Evening star., 1949-02-25
Bonds Proposed
For B|adensburo
Flood Control
Bill to Be Offered
Legislature for
S2,250, 900 Issue
By J. B. Zotmon
Ster SteH Correspondent

~~--
authorizing three Prince Georges
County agencies to issue a maxi
mum of $2,250,000 in bonds for
flood control projects in the Blad-
ensburg area is to be introduced
today in the General Assembly by
the county legislative delegation.
If approved, the measure would
enable the county to swing into
action to eliminate the 150-year-
old flood problem in the area, il
and when Congress approves
overall plans.
These call for widening and
Strengthening the Anacostia River
and establishment of an 8-foot
channel from the District to
BladenSburg. construction OF
levees along the Eastern Branch
pumping stations and drainage
systems. Total cost is estimated
at approximately $8.0OO,000.
Zoning Measure Disapproved.
Meanwhile. it was learned the
House Judiciary Committee has
voted unfavorably on bill to give
the State Roads Commission zon-
ing authority along heavily trav-
eled highways.
Chairman Melnicove said, how
ever, the committee would hold
up its report pending attempts by
opposing sides to reach an agree
ment on modification OF the
measure.
Under the bill. the commission
could prohibit new construction
and billboards to depth Of 200
feet on each side of roads having
a traffic count of at least 1000
vehicles daily.
At a hearing before the COM
mission last week. opponents, most
of whom came from rural areas,
claimed the bill would in effect
permit the commission to take
property without compensation,
Three Agencies to Issue Bonds.
Under the flood control bill, the
county commissioners could issue
up to $1,500,000 in bonds. the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission up to $500 900 and the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission up to
s250,000.
Each Of the bond issues would
have to be paid off in at least
40 years and would bear a maxi
mum interest rate of 4 per cent.
In addition, the State Roads
Commission is directed to take
rom it's general fund sufficient
money to pay for building and
alocating all State highways and
ridges within the area covered
I,y the flood control projects. The
Maximum to be spent for such
purposes could not exceed ST.
l.. 10000.
Commission to Handle Funds.
All bonds issue proceeds and
Ctate Road Commission funds
,.ould be turned over to the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission, which is empowered
N the bill to contract with the
federal Government for food con-
troll and navigation projects.
Proceeds of the bonds issued by
the county commissioners would
be used to relocate all county high
ways and bridges and to build
commercial and recreational boat
basins.
The Sanitary Commission bonds
would be applied to the cost of
building drainage facilities and re-
locating utility" structures. The
bonds issued by the Planning
Commission would be used for the
acquisition of land and buildings
believed necessary for the pro-
gram.
Charges for the use of the rec
reational and commercial naviga-
ton facilities would be fixed by
the Sanitary Commission. which
would operate them.
Surplus to Be Returned.
Any surplus remaining after the
fees are paid would be returned
to the county Commissioners and
the two commissions in proportion
to the capital costs contributed by
each.
The bill also would permit the
Sanitary Commission to accept
contributions from the Federal
Government, the State. the Dis
trict of Columbia or any munich
pality, corporation or individual.
Among bills passed yesterday in
the House was one by Delegate
Oliver Guyther, Democrat, of St.
Marys County to require the St.
Marys County commissioners to
issue $550,000 in bonds for school
construction.
Another bill, sponsored by Del
egate John r. Reeves. Republican,
OF montgomery county, would
eliminate stays of execution of
judgments in the county.
Other Bills Approved.
Also receiving House approval
was a Prince Georges County bill
eliminating the rural land CLASH
fication in College Park for assess
ment purposes. increasing the
number of district councilmen
from four to five and providing
for the appointment of a town
treasurer. The post now is elec-
tive.
In the Senate, approval was
given a bill to incorporate Forest
Heights in Prince Georges County.
The House voted down a bill
designed to limit advertising by
chiropodists after Delegate John
Luber, Democrat, of Baltimore
contended it would give practi-
TONERS the right to perform ma
jor surgical operations" on the
feet.
Also killed was a bill to ban