Evening star., 1946-12-10
Civic Federation
Hits Rezoniing oi
|Arnory Tract
Montgomery Group
Also Gives Views
On Proposed Charter

AAC &0OA4GSO1lCAy SOuAAty A1blI
Federation is "unalterably" opposed
to the proposed change in zoning OF
the tract of land behind the Silver
Spring Armory owned by the Mary
land National Capitol Park and
Planning Commission.
At a meeting in the Bethesda
Elementary School last night, the
federation expressed its sentiment
following a proposal of Royal n
Carlock, chairman of the Internal
County Improvement Committee
that the federation 60 on record as
offering no objection to the proposed
commercial zoning of the property
The substitute resolution was in
troduced by James j. Cosgrove.
The park group, claiming the
tract now is too valuable for recrea-
tional purposes as formerly planned
has asked that part of it be used
for public parking and the rest for
commercial developments. The pro-
posal has been vigorously opposed by
st. Michael's School, which is oppo-
site the property, and other COM
munity groups.
The county commissioners will
hold a hearing on the application
at 3 pm. December 19.
Favor Council-Manager Plan.
In response to the questions asked
by the Montgomery County Charter
Board regarding the wishes of the
people as to what shall be included
in the new charter, the federation
expressed its approval of council
manager form of government.
1t delayed until the January meet
ing consideration of two suggestions
made by DR.. Lewis Merriam, chair
man of the Special Charter Com
mittee:
One, that the county council
should consist of seven members,
one to be selected from each of the
present five commissioner districts
and two to be elected at large:
Two, that the council shall de-
termine the matter of compensating
its members and the amount of their
compensation, provided, however
that the total compensation of any
council member shall not exceed
$1,000 year, and provided further
that the council may decide that
its members shall serve without pay.
Resolutions Adopted.
On the recommendation of the
Legislative Program Committee the
federation adopted resolutions:
% Favoring repeal of the So
called Lindsay amendment, particu-
larly the provision which prohibits
nonpartisan elections for county
council.
co Asking the legislative delega-
tion to seek amendment of the so
called" merit system law in Mont
gomery County in these respects:
Substitution of a Civil Service
Commission of three members, with
overlapping terms, for the single
commissioner now provided; pro-
vision for the certification to an
appointing officer of only the three
persons having the highest rating
on the register of eligibles. instead
of the entire register as now pro-
vided; establishment of Board OF
Civil Service Appeals to which any
employe in the classified service may
appeal from any decision adverse to
his interests, in place of the present
provision which gives finality to the
findings and decisions of a single
official.
Oppost Declaration Of Interest.
90 Repeal or amendment Of the
Declaration of Intention Act.
Revision of the adoption laws of
the State as recommended by the
Governors commission appointed to
make a special study of such laws,
was urged by the federation follow
ing a report by H. P. Morris, chair
man of the Social Welfare Com
mittee.
Rhees Burket, president of the
federation, was presented a gavel
made by the shop class at Mont
gomery Blair High School.