The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1945-05-17

the promise of the Board OF County
Commissioners that they will pro-
vide $4,000 in 1945.
A couple of weeks ago l promised
to tell you what chances Governor
O'Conor has of being reelected. if
he decides to run for a third term
Since that time, however, a situation
has arisen that amounts to an adj
mission by the governor that he
has no intention of seeking the
gubernatorial nomination in next
years primary. And here it is:
In 1912 Governor O'Conor, who
only won by 10000 votes, carried
Montgomery County by over six
thousand votes, while Brooke Lee,
running for election as United States
Congressman, lost the county by
1900 votes.
The governor thanked the vot-
ers of Montgomery County for Civ
ing him nearly half of his statewide
majority, by promptly appointing
Brooke Lee Montgomery County
Park Commissioner and chairman
of the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
This was a bitter pill for the
Democratic voters of Montgomery
County to swallow, right on the
heels of having defeated Mr.. Lee at
the polls, but they took it like good
soldiers.
Now what happens? Simply this
AT the recent session of the State
Legislature, House Bill No. 1888,
which, to all intents and purposes
makes Mr.. Lee car of Montgomery
County, was passed; has been signed
by Governor O'Conor over the en-
phatic protest of sizeable delega-
ton of representative Montgomery
County Democratic voters, and is
now law.
The number 1888 is going to be re-
membered for long time by Mont
gomery County, for the very fact
that the bill that gives autocratic
powers to Mr.. Lee bears the num-
Der 1888, shows that it was showed
into the hopper during the dying
hours of the session. AS a matter
of fact, | have personally questioned
several delegates, including some
from Washington County, and not
one of them remembers the bill be-
ing read in the House.
Now let's see what Bill No. 1888
does.
First of all it empowers Mr.. Lee,
as chairman of the Maryland Dis
trict planning Commission, to create
a Park Police Force having con-
current jurisdiction with the pres
ent Montgomery County Police force
within the parks and other areas
and within buildings, under the
commissioners jurisdiction, or in
ational program is in effect.
Furthermore, this police force is
solely accountable to Mr.. Lee as
chairman of the commission, and
there is no limit to the number of
policemen he may appoint.
Secondly, it gives Mr.. Lee, as
chairman, unlimited control over
all public forms of recreation. such
as rooms for public assembly,
dances, games, nurseries or, other
schools, bowling alleys, pool or
billiard rooms, gymnasiums, swim
ming pools, cafeterias, dining rooms,
restaurants and other facilities.
Lastly, it gives Mr.. Lee, as chair
man, an increase in salary of $500
year, as soon as he sees fit to de-
clare that he is holding down the
job on full-time basis.
Governor O'Conor is too good
politician not to know that the sign
ing of this bill spelled defeat for him
in Montgomery County and he also
knows that he cannot lose Mont
gomery County and be elected
Therefore there is nothing else to
assume but, that in signing the bill,
the governor admitted that he was
not interested in third term.
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