Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-03-07

I
payers.
Each year Montgomery county adds tc
her taxable basis in ever increasing
amounts. The average increase through
out the past ten years has been to the
extent of nearly ten million dollars an
nually. Unless radical changes occur the
increase will soon be in a greater amount
annually. By far the greater part, in fact
over 30 per cent Of this increase comes
from those sections of the county near the
District Of Columbia.
While 1t Is true that the requirements
Of the now thickly settled sections of the
county are many and add to the problems
Of the county government. it is also true
that the county generally benefits greatly
from the additions to the basis thus &C.
quired, and ii Is possible that through this
source and through the elimination of the
appropriations made possible through re-
cent legislative enactment. such as fewer
elections particularly. that the more i'm
portant appropriations now being so strong
ly urged. may be met through the additional
issue Of bonds distributed over a series Of
years without increasing the tax rate or
adding to the individual taxes now being
paid.
AS an argument in favor Of additional
bonds it can. with emphasis, be stated that
Montgomery county has obtained value
received for her former issues Of bonds.
Representing her outstanding school bonds.
$2O5.OOO. there are school buildings, hav-
ine a replacement valuation Of about
$4,000 on which is carried insurance
Of over 100000.
Representing her outstanding road bonds,
district and county wide. of $628,OOO.
there stand In completed roads, splendidly
maintained, an estimated replacement
value Of over $4,000. 900. roads, many of
which are part Of the great road system
Of Maryland. Of which we are justly proud,
and which are the envy and admiration Of
our whole country.
Compared with the bonded Indebtedness
OF other counties Of the State, our county
again appears to advantage. With less
than per cent of its taxable basis covered
by general county bonds, other counties
range as high as 4 i-2 per cent, and from
the best records obtainable only one coun.
ty approaches Montgomery in its low per-
centage Of bonded indebtedness, this beine
one Of the poorer counties of the State
with taxable basis Of only $l6,00O,OOO
Thus with Its showing Of the lowest
county tax rate in the State. the lowest
per cent Of bonded Indebtedness of the
State. the great showing in school build.
ines and equipment. the mileage of i'm.
proved roads and its system of police
protection without additional taxation
brought about through recent legislative
enactment, the citizens of the county have
cause to be proud Of its standing and sov-
eminent.
The sale Of bonds by county Of sound
financial standing is readily effected and
the price paid for them greater than tina,
OF badly financed community. When the
proposed sale is placed properly before
possible purchasers. investigation is al
once made by them of the financial stand.
ing. OF a sale Of bonds made by this
county not long ago. the Bond Buyer" oil
New York City. periodical which claims
to be an authority on municipal bonds,
took occasion to comment editorially and
in most complimentary terms Of the meth
DDS used by the county in marketing its
bonds and also its sound financial condition.
To my mind. In this connection. it is not
desirable to issue long term bonds. The
amount Of interest Is greater. and as con-
sequence the amount Of taxes ultimately
paid is greater. Conditions are changing
so rapidly that ii may be unwise and I'M
fair to tax our children and our grand
children for roads when later they may be
using flying machines.
Considering these facts. just stated, 1t
would appear that Montgomery county can
afford at this time. and should provide for
development. through the issue Of addi-
tional bonds. IL this method appears to be
less onerousin its burden on the taxpayers,
and without increase in the rate or the
amount Of individual taxes now being
paid. 1t should not be forgotten that those
sections Of Montgomery county which are
in most rapid process Of development
should be encouraged by being provided
with facilities for good government to
which they are entitled. Among the many
changes which have occurred in this cOun-
ty during the past few years. II should be
noted that those sections Of Montgomery
county which lie adjacent to the District
Of Columbia are becoming more and more
interested In the affairs OF Montgomery
county, are becoming more identified with
its government and through this develop
ment are acquiring local community inter-
est which can not be separated from Mont
gomery county.
-Four or FIVE years ago communities like
Takoma Park. Silver Spring. Bethesda and
AiC bCNCtui oCSetOuo VI NuCNy OuhbC WCTc
sending their children to the schools in the
District Of Columbia. and the residents OF
these communities had all their interests
in the District Of Columbia to the exclu.
sion Of Montgomery county. Now those
communities have so developed that there
are being created interests and industries
locally which require the continued pres
ence in the community Of many Of the
male residents. The District Of Columbia
has found that Its schools are becoming
overcrowded, and that they can not take
care Of the school children Of Montgomery
county without making very substantial
charge in each individual case. Is 1t there
fore fair that Montgomery county should
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