Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-02-03


Federal, State or County posi-
lions.
Reading from a prepared state
ment, Colonel Lee pointed to the
residence in the County of cap
able Federal administrators and
declared:
ITO ignore this basic fact and
unusual asset is both a govern
mental and political folly. Many
of us are not going to sit quietly
by while. major mistakes in gov
eminent are about to be made or
have just been made by a major
ity of the Democratic County
Council without voicing a re-
spectful objection and asking for
a better answer.
"Such silence is what took
place in the Republican party
throughout the last four years
and the result sank their entire
County ticket. That at least
is not going to happen in and to
the Democratic party in this
County durin G the next four
four years. We are not calling
any names or Directing to the
official act of anyone here today.
We are simply standing openly
and, we hope effectively, for the
changes. promised the people of
the County in the last campaign"
Reading of the resolution and
statement provided those present
with a chance to formulate re-
actions and they were not slow
in coming.
Councilman J. Grahame Walk
er took the floor first to observe
that the Council would listen to
the advise of anyone on the ap-
pointment of County Manager
but that "this resolution has
coercive implication" that would
make it difficult" for the Coun-
Gil to operate if it passed.
Another delegate rose to pro-
pose a "vote of confidence" in the
Council. Colonel Lee said he
would be glad to express conf
dence in the Council.
Nathaniel Ely then observed
that both resolutions had INERT"
but that the Clogg resolution
"does somewhat express CO.
ercion." He proposed and Mr..
Clegg accepted an amendment to
the resolution asking the Council
to "give most serious considera-
ton" to the appointment of a
local man as Manager.
Mitch Cooper next gave it as
his opinion that the Clogg reso-
hutton was in effect a vote of lack
of confidence in the Council.
Councilman Robert Snure fol-
lowed by terming the measure a
"direct slap in the face by the
very party that put us in" He
asked for the Overwhelming"
defeat of the resolution.
At this point, Blair Lee in the
role of peacemaker observed that
all present had confidence in the
Council although many" want
appointment of a local man. He
then proposed that all resolu-
tons be tabled. That motion car
ried by a six-vote margin.
The matter of the "secret"
on the liquor question
was brought up in the face of a
question which was referred to
Blair Lee for answer.
In the course of his answer,
Mr.. Lee observed that during the
election candidates were asked
scores of questions, but none
touching on liquor. "But after
the election there was snowfall
of bills to relax the County's IL
quor control" he said.
Mr.. Lee said these proposals
fell into three categories:
l. To grant pouring licenses"
for hard liquor to hotels and
'Hhigh class" restaurants.
2. To grant hard liquor per-
mits to veterans and fraternal
groups.
3. To grant them to tavern
owners who have been selling
beer for at least Is years.
He recalled his promise in a
Dec. 6 public meeting to arrange
a public hearing in the County
eff any change was introduced"
at Annapolis and pointed out
that none has been introduced.
& Lee then said that on Jan. 13
the Licensed Beverage Dealers
of the County met with the Coun-
ty delegation in Annapolis with
proposed control legislation.
After this, he said, the delega-
ton Thought it had better check
with the State Committee and
the County Council" on the sub
iect When the three groups met,
the result was a 1873 vote against
the introduction of "any" liquor
bill.
He said the delegation has re.
ceived $50 communications "from
tavern patrons" favoring relaxa-
ton of the present law and