Evening star., 1951-05-03
Chew al Trial Says
He Col TeIeyision Set
Wholesale as a Favor
By Alex R. Preston

r. Freeland Chew, a reporter
of debates in the Senate, today
explained how a friend had OBJ
tanned q television set for him at
q wholesale price as a favor.
MIR. Chew was the first witness
TO take the stand at his trial for
removal from the Arlington Coun-
ty Board. The case is being
heard In Arlington Circuit Court
before Judge John L. Ingram.
Mr.. Chew testified that his
friend, Malcolm B. Devers, presi-
dent Of the private Congressional
School, had offered to save him
about $40 on the purchase of a
television-radio- -phonograph COM
bination last June.
The board member produced a
receipt signed by Mr.. Devers for
$340.
Chassis of Set Changed.
In response to questions from
Special Prosecutor Oren r. Lewis,
Mr.. Chew said he did not know
where his friend had purchased
the set. but assumed it had come
from the Mid-Atlantic Sale Co. in
Washington because of subsequent
service calls made to his house.
Later. however, he said Mr..
Devers had told him that the set
was acquired through the Arling-
ton Music Corp. from the Service
Tire Co., a county appliance store.
In other testimony, Mr.. Chew
disclosed that the chasis of his
television set had been changed.
This resulted in a change OF a
serial number prior to the ex-
animation of his set by Common
weath's Attorney Denman T.
Rucker, who has disqualified him
self from prosecuting this case.
Charged With Malfeasance.
From the questions by Mr..
Lewis, it was established that Mr..
Rucker had serial numbers Of
three sets allegedly purchased by
the owner of the Arlington Music
Corp, Sam Lano, Washington
area pinball and slot machine dis
tributor.
Mr.. Chew. 53-year-old Demo-
crat, has been charged by grand
jury with malfeasance as men,
ber of the county governing body.
Specifically. the jury charges him
with having received the television
set as a gift from Mr.. Devers with
the intent of influencing his ac-
ton and vote.
At the outset Defense Counsel
T. Brooke Howard objected to
Mr.. Chew being called by Mr..
Lewis as the first adverse wit
ness"
Mr.. Howard said he had no OBJ
lection to the defendant taking
the stand after other witnesses
had testified, but the attorney
claimed the board member has
q right to face his accusers" be-
fore taking the stand.
Second Member on Trial.
Judge Ingram overruled this
contention. however. on the
ground that the case is being tried
under civil procedure. There are
no penalties involved.
It Is the second trial within a
week, of a County Board member.
Daniel A. Dugan, an Independent,
was found not guilty of malfeaS-
ance Saturday after a six-day
trial before Judge John L. Ingram.
In last weeks trial of Mr.. Dugan,
Mr.. Devers related how he had
negotiated for the purchase of a
television set with Lano, who. in
turn, it was testified. had pur-
chased television set from the
Service Tire Co.
Judge Ingram is trying Mr..
Chew without jury. The defen-
dant is the senior board member
in point of service, having served
continuously since 1885. He will
complete his fourth term on Dec
ember 81 Of this year.
Although active for many years
in Democratic party politics, Mr..
Chew was reelected four years
ago without official party indorse-
ment.