Evening star., 1941-02-11
Study Of Wafer
Problem Urged
In Montgomery
Potomac River as
Permanent Source of
Supply Suggested


gomery and Prince Georges Coun-
ties, Maryland, the District of Co.
lumbia and Arlington County in
Virginia, with a view of obtaining
a permanent water supply from the
Potomac River. was approved last
night by Montgomery Democratic
leaders after it was offered by Maj.
E. Brooke Lee, member of the House
of Delegates from the county.
Because of the vital interest in the
question by the four jurisdictions,
Mr.. Lee declared the Potomac River
as water source would be more of
permanent solution than a Sug-
gestion made last week by T Howard
Duckett, counsel to the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Mr.. Duckett proposed to seek
authorization from the Maryland
General Assembly for a So 900 900
bond issue to build filter plant and
dam at Laurel.
Maj. Lees plan for a comprehen-
sive study of the Potomac River
source was offered at a meeting in
Rockville of the Caucus Committee
of the Congress of the United Demo-
cratic Organization for Montgomery
County.
More Permanent Solution.
In the program approved last
night it was claimed that the Laurel
project would insure an adequate
supply only until 1916 and that a
more permanent solution would re-
lieve the taxpayers from constantly
facing new bond issues.
The Caucus Committee approved
another suggestion by Mr.. Lee to
re-enact a law which was repealed
in 1889 and which provided for a
permanent Montgomery County
Board of Assessments. The existing
law requires a general reassessment
every five years, Mr.. Lee explained,
and the last such property check
cost nearly $4,000.
Under the plan which would be
re- established the permanent board
would reassess one-flfth of the
county each year in addition to
listing approximately S10.000,000 in
new property values throughout the
county each year.
The caucus went on record as
favoring the lease-lend bill and
voted complete support of the Presi-
dents national defense program.
More Police Favored.
Approval was given the Police
Committee report. which called for
an increase of the county police
force to 81 men. reorganization OF
the department to provide lieu
tenant in command of each station
and a Detective Bureau commanded
by a lieutenant. Foot patrolmen for
business districts as we'll as estab-
Hshment Of State police substation
also were advocated.
The group adopted in part a report
of the School Committee. 1t ap-
proved a recommendation that ele-
mentary schools be built at -Four
Corners and Bethesda, and construc-
ton of the proposed new Richard
Montgomery High School at Rock
vile.
Recommendations for additional
classroom units and repairs we're
referred back to the School Com
mittee for further study. The prob
lem of obtaining a more adequate
water supply for the Damascus
School and a satisfactory method
of feeding the children at Richard
Montgomery Tigh School until
cafeteria can be provided ere to be
considered hy the committee.
Asked to List Needs.
The committee was asked to list
these school needs in their relative
importance for presentation to the
County Congress.
Approval was given proposal of
Maj. Lee, that the Whites Ferry
road be built with county tax funds
next summer. in that way allowing
the repeal of q $4,000 bond issue
passed by the 1899 session of the
LEGISLATURE for this purnose.
All the proposals edoptcd last
night will be presented to the
County Congress at meeting at
8 pm. tomorrow at tho Bethesda
Elementary School on Wilson lane.