Evening star., 1947-01-29
Roads, Hospital
Funds Weighed
In Montgomery
$4,000, 900 Is Sought
For Highways; Loss on
Needy Patients Aired

For Highways; Loss on
Needy Patients Aired
The Board Of Commissioners for
County today had un-
der advisement two major requests
for funds presented at its weekly
yesterday.
Largest sum was that asked by the
County Farm Bureau for road i'm
James D. King. president
of the bureau, and o. w. Anderson,
county agent, outlined 5-year plan
Tor improving a total Of $40 miles
If cunty roads at cost of more than
"a, ,000, 900.
Arthur q. Lambert, president Of
the board Of the Suburban Hospital,
Bethesda, without mentioning q
specific sum, said that more n.SEey
must be given the hospital to care
for county needy patients. During
the past three years, he asserted,
the hospital has incurred loss Of
SIC, 600, in caring for such cases.
King '.Restating" Request.
Mr.. King explained that he was
restating the request made last year
for road improvements and which
was approved by the former county
board. However, no money was ap-
propriated.
Not only would the improvements
be beneficial to the farmers, he
pointed out, but would aid school
bus transportation, mail delivery,
and milk routes.
AS possible means of raising the
necessary funds, Mr.. King reiterated
those suggested last year, among
them: A special 1-cent gasoline tax,
reassessment of properties adjacent
to the improved roads; a gross rev.
enue tax against public utilities; and
a special tax on amusements and
recreational activities.
At the same time he pointed out
that money could be saved not only
county governments, but also State
and Federal, by "curtailing unneces-
sary relief expenditures.
Generations of Americans are
being produced" he asserted, who
will know only how to live on relief"
Dairy Farmer Speaks.
w. Lawson King, Gaithersburg
dairy farmer, spoke in support Of
Mr.. James D. Kings remarks. He
added that the personal property
tax should be abolished for farmers.
He classed as unfair" the abolish
ment of the tax as applied to private
home owners and not to farmers.
F. Bernard Welsh, attorney to the
County Board, in reviewing the diff
ficulties confronting a road program,
said that the present board was
elected on mo bond issue" plat
form, and added that no money
could be raised by such means.
Mr.. Lambert said that thescounty
pays the hospital only 81 a day
toward the care Of eligible county
patients. He asserted that that
sum contrasted with SO a day in
Prince Georges County.
I'VE want to serve these needy
people," he declared. "but we can't
continue to keep on losing money.
We are at the crossroads now"
He said that there were 127 county
patients cared for at the hospital in
1916 and IA in I945.
Nelson in Similar Plea.
At the same time, H. L. Nelson,
representing the Washington Sani-
tarium, Takoma Park, made SINH
lar request for more money for
county cases. He said he did not
have specific figures with him but
that it costs nearly $40 a day, or
more than twice the county allow
ance, to care for patients at the
sanitarium.
Broohe Johns, chairman of the
board, explained that both the hos
pital and roads requests would be
taken under advisement and would
be considered in June when next
years budget is studied.
He mentioned that the schools
are asking for $14,0o0,000 and ex-
pressed pessimism as to where the
county would obtain funds ito meet
all the increases in expenditures"
The board announced the ap-
pointment of Perry G. Burdette of
Woodfield and Leonard E. Brashear
of Laytonsville as members Of the
Board Of Assessors to fill two va
canies Salary will be $1,000.
The board adopted a resolution to
agree to follow whatever course the
District of Columbia takes this sum-
mer in regard to daylight saving
time.
Other Action Detailed.
Other action taken included the
naming Of each board member as
road commissioner from his respec-
tive district.
Andrew J. Kessinger, Silver
Spring, former member of the park
ing lot committee, abolished several
weeks ago, was named parking lot
commissioner at $500 annually.
With the abolition Of the former
committee a net saving of 81 300
formerly paid has been realized, it
was announced. County Supervisor
I. G. McNayr, a former member Of
the committee, will continue to as
sist Mr.. Kessinger without addi-
tional compensation.
Perry G. Burdette and Leonard
Eldredge Brasher were appointed
county assessors at salary of 5000
each.
Following grand jury recommen-
dations for a padded cell in the
Rockville Jail, Judges Charles w.
Woodward and Stedman Prescott
Of the Circuit Court informed the
board that such cells no longer are
used in modern jails.