Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-02-08
ROOKvILLE. MD.
Friday hornins...."February 8. 1922.
Jones Offers New Plan In Fight
On Big Bond Issue.


Of the 3Jth utimo. writes:
Following up his announced opposition
to the proposed 100000 bond issues to
add to the present funds for erection of
modern court house and jail in Montgomery
County. Senator Eugene Jones, Of Kensine-
ton. tomorrow will submit to the court
house committee and the Montgomery
County delegation in the House concrete
plans for the construction of building at
total cost for land and Improvements of
$315,8l6. Senator Jones says he not only
has had the plans prepared, but has
secured responsible contractor who has
done much public work in the county and
who stands ready to carry out the project.
While the plans were not quite ready
to-day, it was explained. they in general
provide for the structure on the present
court house square. with slight move
ment Of Court street, the highway between
the square and the square which it is pro-
posed to purchase with one Of the proposed
bond issues. It would cut out much Of the
expensive interior trim. such as marble
stairways, and substitute therefor rein
forced concrete.
Meeting the suggestion that the square
which it is proposed to PURCHASERS needed
for widening the bad traffic lane on the
Frederick road. Senator Jones says that
he has found out that the Federal Govern
ment pays for improvement Of such road
difficulties 90 national highways running
through towns Of less than $500 popu-
lation. He argues that il the Federal
Government pays for such Improvements,
why should the expense be saddled on the
county taxpayers
In the light Of the information he has
gathered. Senator Jones says he will con-
tinue to oppose the two proposed bond
issues, in an effort to reduce the present
county tax rate Of $3.50 hundred dollars.
In a formal statement to The Star Senator
Jones said:
Much has been said relative to bond
issues in Montgomery County in the past
two months and the proper amount Of
Indebtedness the county can safely stand
with its present taxable basis Of 76.OOO,-
000 The present county tax rate is $l.3O
on each 500, which. believe, is too high.
In my opinion, the two paramount pur-
poses for which bonds should be issued are
schools and roads. The proceeds from the
sale Of bonds should be applied to the
present urgent needs in both instances
rather than for the future development
for which there is no immediate necessity.
II stand ready to support legislation to
iQuidate all obligations relative TO the
county's Indebtedness as agreed upon by
the members OF the House Of Delegates and
myself on April 7, 1928. but asst the issue
of bonds for the future shall give such
proposals very careful consideration before
lending my support and II it is possible TO
lessen the number Of bonds which will
result in a lower tax rate and not mate
rally interfere with the progress Of the
county, | shall consider it my duty to do so
This conclusion has been confirmed
after consultation with very large num-
bers Of taxpayers, both large and small. in
every section of the county. Some Of those
who oppose my proposition to reduce the
number OF county bonds were very liberal
a few years ago in their praise OF my vote
in the 1914 session OF the General Assem-
bly,. when by a vote Of ID to IS State
wide bond issue for So 200 900 advocated
by the State Roads Commission was
adopted, instead of the S7.000000 bond
issue backed by the political leaders Of the
State and City Of Baltimore, which resulted
In a saving of $4,000 Of the taxpayers
money, and did not in the least retard the
extension Of Marylands splendid road sys-
TEN. Why should not make every effort
to save our county several hundred thous-
and dollars when the opportunity presents
itself
Zone item is the court house proposition,
where there can be probable saving Of
more than 100000. There is available
S257 900 from the sale Of court house
bonds, $4,000 Jail bond funds, making a
total Of 1897, 900. plus a $4,000 jail lot
and the old jail property.
1T is now proposed to issue $50 900 Of
bonds for an extension Of the new wings
with jail on top, and a further issue OF
Si75.000 Of bonds to purchase the square
west Of the court house, which would cause
the removal Of the Presbyterian Church
and the Farmers Banking & Trust Co,
which has signed a contract for the erec-
ton Of new banking house at cost Of
$i25,OOO.
THE new bond issues, together with
those authorized by the last Legislature
would make proposed expenditure Of
$625O00. have been informed by Mr..
A. C. Warthan, Of A. G. Warthan's Sons
contractors at Kensineton, Nd. that with
a very few changes in the last proposed
plans and with practically no curtailment
Of floor space. with some change Of the
interior as to the kind Of material used,
but without altering the durability and in
keeping with the architecture, the court
house and jail can be erected for the sum
Of $3i5.Sl6.
"Mr Warthans plan proposes the acquir-
ing of small strip Of land on the west side
Of Court street. which will enlarge court
house square. giving sufficient space be-
tween the new wing and the new re-
located Court street. An Investigation Of
Mr.. Warthan's plans by the county COM
missioners and the court house building
committee. 10 my opinion, would be most
advisable.
IL have not mentioned the widening Of
Montgomery avenue from Court street to
Washington street Frederick road. which
has been hooked up with the proposition
to acquire the whole square, as regard
that as a question for the Federal authori-