Evening star., 1937-03-04
CANTREL PREPARES.
MERIT SYSTEM BILL
Would Open Appointive Posi-
tions in Montgomery to
Competitive Test.
BY JACK ALLEN,
Stan Correspondent OF The Star.


ANNAPOLIS, March 4.-The pos
sibility of Montgomery Countys en-
ployes being placed under rigid
merit system comparable to the claS-
sified service of the State was FORE
seen in legislative halls today.
Delegate Joseph A. Cantrel Is pre-
pairing a bill which would open all
appointive positions in the county gov
eminent to competitive, examinations
and then put the successful applicants
under the new plan.
Senator Stedman Prescott, who vir-
tually controls all Montgomery legis-
lation under the "home rule" policy
of the Upper House. declared he "fa-
vors the proposal in principal" and
would back it If the State civil service
law can be frightened. Ito prevent
favoritism."
Cantrells bill would embody all the
features of the merit plan advocated
by the Montgomery County Civic Fed
Grafton, whose representatives came
here last night to discuss their legis-
lative program with Montgomery
County members of the State As
sembly.
He informed the visitors his bill has
been in the process of preparation for
several days and might be ready for
introduction by today. 1t would cover
every job in the county except police
and school teachers, who already are
under a merit plan, and elective Of
fcers.
Credits for Experience.
The measure would allow present
employees credits for experience. One
point would be added to the examina-
ton grades of incumbents for each
year of experience. The total credit
received in this fashion, however.
would not exceed five points.
The hearing was executive, but Col.
o. P. M. Brown, chairman Of the fed
eration's Legislative and Legal Action
Committee, later announced none Of
the legislators seems opposed to the
merit plan, while they likewise ap-
peared agreeable to providing for the
appointment of a county controller as
proposed by the CIVIC DoQy.
Col Brown, who discussed nearly a
score of proposals with the lawmakers,
said they were noncommittal on the
federation's stand against liberaliza-
ton of county liquor laws, while they
refused to abolish the Liquor Control
Board or the post of supervisor OF
school property and also declined to
amend the home rule law to allow
q longer period of time in which to
obtain supporters of petition for a
charter form of government.
Bond Issue Planned.
Brown said the Assembly members
already have introduced the bill for
police salary raises and are preparing
another to enable the county COM
missioners to sell S723,000 in bonds
for development of the school con-
struction program introduced by the
federation.
The spokesman declared it appeared
the federation's efforts in favor OF
refunding so per cent of county ma
turtles during the next year would
Wan
$693,000 obligations in their entirety
has been introduced and likely will
pass.
On all the other points Of the pro-
gram, however, the legislators agreed
to follow the civic organizations rec
concentrations. These include:
Legislation to authorize remaining
of streets and renumbering of houses
to eliminate Implications in the sub
urban area of the county.
Repeal of the States law-making
declaration of intentions pre-
requisite to voting.
Transfer of appeals from decisions
of the Liquor Control Board from the
State License Commission to the
Montgomery County commissioners.
Statewide reassessment of real
property in 1887. 1t would become
effective July l, 1898.
Equalization of assessments by
county commissioners.