Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-02-28
Farmers Vote To
End Expenditures
In This County
Bond Issues Hit And County
Manager Plan Suggested;
Cantrell Speaks

point where it is necessary to" do
something about the matter" Dele
gate Joseph A. Cantrel, Fusion menu
Der of the county delegation at Annap
oils, told the sixty-third annual
Sandy Spring Farmers Convention
Saturday that rigid economy must be-
the order of the day if county govern
mental expenditures are to be cur
tailed.
Mr.. Cantrel denied that he had
made any deal with any group in the
General Assembly other than ''the
deal made with Montgomery County
voters last FALL" He said that he did
not mind trodding on toes if he could
keep his pledge to the citizens Of the
county by SO doing. He furthermore
explained that he was seeking to
bring out contructive criticism and not
make political address.
One of the most important resolu-
lions adopted by the convention was
that seeking study into the sug-
gestion that the county manager form
of government be set up in Montgom-
cry. A committee, consisting of Roger
B. Farquhar, of Sandy Spring and
Carson w. Pope, of Laytonsville, was
named to inquire into the feasibility
of the scheme.
Delegate Cantrel consciously or
otherwise took a slap at the County
Commissioners tried to cut the small
salaried persons while we are trying
to get at the big fellows" He also ex-
pressed himself as believing that the
''merit system would ultimately be-
In order for all county Offices. A.Al
The Chevy Chase legislator, ac-
dressing an audience Of about 800
farmers and friends who gathered at
Sherwood High School for the parley.
said that Montgomery's debt Of APP
proximately $4,000, 900 is larger than
the obligation of any other Maryland
county and said that the taxpayers
are confronted with situation that ,
demands the attention "of the coun- 4
TVS best minds"
His address was preceded by a'busi-
ness session in which a number Of
resolutions, including measures pro-
viding for an investigation Of the
advisability of inaugurating county
manager form of government and OPP
posing the issuance Of additional
bonds, except those for refunding
purposes, were adopted.
Talks were made by Miss Dorothy
Everson, executive secretary of the
County Welfare Board, who explained
the functions of Montgomery's char
ity agencies, and Paul Nystrom of the
University Of Maryland Extension
Service, who spoke on "Crop Rota-
ton" ss
Cantrel, who said his talk was one
of constructive criticism and not
political address, introduced figures
purporting to show that the per
capita cost Of operating the Mont
gomery County government and car
rying its bonded Indebtedness ID
higher than any other community in
the State.
The county's bonded indebtedness
of approximately $18,0OO,O00, coupled
with the Washington Suburban SAM
tary Commissions bonds for sanitary
improvement in the lower end Of
the county, amounts TO virtually "a
per cent Of the, county's assessable
basis, he said.
owe are confronted with terrible
situation that demands the attention
of the county's best minds,' Cantrel
stated. eve must get down to work
TO find some remedy" =
The speaker declared that members
Of the Montgomery County group a.
Annapolis have taken the initiative
in the drive for economies by the
introduction Of legislation that win
net the county a saving Of approx
mately $122,sOO during the next four
years through the abolition Of fun
necessary jobs" and reduction Of "tOp-
heavy" salaries. AZ "a
He declared that he had sponsored
number Of the measures and that
the entire county delegation, includ-
ing State Senator Stedman Prescott
and membSFs, of 1.-THE Lower House,
were working ~in'harmOny" for their
enactment,
| Cantrel said that he had stepped
on the toerA "a number Of politicians"
((N kued on We 81