Evening star., 1908-01-10
AMENDS IT'S CHARTER
TOWN OF HYATTsv1LLE RATI-
FIEs cHANaEs.
special Correspondence of The Star.

HYATTSVILLE. January 10. 1903.
A largely attended meeting of the citi.
ze1s was held In Masonic Hall here last
night for the purpose of passing upon
certain amendments to the town charter
proposed by a committee appointed at a
citizens meeting held two weeks prior.
Mr.. William Giusta was chairman and
Mf Stephen j. Kelly secretary of the
meeting. Mr.. jackson H. Ralston, upon
whose shoulders the bulk of the work of
preparing the amendments fell. explained
the more important proposed changes in
the organic law.
The first amedment was in the boundary
lines of the corporation. The committee
recommended that the territory between
the Alexandria branch of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad and the Eastern branch
be Included In the corporate limits. and
that the tax rate in this newly acquired
section be fixed at 10 cents on the 500
for the first three years. Capt. Roger
Bells saw no reason why the tax rate
should be placed at 10 cents while the
balance of the town is paying a much
higher rate. Mr.. Ralston explained that
the low tax rate was recommended as
an inducement to the section to become a
part of the corporation aud to disarm
whatever opposition might be made.
Father j. r. Tower of st. Jerome's Church
uhu 1ui. W. W. MdiOHcy wanted 10 knOW
II the people of East Hyattsvile had Pc
titioned for the privilege Of coming into
the corporation and were of the opinion
that the committees Recommendation
should be rejected unless this could be
shown. The chairman declared he knew
nothing about any such petition.
Councilman John Fainter said it would
De unwlse to take in this part OF the
community, as 1t. would be necessary to
supply the citizens with water, and the
h0 ,,1lyc ~,Dk
much more than existing necessities re-
quire. DIR. Joseph A. Mudd, a town coun-
Gilman and one of the committee that
drafted the amendments, declared that the
question OF annexation is one that cam
not be avoided, and that the present was
as good a time as any to consider it. He
said 800 people will be added to the popu-
lation of Hyattsville by including East
Hyattsvile, and that the assessable basis
of the town will of course. be increased.
Speaking for Councilman Magruder, who
Is Ill of grip. DR.. Mudd declared that
Mr. Magruder was opposed to annexing
East Hyattsville at this time.
Amended and Adopted.
A vote was taken on the adoption of the
amendment, and it was defeated by IL to
IL, large number not voting at all. Capt
Bells moved to reconsider the vote by
which the amendment was defeated. and
proposed an amendment to the amend
ment providing that the 10-cent rate OF
taxation be omitted and that taxes in the
new part of Hyattsville be the same as
now paid in other sections. The amend
ment was approved and the. committees 8
amendment with this change was adopted.
The proposed change in the manner Of
selecting the governing body OF the town
provoked lively and prolonged discus
sion. The present charter provides for
the selection Of two cOuncilmen from each
Of three wards and the election Of the
was proposed to amend this section by
providing for the election Of f1ve men at
large to serve as councilmen, these Ave
men to select one of their number to be
mayor OF the town. Mr.. jackson H. Raj
stOn made an earnest plea In favor of the
adoption of the amendment. contending
that the interests Of the town are not d.
vided and that better results would be
obtained by the selection of a governing
body by all the citizens. Mayor Owens.
DR.. Mudd and DR.. Wells argued in favor
of the change. and Father Tower, Council.
man Fainter, Capt. Bells and others
spoke against it. The motion on the adop-
ton or rejection Of the amendment was
put and Overwhelmingly defeated. The
present method Of selecting councilmen
and mayor. therefore, stands.
The amendment reducing the town
treasurer's commission on taxes collected
from 8 to per cent was adopted, and a
provision calling for a new assessment in
June next was adopted. Under the pres
ent charter no new assessment can Ds
made until the year 1910.
Rate Of Taxation.
The proposed amendment giving the
town authorities discretionary power III
the matter of fixing the tax rate was
amended SO as to fix the limit Of taxation
at So cents on the 500. It is now 40 cents
The present town authorities were author.
ized to issue the obligation Of the towr
| in the sum OF $1,000 payable and renew
| able at such times as the authorities deem
| wise. This provision is for the purpose o.
| raising funds to meet an existing de-
| fcency Power was also given the au.
thorities to purchase meters to measure
| the flow of water, the cost thereof not t.
| exceed $1,000. The council was giveI
authority to provide for an additional ia,
| levy to meet emergencies. any ordinance
| to this effect to be submitted to vote o
the people
| Authority was granted the mayor AMI
common council to extend the water main!
| and sewers, assessing upon the abuttinf
| property the cost of such extensions
The amendments as approved by thu
| meeting will be incorporated in the bod,
| of the charter, and the mayor and common
| council was appointed a committee to SET
| that the necessary legislation carrying
| these amendments into effect iS secured