Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-03-26


item appears upon the records of this office.
JOHN r. LEWIS,
SAML RIGGS. of S.,
o. W. ROBY.
H. j. HUNT, 3RD
l.. A. CHISWELL.
County Commissioners for Monthly Co.
Rockville. Md, Mar. 20, 1920.
1t is gratifying to observe the interest
in the financial affairs of Montgomery
county as shown by Mr.. James N. Barns
ley in his letter of March 9th, and the
people of Montgomey county are hopeful
that this interest will not diminish when
the Legislature adjourns and he returns to
take up the duties to which he has been
accustomed. and for which he is perhaps
better qualified.
Both at the hearing on the Treasurer's
bill at Annapolis and in Mr.. Barnsley's let
ter the principal argument in favor of the
new bill is that the present system does
not throw proper safeguards around the
handling Of the public monies The pro-
posed bill does not change the existing
law either directly or by implication In
this respect. 1t simply creates separate
Office of Treasurer. provides for his cleo
ton by the people, makes no provision for
the election Of his successor in Office. and
leaves the present law pertaining to the
duties Of the Treasurer unchanged. except
in so far as the County Treasurer is not
required by the new bill to give personal
attendance upon the duties of his Office,
thereby making the office purelya sinecure.
with no provision that he shall maintain
an Office in Rockville or that it shall not
be held in the, District Of Columbia or on
an island in the Potomac river. II those
favorable to the bill desire the Treasurer
to have the power to override the County
Commissioners, which they seem to advo-
cate. the proposed bill does not fulfill their
desire.
The present system is not an experiment.
1t has proved its worth by fourteen years
Of operation in Montgomery county to the
satisfaction of the taxpayers of the county
and all who have come in contact with its
operation. Comparison is made with the
State and Federal governments systems
and the proposed Treasurer's law. Neither
the Treasurer of the State of Maryland nor
the Treasurer of the United States is elected
by the people. Former Secretary Lane,
when resigning as United States Secretary
of the Interior made an Illuminating state
ment about the red-tape system in the
Federal departments. and advocated re-
turn to simpler method of administration
Of governmental affairs. The system Of
administering the financial affairs Of Mont
gomery county is simple and effective.
every possible safeguard being provided
by official auditor. both State and Court
and through examination at frequent in
tervals by expert accountants representing
the Bonding Surety Company.
IL 10 ttuC tuut Illuuy vi COuh-
ties of this State have separate elective
Treasurer. it is also true that the system
is not satisfactory in all those counties.
This can be amply verified by inquiry in
the counties and by reference to records Of
certain of these counties having an cleo
tive Treasurer. Comparison will show
Montgomery county's system to be immeas-
urably more effective. especially with
reference to collection of taxes. For ex.
ample. in Washington county, with $4,000
taxpayers, there are about 5000 delin-
quents in Prince Georges county. with
about 10000 taxpayers, there are 300 de-
linquents; in Montgomery county. with
over $1,000 taxpayers. there are 70 delin-
Quents.
Mr. Barnsley has selected, in order to
boost up his argument in favor Of the
Treasurer's bill. the assessment years and
added to the regular salaries the necessary
expenditures incidental to the assessment.
including therein payments made for ser
vices rendered by the assistant or assist
ants to the Supervisor of Assessments.
which is an entirely separate Office. work
ing directly under the instructions Of the
State Tax Commission and not in any
way under the County Commissioners or
the Clerk and Treasurer. have examined
the records in the Office. which any citizen
has the right to do. and find the figures
used in Mr.. Barnsley's letter do not cores
pond to the records. The errors in the
figures furnished by Mr. Barnsley may be
accounted for by the fact, as have heard.
that they were made up by the group that
is guiding the majority Of the Montgomery
Delegates in the House at a very late and
lively night session and under circum
stances when accuracy is not usually ex-
pected AS matter Of fact the clerical
expenses under the present system are
limited by law to $3.50. while under the
proposed law the limit is increased to So
500.
Mr.. Barnsley does not find it necessary
to explain why he voted in the House Of
Delegates against having the Treasurer's
bill referred to the delegation from Mont
eomery county. where it properly belonged.
being altogether local measure, and al
lowed the bill. in which he seemed to dis
play SO much interest. to be referred to and
reported from the Elections Committee Of
the House. a committee whose function is
solely to pass on matters pertaining to the
membership of the House.
W. +. RICKETTS,.
Rockville, Md.
March 20. 1920.
List or Sales.