Evening star., 1951-08-01
Prince Georges
DeputyResiigned
Under Pressure
Sheriff Says Curtis
Was 'Curbed' Because
Of Tactics He Used

Sheriff Carlton G. Beall of
Prince Georges County said today
that Guy E. Curtis, his former
crusading deputy, resigned under
pressure" after his activities had
been curbed because of question
able tactics used in obtaining
evidence.
Sheriff Beall would not discuss
just what methods used by the
former deputy were considered OBJ
jectionable.
The one-time officer, who quit
July 2 after waging a five-month
campaign against gambling and
liquor violators, said yesterday
that he gave up his post volun-
tarily because his crusade had
been "curtailed" by Sheriff Beall
G. o. P. Rift Indicated. I
His attack, the first indication
OF a rift in the county Repub-
lican administration, was followed
by hasty conferences between de-
partment heads. The county
commissioners, after their regular
meeting yesterday. held lengthy
closed-door session but declared
afterward that the Curtis Incl
dent was not discussed.
In statement, Sheriff Beal
said he held no personal animosity
against his former deputy. He
gave three reasons for hiring Mr.
Curtis:
"Mr. Curtis was made a deput,
sheriff because I had been in.
formed that he had wide
acquaintance with the sportine
element of the country. In view
OF this and his vast knowledge
of sporting activities, I felt ht
could be instrumental in helping
me do the job the people wantec
me to do"
DenleS curtis Charge.
Since then Mr.. Curtis has sale
that there are about as many
gamblers, big and little, operating
in the county as there were al
any time in the last quarter
century. deny this categorically
and think it is evident thai
this is not the case. Furthermore
I gave Mr.. Curtis seven month.
to produce such information, but
as of now.he has failed to do so.
Declaring that cases made by
Deputy Curtis were relatively un.
important, when compared to hi.
assertions and talk" Sheriff Beal
said he questioned several of hi.
"so-called 80 cases because ht
used methods I could not approve
Regardless of what the stake.
may be in any situation" HI
added, II still believe in fair play.
Sheriff Beall said he had triec
to coordinate his law-enforce.
ment efforts with those of Chief
Richards and added that he hae
in many instances requested the
chiefs help.
BY that I mean" he explained
that I have requested the CHIEF
OF police to lend a hand by fur
nishing policeman to assist my
Office. Until June l, I had only
three paid deputies and two off,
GERS from the police department
who were assigned to my office
and the States attorneys Office.
1T can hardly be disputed that
the chief of police has more mer
at his disposal than I have"
The county police force num-
bers AZ.
Sharpest Thrust.
In the sharpest thrust of the
statement. Sheriff Beall said:
Since it appears to me that the
chief OF police and Guy Curtis
are on such friendly terms, per.
haps Mr.. Curtis may be kline
enough to give the police chief
all his information, and ther
maybe the chief will move
Sheriff Beall declined to explair
| just what was meant by the wore
move"
Apparently referring to re.
ports that Chief Richards anc
others have sought Mr.. Curtis
reinstatement, the sheriff as.
serted, sit makes little difference
to me what the chief of police
does in regard to Curtis. or what
other county officials may do upor
the insistence of Curtis and the
chief of police; Curtis is out anc
will remain out as long as I an
in"
Chief Richards refused to dis.
cuss the matter except to say thai
II do not intend tc become in.
volved in a battle of PERSONAL.
ties" He also refused to speculate
on what Sheriff BeaIl meant by
the word move"