Evening star., 1944-03-01
Lasting Project Urged
In Prince Georges
To Curb Delinquency
County Commissioners
Also Study Proposed
Teacher SoIory Scale

"A proposal 1or establishment OF a
ful-time recreation program In
Prince Georges County as a move
to curb juvenile delinquency was be-
ing considered today by the county
commissioners.
The board also has before it a re-
quest by DR.. L. T. Hopkins, presi-
dent of the County Council of Par
|ent-Teacher Associations, urging ap-
proval of the new teacher salary
schedule as contained in the 1944-5
school budget.
More than 20 county residents,
representing civic, fraternal and
welfare organizations, appeared be-
fore the commissioners at their
meeting yesterday in Upper Marl-
boro to ask that a year-around rec
reation program be set up under the
supervision of the Board of Educa-
ton.
Delinquency Increases.
Declaring that there has been an
alarming" increase in juvenile de-
linquency In recent months, Robert
M. Watkins, a member OF the Mary
land National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, said a coun-
ty-wide program must be put into
effect as, soon as possible to take
up the idle time of boys and girls. -
A-rofosed budget. Calling for the
annual expenditure Of approximate
ly s66 .00Us 6As presented by Gard
ner G. Shugart, county superin-
tendent of schools.
Items in the budget include ap-
pointment of a full-time director
with travelling expenses and secre-
tarial help, $1,000; establishment Of
Fairgrounds for children of school
age to be operated five days a week
for 20 weeks, s2,l00; Fairgrounds
for children and adults, four eve
nings week for So weeks, $7,488:
nine-week summer recreation pro-
gram. $44,630. and equipment, $1,000.
Mr.. Watkins said approval of such
a program would result in or
cent increase in the county tax rate
and would cost each resident ap-
proximately so cents.
Proposal Favored.
Others who spoke in favor Of the
proposal included Dwight B. Gait,
associate attorney for the Park and
Planning Commission; Mrs. Doro-
thy Ogburn, executive secretary of
the County Welfare Board, and Mrs.
H. Lincoln Clark, president of the
County League of Women Voters
Doubt concerning the necessity
for immediate establishment of the
program was expressed by John s.
White, majority leader of the Mary
land House of Delegates
While emphasizing that he favored
any program to aid children, Mr..
White pointed out that the County
Police Boys Club is doing a great
job" in providing organized recrea-
ton for boys.
He asserted that the club spends
approximately $4,000 a year, all of
which is collected through voluntary
contributions, and deserves increased
support.
Problem Called Temporary.
In addition Mr.. White said that
the increase in juvenile delinquency
is "only temporary" and does not
justify the expenditure of $66, 900
in county funds now.
Also opposing immediate estab-
lishment of a full-time recreation
program were DR.. Martin Keane and
Mrs. Betty Tayman. Mrs. Tayman
said attention should be focused on
the need for increasing teacher SAL
aries and raising school, standards
to a par with those in Montgomery
County and the District.
In urging approval of the new
teacher salary schedule, DR.. Hop
kins said teachers are being forced"
out of the county school system be-
cause of their inability to meet ris-
ing living costs.
"It is natural for our teachers to
find places of employment where
their services are appreciated and
rewarded" he contended. 1--WE are
willing to pay more taxes provided
teacher salaries are increased"
The new schedule provides that
the two 5000 annual bonuses being
paid by the county and State be
made a permanent part of the
teachers basic salaries It also calls
for annual increases Of $75 instead