Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-11-17
Montgomery County Confnunity
Conference.

rIuay, November 10th.
A program vitality interesting to every
cltizen of the county had been arranged
by the Council of the Conference, con-
sistlne OF one representive from each of
the following organizations The Mont
somery County Pomona Grange. The Fed
Grafton of Women's Clubs, The Farmers
Convention, The Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union, The Just Government
League. The Home and School Associa-
tons. The Medical Society. and The Equal
Suffrage Association.
The morning session was preceded by a
meeting of the Council of the Conference,
during which routine business was trans
acted and officers of the conference for
the ensuing year were elected as follows
President. DR.. John L. Lewis, Bethesda /;
vice-president. Mr.. E. E. Stevens, Chevy
Chase; secretary treasurer, Mrs. L. W. Call,
Garrett Park.
At II o'clock the session of the confer
ence was formally opened with the read
ing Of short reports by representatives of
each of the organizations affiliated with the
conference. These reports proved to be of
great interest to the members Of the con-
ference. and demonstrated that the oreani-
cation. through its constituent member
ship. is doing valuable work for the county.
Mrs. George Chandler, Forest Glen, re-
ported for the Federation of Womens
Clubs; Mr.. E. E. Stevens, Chevy Chase, for
the Federation Of Home and School Asso-
Citations; Mrs. H. J.. Finley. for the Social
Service League; Mrs. j. Ross Thompson,
Garrett Park. for the Just Government
League; Mr.. Columbus Brashears, Bur-
louisville. for the Montgomery County Po-
mona Grange; DR.. John L. Lewis. Bethesda,
for the Montgomery County Medical So
ciety; Mrs. F. T. Chapman, Kensineton.
for Montgomery County W. C. T. u.
These reports were discussed in open
session and paved the way for resolutions
adopted by the conference later In the |
session. The reports will be published |
later.
Following the reports of the affiliated |
organizations, Mr.. VIM. H. Davenport, rep
resentine the Alliance of Charitable and |
Social Agencies. delivered an address out
lining the scope, plans and objects of the |
alliance. This organization. he declared.
has for its main object the consolidation
of the various isolated independent char
table and social agencies, existing in the |
State, in order to avoid duplication of
effort and to furnish skilled direction and |
management for the work Of caring for the
defective and dependent classes in the
State. By the establishment of State
wide organization Of such character. il is
hoped to secure a more economical and
more efficient administration of funds de-
voted to social service. Such federation
would cooperate with other agencies. such
as the grange, the churches. the school
board. the probation officers. women clubs,
etc.
Members Of the Montgomery County
Community Conference pointed out that
such federation would embody princi-
pie similar to that upon which this con-
ference is organized In this way the
Community Conference may point the way
to much larger accomplishments than per-
tain merely to county development
At the conclusion of Mr.. Davenports
address, there was a free discussion of
various phases Of his subject. especially
of medical inspection of schools and social
service work.
A resolution was offered and adopted in
dorsing medical inspection in county schools
and pledeine support of the conference to
to the adoption of such a policy. The
conference then adjourned for luncheon.
delivered an address on Home Rule for
the County" He pointed out that. under
the existing system. legislation for the
county. even as to petty details. is in the
hands of the State Legislature. Such a
practice leads to many evils. The time of
the legislature is taken up with trifling |
matters; many opportunities are thus Of
fered for jobbing and los-rolline among
members of the legislature and not enough |
time is left to the legislature for business |
of Statewide Importance
In 1915 an amendment was submitted |
to the people of the State providing for |
Home Rule in the counties and was adopt
ed by large majority. Under the terms
of this amendment the counties and Bal
timore city were each authorized to elect |
Charter Boards. of five members in the
counties and eleven in Baltimore city. !
whose duty il would be to draft charters
for the counties and Baltimore city. to be |
submitted for adoption to popular vote in
the several counties and Baltimore city
Such charters were to authorize coun-
Gil for each county. which should act as
the legislative and administrative body |
for the county. the legislature being de-
prived Of the right to pass acts Of local
character
Unfortunately, the amendment required
that the next legislature after its adoption
Chat of 1879 should pass an act prescrib-
ing the powers to be exercised by the
county and to fix the limits Of the duties
of the County Councils The legislature
failed to pass such an act If, therefore.
the people desire to secure the benefits Of
county regulation of local affairs, it is i'm
perative that they organize TO impress
upon the next legislature the necessity OF
passing the act called for by the amend
ment.
Mr.. Ralston pointed out that Home Rule
would do much to correct the evils inhe-
rent in our present cumbersome and ex-
pensive form Of county government.
In the discussion following this address.
the proposition Of abolishine the Orphans
Court. REGISTER Of Wills and Grand juries.