Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-23
Council 10 Face
Protest on Shifts
OF Service Units
MeNoyr Proposal
Stirs Opposition
In Montgomery
By John V. Horner

Acting County Manager Irving G.
McNayr's proposal TO curtail opera
tons at the Silver Spring and Be-
thesda service buildings gives the
new Montgomery County Council q
hot political potato to handle in its
second week of existence
The council, which will consider
the reorganization plan at its sec
ond regular meeting Tuesday, will
be besieged with protests against
transfer of the service building &C
Invites to Rockville
Mr.. McNayr recommended a con-
solidation of services at the county
seat lin the interest of efficiency,
economy and sounder administra-
ton" He proposed to abolish the
jobs of 10 employees and to have a
woman executive secretary in each
community transact routine county
business as deputy for the man.
ager MI. McNayr estimated his
plan would bring about annual saw
4lSS VI more Illdn 3D. Z ,UUU.
Assailed by Christensen.
Adverse reaction to the proposal
was instaneous. 1t was assailed by
Einar B. Christensen, president Of
the Silver Spring Board of Trade,
and editorially by the MARYLAND
News, published in Silver Spring by
Blair Lee III, son of E. Brook Lee,
county Democratic leader.
Real estate dealers also are re-
ported opposed to the change be-
cause real estate records would be
moved to Rockville and county
functions pertaining to front foot
assessments no longer would be per-
formed in the suburban areas.
Mr.. McNayr said yesterday that
he is sticking by the proposal. He
charged the DIRECTORS are still
thinking in terms of the old political
system" under which they could 20
to a suburban commissioner and
attempt to exert influence" in
county affairs.
The issue may bring a test of the
whole theory Of council-manager
government under the new charter.
Talk of Incorporating Revived.
The council believes that it should
establish policy and its manager
should execute it, assuming respon-
slblllty for administration of all
affairs. The managers recommen-
datlons therefore are apt to receive
considerably more weight in the
charter government than proposals
OF the county supervisor under the
old commissioner plan.
The councils decision on the Nc
Nayr proposition may therefore be
an index to future action.
Meanwhile, talk is being revived
in the populous suburban commu-
mites of Incorporating Bethesda
and Silver Spring as cities, removing
them from county jurisdiction. There
are difficulties in such move, how
ever, and number of objections
would be raised to that step.
Cooperation Urged.
With the reorganization discussion
increasing, the Democratic State
Central Committee announced adop-
ton Of resolution urging party
members to cooperate to the fullest
reasonable extent with the newly
elected County Council, reserving to
ourselves the right to express OPP
position to any measures proposed
by the County Council, CDunty
Manager or the Charter Party
which we believe to be unsound or
unwise. and to offer constructive
criticism with respect thereto"
The committee also praised the
inaugural address of President Tru-
man and pledged to him "unwaver-
ing loyalty and support in carrying
out the rogram which he has an
nounced."