The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-14
All Water, Sewerage, and Drain.
age Systems Taken Out Of
Hands Of Municipalities.
NEW CORPORATION CREATED
Takoma Park, Kensington, For
est Glen, Mt. Rainier, and
HyattsviIIe Affected.

All existing and contemplated water,
sewerage, and drainage systems in
Maryland towns adjacent to the Dis
trict of Columbia are taken out OF the
hands of the different municipalities
and placed in the charge Of a commits
SION by a bill now pending in the Mary
land legislature.
An immediate effect of the bill is to
halt temporarily the plans for the
building OF Takoma Parks new $500. 600
gallon reservoir and settling basin. The
council OF the town already has called
a special election to authorize a $4,000
bond issue for the purpose.
The commission is to be known as the
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commits
sion. 1t will consist OF three members,
one to be appointed by the county COM
missioners OF Montgomery county, one
by tho commissioners of Prince George
county. and the third by the governor
of Maryland.
The area. which will be in charge of
the commission. is created as a special
corporation by the bill. 1t extends as
far as Bradley Hills, Garrett Park.
Edgewood. Wheaton. and Burnt Mills.
IN Montgomery county. and Berwyn,
Brapchville. and Lanham. In Prince
George county.
The municipal water and sewerage
systems of Takoma Park, Kensington,
Forest Glen, Mt. Rainier, ana Hyatts-
vile are we'll within the territory, and
II the bill passes will be in the sole
charge of the commission.
The commission Is constituted q body
corporate with power to sue and be
sued and to do any and all corporate
acts to carry out the provisions OF the
legislation.
Power to condemn land within. or
without the area. TO cor struct water,
sewerage, and drainage systems, and
To take over, collect water rents and
operate oil existing systems Is spe-
cihcally conferred.
Existing water and sewerage systems
will be taken over by purchase BY the
commission. and the commission will
determine the terms under which present
systems wiz connect with the systems
to be created by the commission. Au-
thority also Is given to compel proper
ties to connect with the systems and
70 prornulsate plumbing rules and reg
ulatioDs.
The area in the Washington suburban
sanitary district is to be divided by
the commission into sewer districts,
ana the question of constructing sys-
TENS IN each one Is to be referred to
the qualified voters OF each district. !,
r Would Issue Bonds.
Where the vote is favorable, funds
are to be provided by the issuance of
Ponds by the county commits sioncrs of
missioners are required 10 issue such
bonds upon the request of the cor1nis-
sion.
In Takome Park this will have the
erect OF DISTINGUISHING all resident
property owners who do not vote in
Maryland, qnd allowing voters In the
state who do rot Cwn property to par
ticipate in the election
Inc commission also Is authorized To
enter into agreements with the District
OF Columbia authorities to use the sew
ers OF the District of Columbia. The
consent OF Congress will be required for
this action.
Water charges are to be collected ny
the commission. and are to be n mrs,
Den upon property in the area COW
An initial bond issue not to exceed
$4,000 In each sounty is authorized
without a referendum vote.
In cases where existing systems are
taken over by the commission AL out
starding bonds are to be assumed by It.
Board Must o. X. All Projects.
The construction Of any additional
water. sewerage, CT drainage systems
without the written consent OF the ccm.
mission. Is prohibited.
In view of the radical changes made
BY the bill, action on Iakomp rark,'
new reservoir and settling basin viii
have to be deferred, as II Is not certain
that the commission, II created, viii ap
prove the plans.
j. g. Gorsuch, resident engineer OF tn,
Maryland State board of health a
fayetteville, stated that the commission
* created, first will give attention to thu
construction of water system "
Prince George county, where II Is urg
entity needed.
The bill was introduced by Delegate
I.lamord OF Prince George county i
is now being considered by the hygien
committee OF the Maryland House o
Delegates. DIR. John Gardner and Dole
Vnte Van Horn are tle members OF tn
committee from Montgomery and Vrinc
George counties. res Oectlvcly.