Evening star., 1947-04-23
Move 10 Abolish
2Posifions Fails
InMontgonlery
County Boord Votes
Five-Doy Week Plan
Despite Opposition
By Morton L. CIork

BY Morton L. Clork
a move to abolish the posts Of
commissioner for the Montgomery
County aims house and police COM
missioner was blocked by the county
board yesterday.
In surprise maneuver, Brooke
Johns chairman of the board, made
the suggestion only to have it side
tracked twice at the boards public
session and later at an executive
meeting. At the end of the day 1t
was announced the motion had been
withdrawn.
Wesley I. Sauter holds the posi-
ton OF police commissioner which
pays $1,000 year In addition to
his salary as county commissioner.
He said the proposal needed more
study. Mr.. Johns Is commissioner
for the aims house, for which he re-
ceives $500 year extra salary. The
Republican-controlled board has
abolished many jobs and cut the
salaries of others since it took Office
in December.
Yesterdays session also was
marked by arguments on proposal
Of Irving G. McNayr, county super
visor, advocating f1ye-day week
for county employees. Opposition led
by Mr.. Sauter succeeded in having
the motion defeated at first, but 1t
was passed at the afternoon session.
Would Take Effect May 1.
Mr.. McNayr's proposal recon-
mended that the hours Of work for
county employees under the juris-
diction of the Board of County
Commissioners and the supervision
of the county supervisor be changed,
effective May l." Under the pro-
posal the hours would be from $3.50
am. to 4:30 pm. with one hour for
lunch each day except Friday, when
the lunch period will be one-half
hour.
The proposal excepts Offices and
departments which require skeleton
forces on Saturday for the police
and the road maintenance crews.
In making his suggestion that
the posts Of police commissioner
and county home supervisor be
abolished, Mr.. Johns said he felt
both could be handled by the entire
board and this would make for
better county government.
Six Named to Police Fore.
Six new police force appointments,
subject to the chiefs approval, and
several promotions were announced.
Appointed were Harold Nell Marks,
Washington Grove; Marion S. Whit
taker, Macarthur boulevard, Wash
ington; Edward F. Hid, Bethesda:
Frank B. Owens, Chevy Chase, and
Richard T. Butler. Kensington.
Patrolmen Robert Cosgrave, James
o. Breeden and Paul Alexander were
promoted to corporal, and Detective
Corpl. John H. Leahy was promoted
to detective sergeant.
After another heated argument,
the board voted to make Good Fri
day an official holiday for county
employees, and to declare six other
days, usually regarded as holidays,
as Official" These are Christmas,
New Year Day, Thanksgiving Day
Labor Day, July a and Memorial
Day. General election day also was
declared holiday.
A request for retirement from the
police force because of disability in
Cured in line of duty was received
from Capt. D. L. Snyder of Silver
Springs. Capt. Snyder said he
suffered from a spinal injury re-
ceived In an automobile accident in
1882. His request was referred to
the Police Trial Board.
Project to Be Taken Over.
Mai. John B. Lamond, post engi-
neer at Walter Reed Medical Center
told the commissioners the center
will take over the Glen Haven hous-
ing project on Georgia avenue ex-
tended, near Wheaton on May l
Formerly under Federal Housing,
the project has about 10 houses
occupied by military and civilian
families.
Mai, Lamond told the commits
sioners the Army can provide trans
portation to schools for the children
Of military families but is not sub
ject to taxation. Under present ar
rangements the county receives
about S3,400 year from the project
II, lion of Sehool fsyes
Dana B. Johannes, jr., president
Of the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire
Department, urged the board to
take prompt action In adopting a
county fire code.
Two new members were elected
to the Montgomery County Safety
Council They were w. L. Robert
son, associate director of traffic and
engineering. American Automobile
Association. and John B. Ecker, di-
rector of research and planning
Capital Transit Co.
The commissioners voted tc
abolish the salary of woman Gus
todian at the Liquor Dispensary
Building. They contend it should
be paid by the dispensary.
Donald K. Staley, Silver Spring
sttornes, was named to act as spe.
cial counsel for the commissioner
in any condemnation proceeding
necessary to acquire public parking
lots In silver Spring. Appointment
was also announced of j. Dougla
Bradshaw Of Takonaa Park to tn
Police Trial Board to replace Franl
L. Hewitt Of Silver Spring.
ResidnniiaI Head Named