Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-19
ROAD AL.[OTMENTS
WILL Be DELAYED
Prince Georges Gas Tax to
Remain Undivided Pend
ing Bond Issue.
BY GEORGE PORTER,
Staff Corresnondent or Tho Star.

UPPER MARLBORO, Md, February
19.--Although the Prince Georges Coun-
ty commissioners expected to make
their recommendations as to which
roads should receive the benefit Of the
$134000 apportioned the county from
the gas tax during March, it was stated
prior to the regular meeting today that
this matter would now be held in abey-
ance until the proposal to float $780,
600 bond issue for the immediate con-
struction of lateral roads is finally set
tied.
1t is not anticipated that the bond
measure will encounter any opposition
in the State Legislature, yet 1t was
pointed out this morning that there is
always danger of ''jams" or other I'M
forseen obstacles which delay the pas
sage Of bills.
Applications Expected.
AS the bonding proposal has met
with widespread approval, it is antici-
pated that some progressive COM
munities which, taking time by the
forelock, want to file applications for
a part of the bond issue even before it
has been authorized may send repre-
sentatives to today's meeting.
The agreement to float such bond
issue was reached at joint meeting of
the county commissioners and the
Prince Georges delegation in the Gen.
eral Assembly, last week. A proposition
of this kind had been talked of for
some time among the political leaders
of the county, and definite indication
that the Commissioners were taking the
matter seriously was seen two weeks
ago, when road-requesting delegations
were asked by George w. Waters, jr.,
AE - @%sI - ate~s
ers, how they would feel about a half
million dollar road building bond issue.
A plan which it Is believed will avoid
any need of increasing the tax rate to
pay for the bonds was also worked out
at the conference last Tuesday. Under
the plan only the interest will be paid
on the bonds during the first three
years.
Five Projects Considered.
Savings from the upkeep by the State
of the new roads, premiums on the
bonds, increased assessable basis Of the
property benefited by the new roads
and a proposed 2-cent reduction on the
road levy, to be used in financing the
bonds, all are factors which it is be-
lieved viii enable the county to start a
substantial sinking fund and begin re-
firing bonds by the end of three years
without advancing the tax rate.
In discussing the proposed issue yes
terday State Senator Lansdale G. Sas-
seer, who is drafting the bill to present
to the Legislature authorizing the bonds,
pointed out that the present bonded in
debtedness of Prince Georges County is
only 81, 245, 351 So AS the asseSSable
basis of the county is $4,000, 900, it is
felt an increase of S500,000 would still
leave the county well within conserva-
tive limit.
Just what, If any, roads the county
leaders had In mind when approving
the bond issue has not been disclosed,
but it Is known the commissioners
intend to complete the five main road
projects already started before inaugu-
rating any new ones. These five prof.
ectS are the road from Landover to
Marlboro via Oak Grove, the completion
Of River road near Bladensburg, the ex-
tension Of Central avenue from Halls
Station to the Grain Highway, the coIe-
pletion Of the Laurel-Bowie road ans
its extension to the Defense Highway
and the Surrattssilie turnpike from Sill |
yer Hill TO Oxon Hill.
Besides the road questions the only
other special subject scheduled to be
considered at todays meeting is the
presentation of the annual school bud
get recommendations of the board of
education.