Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-12
Removal Of Two Blocks From
Town RouSes Residents.
COMPLICATIONS EXPECTED
Councilman Saunders of District At
fected Resigns.
UNFAIR TREATMENT CLAIMED
Belief Bill Would Not Have Passed
Had Hearing Been Given.
Election May 2.

The announcement that Gov. Crothers
had signed the bill removing blocks 81
and Go from the corporation limits OF the
town of Takoma Park, Md, has caused
storm OF protests from the voters and
taxpayers of the town, who are loud in
their condemnation OF the method of pro-
cedure and the action taken. That the
mayor and town council did not receive
square DEAL seems to be the general
sentiment That, result Of the pas
sage of the bill. many legal technicalities
will arise, and that the question of con-
stitutionality will be involved seems to
be certain. According to those In au-
thority. the end is not yet
AS a result Of the enactment into law
of the bid. Councilman John H. saun-
ders of Takoma Park was legislated out
of Office. He quietly presented his resig-
nation to the town council at the regrI-
lar meeting last night. His action was
not compulsory. but was done of his own
free will. His term of Office does not ex-
pire until May, 1911.
1t is said by some that if the delegation
appointed by the council to go to Annapo-
lis, Md. and present the towns side of
the case had been accorded proper hear
ing, in the presence of the entire Mary
land delegation. the bill would not have
been passed.
First News Of Action.
The first intimation that any action
was being taken in the matter was
when a letter was received from State
Senator Blair Lee, March 0, by Town
Clerk Ben G. Davis, inclosing a copy of
bill, introduced by Cy Cummings. pro-
oho
Roma Park by cutting off from the mu-
nicipality the territory covered by
blocks "a and 65, lying south of the
Blair road and being bounded by Mis-
sissippi avenue. Saratoga street and
line of the same and Chesapeake ave-
nue. and line of the same" In that let
ter 1T was stated: I'VE are advised that
there Is no opposition from the mayor
and council, but send you this bill and
notice with the view of knowing def
nftely from you how you stand
A copy of the bill and similar letter
also was sent to Mayor w. G. Plat.
Town Clerk Davis replied TO this COM
municatfon the next day, inviting at
tention to the fact that only about one
half Of the property owners in these
blocks petitioned for this action. and
that several of those who had signed
had withdrawn their signatures He
urged Senator Lee to prevent the pro-
posed legislation.
March ID the council passed vigorous
resolutions against the proposed legiSla-
ton, and also directed Mayor Plat, Cor
poration Counsel w. w. Dyar and Town
Clerk Davis to proceed to Annapolis and
present the resolutions to the Montgom-
cry county delegation. Mr.. Davis, in addi-
ton, sent a notice to the above effect, at
the same time in letter to State Senator
Lee asking, will You do us the kindness
to arrange meeting Of the delegates and
yourself and inform me at your earliest
convenience when and where we may
meet you to comply with the instructions
of the council?' Mr.. Davis received the
sion today and tomorrow. You and Mr..
Platt better come down. (Signed) Blair
Lee"
Journey to Annapolis.
On March IS the three representatives
from the town journeyed to Annapolis
to present their side of the case. They
arrived there shortly after o'clock At
noon the house had adjourned, but the
senate was still in session. There was
no delegation to meet them, but con-
ference was held in Mr.. Lees committee
room. The house delegates had depart
ed. The matter was presented to Mr..
Lee and also a copy of the resolutions
adopted by the council. The delegation
pointed out that the bill had been pre-
pared and presented without the knowl-
edge or consent Of the municipal author
tiles, and that it had been enormously
represented to the members Of the legis-
lature from Montgomery county that the
proposed legislation was not opposed by
the mayor and council. Senator Lee was
further informed that contraction of
the territorial bounds Of the town and
the consequent reduction of it's taxable
values would be necessarily a violation
of contract with its bondholders and, to
that extent illegal, and would constitute
an injury to, and an impairment of, the
towns credit.
1t also was explained that such legisla-
ton would incur an unfortunate prece-
dent in that dissatified communities,
through legislative appeal, could disrupt
and demoralize local government which
is almost invariably able and willing to
do justice to local conditions. Copies
of the protest were left with Mr.. Lee
to distribute to the members of the house
from Montgomery county, with a request
that the bill not be presented. To this he
agreed.
Second Letter From Senator.
Nothing further was heard until April
2. when Town Clerk Davis received an
other letter from Senator Lee, stating
that: Under all the circumstances, 1t
should be consolidated as much as pos
SlpiCp III LILO 1uSuICs Wucu SuCIl COIl-
solidation can be made with reference to
the best interests of the Park. and of
the adjacent property holders, and this
consolidation. by adding new and appro-
pirate area as soon as it becomes avail
able. can be done in such wise as to
strengthen the administration of the
Park, not only from the standpoint of
urban growth, but also from the stand
| point Of cheaper city administration.
From time to time in the future you
| will find increasing pressure on the part
of the extreme portions Of the Park
| to be relieved Of town taxes, SO that at
some time in the future it will be we'll
to take up the entire proposition and
| handle it In a manner to add to the
| credit of the municipality and prevent
| continual occurrences Of such sugges-
| tons as will naturally come from the
distant portions"
This letter was received Sunday, April
3, and Monday night, April 4, the bill
passed the senate, just before adjourn
ment.
A telegram was prepared early the
next morning and sent to Gov. Crothers,
which read as follows. ssRi1I Amending