Evening star., 1946-09-24
Platform Voted
Bykontgomery
G0PCommittee
Proposals Demand
End of Declaration
Of Intentions Act

Elimination of the Declaration of
Intentions Act and establishment of
s"complete local control over purely
local affairs" are among pledges
made by Montgomery County Re-
publicans in a platform approved
last night by the County Repub-
dcan Campaign Committee.
The platform was drafted by q
committee headed by Howard p.
Bailey. Other members are Arthur
j. Hilland, Richard B. Barker, Paul
M. Coughlan, Thomas c. Kelley
and r. Duncan Clarke.
Under the Maryland Declara-
ton OF Intentions Act new resi-
dents must declare their intention
to vote at least one year prior to
becoming eligible to cast their bal
lots
Committee .Criticizes Act.
The Platform Committee charged
that the act prevents many new
county residents, who are other
wise qualified. from exercising their
right to vote.
officials Of the powers which have
been taken away from them and
given to State agencies" the plat
form calls for removal from the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission and the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission of their control
over purely local affairs."
In this connection, the Repub-
lieans said they intend to take the
collection of trash and garbage away
from the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission and place it
in the hands of the county COM
rnissioners, who can be held re-
sponsible at the polls If the service
is unsatisfactory"
Election Changes Sought.
It also is proposed that delegates
to the State Legislature be elected
by. the voters in their respective
districts rather than on a county
wide basis, as at present.
Condemning the alleged practice
of Democrats in resigning the Of
fees to which they have been elected
to accept appointive posts, thus
making places in elective positions
for those who have not faced the
voters" the Republican party
pledged that there will be no "office
juggling" if it is elected to power.
Z. The Republicans also advocated
an independent survey Of county
schools, the timely" construction
and repair of roads on the basis Of
need rather than political consid-
Grafton, q "far sighted and we'll
planned" drainage system for the
suburban area to meet present and
anticipated growth and the ap-
pointment of Board of Education
members by the county circuit court
Judges rather than by the Governor
g Merit System Planned.
I'm addition, the COP. said it would
establish real merit system for
county workers, including all but
policy making employees. Those
covered by such a system would be
forbidden from participating in par
tisan political activities.
Attacking the present financial
administration of the county, the
Republicans opposed the sale of tax
anticipated certificates to meet
deficits arising out of overspending
and "blank check bond issues.
To effect these badly needed" re-
forms, Republicans called on Demo-
Gratis who are interested in the gen.
eral welfare and not in the welfare
Of the present Democratic party
leadership to assist in developing a
plan to reorganize the county gov
ernment so that rights of the in
dividual will be safeguarded against
ruthless and reckless planning and
true democracy may be returned to
the coIlnty"