Evening star., 1943-01-16
Nonpdrtisdn'
Ballot Backed
ForCharter
J Civic Units Send
Representatives to
First Hearing

Election of a nine-member County
Council on non-partisan ballot,
appointment of a county admins
traitor and establishment of a merit
system for county employees are
among the proposals being studied
today by the Montgomery County
Charter Board following its first
public hearing last night at the
Jesup Blair Community House in
Silver Spring.
More than so persons, including
representatives OF. seven organiza-
tions, attended the meeting.
Organizations represented in
cluded the Montgomery County
Civic Federation; Citizens Associa-
ton of Section 4, Chevy Chase
Community League of Takoma Park,
Greater Kensington Civic League,
Adult Forum Sunday School Glass
of the Silver Spring Methodist
Church. Sligo -Branview Community
Association and the County Asso-
citation of Volunteer Firemen.
Groups Favor Plan.
While all the groups favored a
non-partisan ballot, John S. Lar
combe, jr, of Gaithersburg, who said
he appeared on his own behalf,
urged that the two-party system be
retained.
Mr.. Larcombe also proposed that
the nine council members should
be elected by districts, instead of at
large, as recommended by the vari-
Gus civic groups, and that there
should be not more than two candi-
dates from each district.
Another difference existed between
Joseph B. Matre, president of the
civic federation, and other repre-
sentatives of the federation, over
the question whether council mem
bers should be paid.
Mr.. Matre said that he, PERSONAL
ly, favored a salary of $50 a month,
although the federation has gone
on record as favoring a non-paid
council.
Advantages Explained.
All groups agreed that the coun-
Gil should be primarily legislative
body and its members should be
nominated by petition rather than
by political parties.
Walter H. McClenon, who repre-
sented both the civic federation and
the Community League of Takoma
Park explained that under a nom
partisan ballot, Federal employees
would be eligible to hold Office. They
would not be able to become can
didates for Office on a party ticket,
he added.
In discussing Mr.. Larcombe's pro-
posal for election of council men,
bers by districts, Mr.. McLenon de-
clared that such provision is of
doubtful censtitutionality' and
might jeopardize approval of the
entire charter.
Washington I. Cleveland, who
represented the Kensington League
recommended that there be II
councilmen when the population OF
the county should exceed 135 900.
While no definite term of Office
was recommended for members of
the council, it was suggested that
they be elected for staggered terms
of two and four years. Speakers
also called for inclusion of a pro-
vision for a referendum, which
would act as a check on the "abso-
lutte" power of the county council.
Agree on Examination.
The proposed county administra-
tor would be appointed by the coun-
Gil from list of eligibles standing
highest In a competitive examina-
ton and would hold Office at the
pleasure of the council, it was
agreed by practically all of the
groups. H. P. Morris, representing
the adult forum, recommended
however, that he be removable by
two-thirds vote of the council.
1t also was proposed that the
merit system be administered by a
three-member Civil Service Com
mission elected by non-partisan
ballot.
H. S. Yohe, who represented the
section 4, civic group, urged the
creation of a county controller, to
be appointed through a competitive
examination for a 10-year term at
an annual salary of $4,000.
The recommendations of the
County Association of Volunteer
Ftremen, as presented by Henry E.
Marschalk, secretary, included
establishment of a central fire alarm
system for the suburban area. It
would be supported by taxation
from the area affected and include
a mutual assistance arrangement
with rural departments and passage
of appropriate laws to enable proper
enforcement of fire safety regula-
tions.
The Charter Board will hold a
second public hearing at 8 pm.
Monday at the Bethesda Chevy
Recreation Center on Norwood drive
in Bethesda.