Evening star., 1952-11-30
Georges
Grand Jury 10
Resume Inquiry
Report Blasts Setup
On County Schools,
Health and Liquor
By J. 1. MichoeI

row to further investigate law en-
forcement and the need for
countrywide improvements which
may lead to higher taxes.
The October panel which used
its broad powers to criticize q
fashion hitherto unknown In the
county, proclaimed at the end of
a two-week session that:
"Since some recommendation
OF former grand jurieS have been
ignored, we shall follow through
to assure that our recommends
tions are duly considered and suit
ably acted upon"
The 23-member panel, headed
by w. F. Mccormick Of Laurel,
will reassemble at the Upper Marl-
boro Courthouse.
In a 16-page interim report,
the jurors belabored the liquor
board. health department and
board of education. Less severe
slaps were aimed at several other
agencies.
The jurors topped their criticism
with the allegation that there
are some indications that in spite
Of significant and important pro-
gress in the past few years some
gambling. some corruption, some
collusion and some ineff1ciencies
still exist"
Indictments Threatened.
No indictments supporting these
attacks were returned and no in
dividuals or groups were named.
But the jurors added:
by our action, we hereby serve
notice that our investigations will
continue and If these indications
do resolve into evidence of wrong
doing we stand ready to return
indictments and to bring the male
factors to justice"
Making it clear that they are
not a "me-too" body, the jurors
said "a number Of precedents have
been set In order to refute
some of the points of contention
which have had a ridiculing and
damaging effect upon the poten-
tial accomplishments Of our grand
turies."
Among these, the jury recited,
were accusations that grand
juries are hand-picked, that they
are dominated by the States At
torney and that they compile re-
ports unduly complimentary or
unrealistic.
Cite Liquor Violations.
Specifically, the interim report
said Of the liquor board that
"after-hour sales and sales to
minors and drunks are violations
indicated in many criminal cases
considered by this grand jury.
Only one liquor license has been
revoked this year." One more per-
NIT has been Cancelled since the
jury reported.
The jury added that there are
persistent rumorS to the effect
that the brand of beverages sold
have a bearing upon the granting
Of liquor licenses" and that "there
Is some question Of intent of rep
resentatives Of distilleries and
breweries present at hearings"
OF the health department, the
Jurors remarked:
There is little semblance Of a
school health program, primarily
because of a lack of nurses. Edu-
cation on the maintenance of
health, nutrition and other sub
jectS Is non-existent. School chill
dren are subject to cursory in
spection and do not receive any,
thing approaching a medical ex-
animation"
A whack at the board Of edu-
cation was delivered in these
words:
Pupils not able to learn to
read and write are promoted SIM
ply to make room for incoming
classes. Their presence impairs
teacher efficiency and reduces the
ability Of others to learn"
Baked by Sheriff's Operations.
And in what some observers
considered an only slightly cam
ouflaged blow, the jurors said
they could not evaluate the &C
tivities of the sheriff'S Office be-
cause during his testimony the
sheriff indicated that the meth
ods used in his law-enforcement
activities would not be divulged
to any one"
Commenting on the work of the
parole and probation department,
the jurors said: =
ut will be of interest to parents
to know that automobiles in pos
session Of youngsters under 81 are
the primary factor behind current
juvenile delinquency. Lack of
parental control is the secondary
factor"
So far, no one in authority has
ventured a public reply. There is
uncertainty among lawyers and
laymen as to whether rejoinders
can be made without risking con-
tempt of court citations.
Some officials have said they
will reply, If it can be done safely,
in the event the jury does not
supply exactitude in its final re-
port.
GeneralizatiOns Hit.
Among large segment Of per-
sons responsible for county op-
erations there Is q feeling that
the grand jurors were unjustifi-
ably general and in some cases
inaccurate.
One source summed it up in this
fashion:
The grand jurys interim re-
port contains worthwhile COM
ment and suggestions but they
va "a