The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-02-25
Consolidation Of Counties
Is Proposed
U. OF Md. Bulletin Would Gorup 2S
Divisions In Seven Districts

ties into seven districts is proposed
in a bulletin on Economy il County
Government, just published by the
University of Maryland's Agricultur-
al Experiment Station.
While similar proposals have been
advanced before, this is the hrst
thorough study ever made OF the
probable economic and social effects
of consolidation.
The study was conducted by
Everett c. Weitzell, a graduate as
sistant in the Department Of Agricul-
tural Economics, under the direction
of DR.. S. II. de Vault, professor Oh
agricultural economics, and Paul
Walker, associate in agricultural
economics.
The redistricting would be OF
benefit mainly to the small counties,
where high administrative costs now
make it impossible to maintain ade-
uuate services, but the entire State
would benefit indirectly, the report
indicates. Some of the larger coun-
ties, however, would find their costs
of government higher in a few de-
partments under the consolidation.
Consolidation offers relatively
more savings in the administrative
aspects than in the purely functional
activities of local government MI.
Weitzell said. His estimates OF ecoh-
omies, therefore, were based ON
studies of the commissioners, trea-
surers' and assessors offices, clerk
of court and register of wills and
law and order.
Costs to the taxpayers of maintain
ing these offices would be reduced an
average of twenty-eight per cent, he
estimated. The reductions would
vary from forty-three per cent. in the
commissioners office, to eighteen
per cent. in the law-and-order
services.
Consolidation would reduce the an
nual cost of county government by
S577.OOO, Mr.. Meitzell asserted, bas-
ing his figures on the 1935-1936
county budgets and taking into con-
sideration certain proposed changes
in the internal fiscal organization OF
Montgomery county. Total tax levies
would be reduced five per cent, or
IS cents per capita.
The redistricting, which is possible
under the Maryland Constitution by
act of the General Assembly and vote
of the county residents involved,
would consolidate:
Garrett and Allegany counties
into District /.
Washington, Frederick and Carroll
into District 2.
Montgomery and Howard into Dis
trict 8.
Baltimore and Hartford into Dis
trict 4.
Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles,
st. Mary's and Prince Georges into
District s.
Cecil, Kent Queen Anne's, Talbot
and Caroline into District g..
Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico
and Worcester in District T.
Benefits Set Forth
The report thus lists the advant-
ages of the redivision:
Consolidation would tend to place
both the services and costs of gov
eminent on a more equitable basis.
Aid the smaller and poorer coun-
ties by utilizing without unjust dis
elimination the relatively greater
wealth of the richer counties.
Eliminate many duplicating ex-
penditures.
Make possible unit large enough
and involving budget large enough
to be of efficient size.
Make possible a centralized and
authoritative governmental unit.
Increase the possibility of more
equality in assessments and taxa
ton, now needed throughout the
State.
Make possible the survival Of a
system of sound democratic local
government, namely home rule coun-