Evening star., 1941-06-13
$50 Prince Georges
Homes 10 Lose Fire
Protection June 80
Tokomu Park (Md.)
Department Refuses
Further Service

More than $50 homes In the Prince
Georges County area adjacent to
Takoma Park, Md, are to be. cut OF
from the towns fire protection serv-
ice after June 80, the Takoma Park
Volunteer Fire Department has an
nounced.
Notices of the new policy have
been distributed by hand by the
firemen in the communities of Pine
crest, New Hampshire Nolls and
Hampshire Hills, which contain
some new housing projects.
The Takoma Park flremen an
nounced the policy after they had
been refused membership in the
Prince Georges County Volunteer
Firemen's Association and because
the town department does not re-
ceive compensation from Prince
Georges County for protection now
extended areas adjacent to Takoma
Park. 81
The nearest fire companies m the
county are Brentwood. MoNnt
Rainier and Hyattsville. The near
est of the three is more than four
times as far from the area in dispute
than the Takoma Park station
which is less than a mile away.
Neglect Charged.
Marion r. Malone, 63l7 Eastern
avenue in Pinecrest. declared the
area between New Hampshire ave-
nue. extended, Takoma Park. Eastern
avenue and Ray road has been
neglected by Prince Georges County
officials and has been forced "to live
as sort of poor relative of Takoma
Park"
Members of the Takoma Park Fire
Department said they would refuse
to accept calls from Prince Georges
County unless county department
has first responded and needs assist
ance in quelling blaze.
I'm the past years we have rem
dered fire protection to the residents
of Prince Georges County outside
the Takoma Park town limits, but,
never having received any financial
assistance from the Prince Georges
County commissioners from taxes
collected for this purpose. We feel in
fairness to the town of Takoma Park
and Montgomery County taxpayers,
who are supporting our department.
that we are forced to discontinue
this service" the letter distributed
to householders declared.
Montgomery County pays the de-
partment $500 annually. In addi-
ton to this sum, the Maryland Cen
eral Assembly, at its last SESSION,
provided for sliding scale pay
arrangement from the town. The
department will receive 10 cents of
each 500 valuation on real property
after July /, to be taken from the
general town revenues and not to be
provided by special tax. Later the
amount will be raised to Is cents.
More Men Recommended.
The department has recently re-
ceived recommendations from the
Middle Department Rating Associ-
alton calling for an increase to six
paid men; four to be on duty in the
daytime and two at night. In ad-
dition, the association calls for an
extensive program of Improvements
such as additional building facilities
and acquisition of large quantities
of equipment.
Andrew Gasch, president of the
Prince Georges County Volunteer
Firemen's Association, said the Ia
koma Park association had been re-
fused membership because it is not
within the county limits.
Il don't think that any company
banded together to protect life and
property should refuse any emer-
gency calls" Mr. Gasch said.
He declared that Prince Georges
County departments are called upon
to protect areas in other counties
and do not receive compensation
from outside areas for such service.