Evening star., 1948-12-03
Asks
Prince Georges Group
Proposes Survey by
Maryland U. Expert

maryland ". expert
A proposal to have a specialist
from the University of Maryland
make a local government" survey
of Prince Georges County was sp-
proved last night by the county
civic federation.
The motion was introduced by
Mrs. Reuben Bogdanof, president Of
the county's League Of Women
Voters, who earlier in the session
had been named delegate at large
to the federation, representing the
league.
The federation was asked to sign
a letter to the county commission
ers, along with representatives of
other countrywide organizations.
urging them to request that the
survey be made by DR.. Joseph M.
Ray, director of the Bureau of Pub
lie Administration and head of the
Department of Government and
Politics at the university.
County Must Ask Survey.
Before the survey can be con-
Quoted, a request must be made
officially by the county. The sur
vey, which would be without cost to
the county, world include numerous
factors. but the federation asked
that special emphasis be placed on
government.
Later, Mrs. Bogdanof explained
that the request for q survey was
not "criticizing" the present COM
but instead urging
them to take the lead on the
theory that good government is good
politics"
The letter, to be sent to the COM
said that because Of the
rapid expansion in the county,
numerous "vexing" problems have
arisen, many of which could be
clarified by deliberate survey Of
the needs of the county with view
to the development Of our county
government to meet such specific
problems"
Would Help Educate Public.
Such an unbiased, nonpartisan
survey would materially aid both
the citizens of this county and the
county commissioners since 1t would
point to the specific areas of unmet
needs =" the letter explained.
1T would also aid in educating
the public as to what services and
facilities are needed and, in
turn. give your body the necessary
public encouragement and support
in obtaining such services" the let
ter said.
In other business, the federation,
for the second successive month.
tabled a proposal to join the re-
Gently. formed Committee on Un-
American Activities in the county.
this time until a Statewide similar
committee appointed by Gov Lane
makes its Study and recommenda-
tionS.
, The motion was presented by
Charles F. Luebner Of University
Park, after Walter r. Mullgan,
president, and Daniel M. Greena
chairman Of the federation's Legis.
lative Committee, said they saw no
necessity" for such an organization
at this time. Mr.. Mulligan, how
ever, said he thought the federa-
ton should be represented to see
that it's guided the right way"
Zoning Plan Hearings Urged.
The federation, on a motion by
Albert F. Bird of Temple Hills,
urged the commissioners to hold
public hearings on the proposed
master zoning plan for the county.
which was submitted some months
ago by the Maryland National Cap
ital Park and Planning Committee.
The plan would become effective II
the commissioners approve it.
A motion by George Ickes Of
Bowie that the federation approve
a proposal to have an elected County
School Board instead of its present
appointed one, was referred to Mr..
Greene's committee for study.
Mrs. Betty Tayman Of Cheverly,
Wallace Hall of the Northwest Citi.
5ens' Association and Edmund Sousa,
West Hyattsville, were designated as
a Nominating Committee to pick o
slate Of candidates for election in
January. Mr.. Mulligan was named
to represent the federation at a
meeting of the Maryland Council
on Education in Baltimore Deem
ber H.
Suggestions by Frank H. Fierstein
that legislation be sought to legalize
operation of pinball machines and
taxing them at 5000 each, legalizng
of numbers writing and taxing
midget automobile and harness
racing also were referred to Mr..
Greene's committee. A plea by Mr..
Fierstein for elimination of flood
conditions at the Bladensburg Peace
Cross was referred to Fred w. Cast,
chairman of the federation's Flood