Evening star., 1948-06-15
Hearing Tonight
ToC|imaxFight
On School Funds
Montgomery Civic
Federation Fuvors
81 Maximum Levy

Lines were drawn today for the
decisive engagement of Mont
gomery County's battle Of the
budget, with a concentration OF
forces grouped for a showdown on
1889 school appropriations.
A bitter controversy that has
stirred every county community in
tensified as the time approached
for a public budget hearing before
the county commissioners. The
scheduled for 8 pm. in
the Rockville Courthouse, was ex-
pected to attract hundreds of
citizens.
Although the commissioners will
receive expressions on any item in
the record $6,251,63 budget. the
principal fireworks are certain to
come during consideration Of funds
for schools. The issues revolve
around a Board Of Education re-
quest for So, ,429 1863 in the next fis-
cal year, and the counter-recom-
mendation by County Supervisor
Irving G.. McNayr that school funds
be limited to $2,s85, ,468.
Under the McNayr proposal,
Montgomery's tax rate would total
$1.S3 per 500 valuation, an increase
of cents over the current levy.
It is estimated that tax OF $2.14
would be needed to provide all the
schools have asked.
Federation Urges Compromise.
A preview of what's in store at the
hearing was offered last
night when the Montgomery County
Civic Federation discussed the budget
at meeting in Bethesda. The fed
Grafton engaged in vigorous and
bitter debate before rec
a compromise between
the McNayr and school board
budgets. 1t urged the commits
sioners to increase the McNayr fig
ure for schools by $125,000-to a
total Of 5000, ,468-so as to raise
teachers salaries.
The civic federation Endorsed a
maximum tax levy Of 81.
The $125,000 compromise figure
conceded with one proposed yester-
day by E. M. Douglas, assistant
school superintendent. Mr.. Doug
last told newsmen such a sum
over and above the McNayr recon-
mendation-would permit continued
operation Of the present school pro-
gram, with some limitations.
The civic federation oyerwhelm-
ingly rejected proposal by DR..
7. Whyte, chairman Of its
School Committee, to recommend
that the commissioners allow the
school system $439, 1896 more than
McNayr recommended.
The principal attack on this pro-
posal was made by Henry j. Smell
lings and Franklin T. Miles of Chevy
Chase. Mr.. Snellings said he de-
plored pressure tactics in behalf Of
teachers" and asserted that the
county. like a family. has limited
funds for its budget.
Argument on Teachers Salaries.
Under the McNayr budget, the
schools are getting Sc per cent of
the total county appropriation.
They don't deserve more when all
the other departments have pressing
needs" he said.
DR.. Whyte supported Mr.. Douglas
view that the county must keep its
promise to increase teacher salaries.
In q response to question he
denied a recent statement by Super
visor McNayr that Montgomery has
as high an average for teacher pay
as any county in the United States.
Mr.. McNayr, who attended as an
observer, jumped to his feet and de-
manded proof of the statement.
DR.. Whyte asked for restatement
of the question and then said he was
sorry, he misunderstood it. He
agreed that he could not name a
county but contended
that county school systems are used
principally in Virginia, LOUISIANA
and other Southern States.
"Who wants to have systems ike
them?" he asked.
Traffic Bureau Rejected.
The 3l25 900 school compromise
was one of five points proposed In a
drafted by the federation
on Public Finance and
Budget.
The members rejected a proposal
urging the county to appropriate
s2s 900 for q county trafiic bureau IN
the police department. All other
parts of the resolution were ap-
proved. They are:
The commissioners were asked to
increase Health Department appro-
priations by $1,000 for its profes-
sional staff.
They were urged to adopt the
budget officers proposal for meeting
all bond maturities with current rev.
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