Evening star., 1949-01-13
MontgomeryBi||
Asks Election Of
School Board
Nonpurtison Voting
Sought; Passage
Declared Uncertain
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor S,off corresponden,

Stor steff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 13-Leeislatior
TO substitute nonpartisan election
OF the Montgomery County Schoo
Board for the present system of an.
pointment by the Governor, is ex.
pected to be introduced today in the
General Assembly by the all-Repub-
hcan county delegation.
The measure, which would in
crease board membership from six
to seven, faces an uncertain future
In view of previous opposition by
the Democratic majority to any
move to curtail the Governors ap-
pointive powers.
Senator Roy Tascoe Davis, jr., and
his colleagues in the House charged
that appointments are made on rec
ommendation of the county Demo-
cratic Committee. 1t makes for a
strictly partisan" system. they said.
Provides for Referendum.
The bill provides for referendum
November 8. If approved, four
members would be named to four
year terms in the 1850 general elec-
ton The three most recently ap-
pointed members of the present
board would continue to serve until
1854.
At that time. a seven-member
board would be elected. Board men,
bers now are appointed for six-year
terms
Nominations for membership on
the board would be by petitions
signed by at least 500 voters.
Vacancies on the board would be
filled by the remaining board mem
bers.
The County Council could remove
any board member for immortality,
misconduct in Office, incompetency
or willful neglect of duty. The mem
Der affected would have the right
to review by the Circuit Court.
Get No Salaries.
Payment of salaries to board
members would be prohibited, but
the County Council could provide
funds for travel and other expenses.
While all board actions would have
to be taken at public meetings, ex-
ecutive sessions also would be per-
mitted, provided that any decisions
reached in closed sessions are made
public.
Despite the prospect of strong op-
position by the Democratic ma
jority, delegation members ex-
pressed optimism over the chances
of passage because of the referen-
dunn provision.
For the same reason, they are
hopeful the Governor would sign it.
They point out that after the
Governor vetoed a bill two years
ago, providing for the legalization
of slot machines in st. Marys Coun-
ty he signed a similar measure at
last years special session after a
referendum clause had been added.
Brooke Lee to Fight Plan.
Some political leaders doubt that
the bill will be approved in view OF
the friendship between E. Brooke
Lee, county Democratic leader. and
Gov Lane Mr.. Lee. former mem
Der of the General Assembly also
Is close to Democratic leaders
throughout the State and is ex-
pected to wage strong flght
against the measure
The bill is supported by civic and
parent-teacher groups and the dele
CATION is confident it would win
quick approval in referendum.
The delegates refused to say what
they would do if the bin is defeated.
It has been reported they would
offer a substitute MEASURE provid-
ing for appointment Of School Board
members by the County Council if
their original bill is rejected.
Members Of the group argue their
measure would take the School
Board out of politics. They contend
that prior to 1916, when the county
had a Democratic Board of County
Commissioners and a Democratic
School Board, the latter was careful
to hold its budgets to a minimum
in order to avoid the necessity for
q tax increase.
Offered Large Budget.
When a Republican Board Of
Commissioners was elected in 1916,
however, the delegation said, the
School Board submitted an unusual
ly large budget including raises for
teachers which should have been
gradually built up through the
years.
A member of the Democratic
Prince Georges County delegation
said his group probably would op-
pose the measure because of it's
effect on the Governors appointive
powers.
Meanwhile, Senator Louis L. Gold
stein, Democrat, of st. Marys
County said he planned to introduce
legislation next week to increase
the membership of the State Roads
Commission and the Maryland Pub
lie Service Commission from three
to five each.
He said such a move is necessary
to give Southern Maryland adequate
representation on the two agencies
In addition, the Senator said he
would submit bill to give half the
funds collected under the 2 per cent
motor vehicle titling tax to the
counties and Baltimore.
He pointed out that the State
Roads Commission now gets all re-
coiyotc frop, tho TOW