then urged Mr.. Macdonald to
postpone the sale 80 people
would know what they are buying
and whether the whole thing is
legal" Mr.. Macdonald refused
and Mr.. Walter left the room in
protest.
The only spirited bidding &C.
Cured when the price of one lot
was raised from $131.62, which
covered back taxes. interest and
penalties, to $575. The purchaser
was James S. Lawson, 5000 Ia
koma avenue. Takoma Park, who
said the lot adjoined his property.
After the auction. Mr.. Lee told
reporters the county had ''humil-
lated" him by forcing him to re-
deem property which is legally
his.
Il object to having property
placed in jeopardy as result of
w-grade and vindictive per-
Torrance on the part of county
officials" he declared.
Paid million" In Taxes.
He said he has paid the county
nearly 100000 in property
taxes during the last 80 years and
that this is the first time he has
been unable to pay back taxes on
any of his properties without 60
ing through a public auction.
His remarks brought a rejoinder
from Mr.. Macdonald, that IF
this sale has induced Mr.. Lee and
other property owners to come
in and pay their taxes, we con-
slider the sale we'll worthwhile.