Evening star., 1949-05-18
County Changes
Stand, Votes
Hospital Bonds
$500, 900 Issue
To Meet Two-Thirds
OF CheverIy Costs

O2Ar VA kALE 4IA4al ObskhItCo U8CNk-
ing the start this year OF a ST.
zoe, 900 expansion program at the
Prince Georges General Hospital
Cheverly. was removed yesterday
when the county commissioners
agreed TO pay two-thirds of the
construction cost.
In authorizing an $500, 900 bond
issue. the commissioners reversed
their decision OF a week ago and
changed their minds for the fourth
time.
Their latest action will permit
the county to obtain Federal
funds before a June 30 deadline
In other business the commits
sioners were informed by a
Hyattsville attorney that court
action would be taken probably
tomorrow, to prevent holding OF
a referendum on the question OF
legalizing slot machines and other
amusement devices. The referen-
dunn Is set for June 2.
Delegation Appears.
The hospital bond issue was
approved after demands were
made by a delegation of about Is
county physicians and residents
The group made a similar plea
last Tuesday. The commissioners
at that time voted against the
bond issue. 3 to 2. The previous
week the county heads first au-
thorized the bond issue in a 40
vote and then changed their
minds. resembling the original
motion. 3 to 2.
Plans call for a ll0-bed addi-
ton to the present 100-bed hos.
pital and erection Of a new CEN
trail heating plant and a County
Health Department Building. The
latter structure also will house
various clinics. Provisions will be
made for the first time to care
for Negro and INDECENT patients
A contagious disease ward. the
first of its kind in the county
also will be provided.
Court action against the slo
machine referendum was threat.
ened by Attorney Walter L. Green
on behalf of c. Walter Hendrix
operator Of about so juke boxe.
and pinball machines throughout
the county.
Calls Bill Illegal.
Mr.. Green charged the bill
authorizing the referendum wa
illegal and unconstitutional.
II don't think the county shoult
spend $1,000 Of the taxpayers
money on an act which Is abso'
lutely Illegal and void" he de-
clared.
The attorney said he objected
principally to a provision in tn,
bill requiring machine operator!
to be voters and property owners
in the county for at least twt
years before filing their applica
tions.
He contended 1t would be un.
constitutional to deny his client
from operating machines. Mr.
Hendrix. Mr.. Green explained. i.
resident of Silver Spring and ha.
been operating machines in Prince
Georges County for II years. HI
is the head Of a Washington
corporation, the attorney said.
Refuse to Change Order.
The commissioners refused Il
change the referendum order aft.
er their attorneys. Robert Mathia.
and Waldo Burnside, pointed out
it was not up to the commission
ers to determine if the bill is legal
In other business. the commits
sioners received a recommendation
from the county YMCA asking
that w. Carroll Beatty Of Uni
versity Park be named as a mem
ber of the proposed four member
county recreation board.
Permission to operate a riding
stable at 6309-11 Central avenue,
near Seat Pleasant, was granted
Francis w. Wilkinson. Carnival
permits were granted the Capitol
Heights Fire Department for one
at Forty ninth and Central ave-
nues. Capitol Heights. May 30
June 4: Bowie Fire Department,
May 1921. on the Lanham-Severn
road. opposite the Bowie Post
ONCE: Mount Rainier Democratic
Club, Thirtieth street and Arundel
road. Mount Rainier, May 1928
and the My Maryland Post. Amer.
ican Legion. for one on the same
days on the Maryland Park High
School athletic field.