Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-04-01
Fight Due Today
On Montgomery
County Bills
School, Liquor Boord
PIons Face Action
By Maryland House
By J. B. Zotmon
Ssur StoH Corysspoodent

3far SfoH Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, April IA spirit
ed fight is expected in the House
today on two bills affecting the
Montgomery County School and
Liquor Boards. Both have passed
the Senate.
One measure. which would re-
quire the Governor to appoint
School Board members from a
list of three names submitted to
him by the County Council; was
given an unfavorable report yes
terday by the House Judiciary
Committee.
The other. which would transfer
title to the Liquor Dispensary
Building. Silver Spring from the
Liquor Board to the County Coun-
Gil. was voted on fayorably by
the same committe. The report
was adopted by the House with
no debate.
More County Control Seen.
Members of the all-Rcpublican
Montgomery delegation claim the
School Board bill would give
county residents more control over
school matters. At present, &C
cording to the delegation. the Gov
ernor appoints board members on
recommendation of the Demo-
cratic State Central Committee
for the county.
The Liquor Board measure, the
delegation said, would restore to
the county what was taken from
1t in 1913.
The group commended the Liquor
Dispensary Building was built with
county funds in 1888 and should
belong to the county"
Strong opposition to the propo-
sal was voiced by E. Brooke Lee,
county Democratic leader. and
James w. Gill, attorneS to the
board. at recent hearing.
Bill Sent to Governor.
The Senate yesterday sent to the
Governor a bill raising Montgom-
ery's bonded debt limit from 7 to
10 per cent of it's assessable base.
County officials have estimated
the increase would enable them to
issue about $11 100000 in addi-
tional bonds. The Z per cent limit
is prescribed by the county's new
charter. -.
The Senate session also was
marked by an attempt by Senator
Roy Tasco Davis, Republican, Of
Montgomery County to amend a
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission bill so as to give his
county, as well as Prince Georges.
some say over appointment Of the
three commission members. They
Ore now appointed by the Gov
ernor. ~
Senator Davis proposed that the
Governor appoint two Of the
members from recommendations
by the Montgomery County Coun-
Gil and the Prince Georges Coun-
ty Commissioners.
He told the Senate his amend
ment was not a ripper" since it
would take effect when the pres
ent members terms expire in 1851.
His proposal was defeated, how
ever, after Senator L. Harold
Sothoron, Democrat, of Prince
Georges County. charged it would
make the commission subject to
the whims and caprices Of petty
politics"
Chairman's Pay Set at $4,000.
The bill then was approved and
sent to the Governor. 1t fixes the
salary of the commission chair
man at $4,000 year,
When another commission bill
came up for final action, Senator
Davis proposed an amendment
providing for an audit Of the
agency's books at any time by
Montgomery or Prince Georges
officials.
But Senator Sothoron objected
to the language of the proposal
and action was deferred until to-
day. The measure would exempt
the commissions water bonds
from its bonded debt limit OF IA
per cent Of the assessable base
of both counties.
Slot Machine Bill
The House also passed and sent
to the Senate a bill to legalize slot
machines In Prince Georges
County subject to a referendum.
Montgomery Delegate John Il.
Reeves, Republican. made an I'm
successful attempt to send the
measure back to committee on
the ground 1t Disseminated
against persons who operate pin
ball machines in Prince Georges
but live in Montgomery.
The bill requires operators OF
the machines to be residents and
voters of Prince Georges County.
Another bill sent to the Senate
would authorize the Prince
Georges County Commissioners to
issue up to o,650.0o0 in bonds
for school construction.
Other Bills Before Governor.
Other bills sent to the Governor
by the Senate would:
Include part Of the Cabin John
area in Montgomery County IN
the Washington Suburban Sani-
tary District: permit the Bethesda
Public Library Association to join
the Montgomery County library
system, If and when the latter is
created; give employees OF the
Montgomery Liquor Board and
public libraries the option OF COM
ing under the State pension sys-
tenn.
Also, freeze liquor licenses In
Prince Georges County at 10 more
than the present number: provide
for q referendum in Hyattsville
on the issuance by the city OF
500, 1000 in bonds for q new fire.
house; prohibit the dumping OF
trash mr. garbage along Anne