Evening star., 1947-02-27
Prince Georges Area
Expansion Measures
Debated at Annapolis
By q Stoff Correspopden, Of The stoy

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 27.-ArgumentS
on bill to extend the Bladensburg
town boundaries and proposed
amendments to a measure to in
corporate seven communities ad-
joining Mount Rainier were being
considered today by the Prince
Georges County delegation to, the
General Assembly.
Hearings on the bills were held
last night in the Senate chamber.
The Bladensburg bill would in
clude in the town the neighboring
subdivisions OF Rogers aHeights,
Villa Heights, Woodley Hills, Newton
Village and. Sunnybrook. e
-Four Wards Provided.
It provides for the division of the
area into four wards with a refer
endum to be held In each on or
before the first Monday In May
this year.
Those opposing the measure con-
tended that incorporation would
result in increased taxation and
give us nothing we cannot get
ourselves -
These arguments were voiced by
j. r. Walcroft, Villa Heights, and
Clarence E. Hile. Woodley Hills. o.
l.. Stevens, Sunnybrook, also opposed
the bill. ...
Mr.. Hile presented petition
bearing the names of about ITO resi-
dents of the Villa Heights area op-
posing inclusion in the town.
Inclusion Of Tract Opposed.
Robert Swope, president of the
Southern Oxygen Co., on River road,
near Bladensburg, expressed fear
the firm might not be able to comply
with town regulations.
While not a resident of the area
affected, Fred w. Cast, Cheverly,
objected to the proposed inclusion
in Bladensburg of a large wooded
tract Immediately west of that town.
Andrew F. Gasch, chairman of the
Bladensburg Town Commissioners,
claimed the area would be served
best If added to the town.
Also supporting the bill were Vim
cent j. McCarron, a member of the
board, and Samuel M. Miller, presi-
dent of the Newton Village Citizens
Association.
Brehme Offers Amendments.
Although not one voice was raised
in opposition to the bill to incor-
porate the seven communities, sew
eral Chillum residents offered
amendments.
The incorporated area would be
known as Chapel City and would
take in North Woodbridge, Avondale
Terrace, Avondale, Green Meadows,
Brookside Manor, Michigan Park
Hills and Chillum.
Largest number of changes in the
pill were recommended by Franklyn
Brehme. The would:
Eliminate a provision recurring a
candidate for city commissioner to
be a registered voter of Maryland;
strike out the provision limiting the
fee for business licenses to $25; re-
duce the maximum interest rate on
certificates Of Indebtedness from S
to 8 per cent and insert a provision
for fire department.
Mr.. Brehme also suggested the
city publish a notice of its financial
condition within 30 days after each
calendar year.
Ridgeway Favors Extension.
Charles Ridgeway, jr, recon-
mended that the area to be in
corporated be extended to take
in homes along New Hampshire
avenue.
Elton Brown, jr., criticized the
proposed maximum tax rate of 65
cents, adding that it was too high,
while James A. Miller, jr., said the
area should vote "as a whole" in
the proposed referendum and not
by districts, as provided in the bill.
A delay in further action on the
bill was asked by Lester Buchler,
Chillum. who said residents of the
area needed more time to study
the measure. Nicholas Orme, jr.,
Hyattsville attorney representing
those favoring the bill as drawn,
noted that no opposition had been
expressed to incorporation.
He said he would be glad to meet
with those who suggested changes
in the bill "and iron out our diff