Evening star., 1949-04-20
Tax Rise Hint
Again Dropped
In Montgomery
Council Also Dompen:
Hopes of Bonds for
Proposed Hospital

The Montgomery County Coun-
Gil yesterday dropped another
hint of tax increases. announced
zoning decisions of importance to
Silver Spring and Bethesda, and
dampened hopes of a $500, 900
bond issue for the proposed Silver
Spring hospital.
The Council also indorsed plans
for the establishment Of two new
county departments.
The tax rise was suggested in a
statement read by Mrs. Dorothy
s. Himstead of Chevy Chase,
Council member for the 4th dis
trict. 1t said. in effect. that FORE
seeable financial requirements
next year will increase about
$1,557 900, whereas anticipated
revenues will be up only $1.0l5,-
200.
If bonds are to be issued for
such capital improvements as
schools or road Projects. the state
ment said. the Council now be-
lieves the tax rate would have
to be raised in order to obtain
revenues for the bond INSTALL
ments. The statement added,
however, that final determination
would await presentation of
budgetary data next month.
ZOning Actions Taken.
In the zoning cases, the Council: !:
l. Decided to reconsider an
opinion by its predecessors, the
county commissioners, involving
property at the northwest corner
of Georgia avenue and Cameron
street, Silver Spring. The COM
missioners rezoned the land from
residential to commercial. BY re-
considering this action, the Council
opens the way for a ruling which
will make Cameron street the
northern limit of the Silver Spring
commercial district.
2. Denied an application for the
reZoning from residential A to
residential B. property at the
northwest corner Of Wisconsin
avenue and Morgan drive. The
owner wished to use the property
for tourist home.
The opinion in this case indi-
Gated a determination to maintain
residential A classification for
property along Wisconsin from
Bradley lane to Dorset avenue,
Somerset, and permit residential
B or lower classification for prop
erty from Dorset avenue to the
District line.
In denying the application of
George H. James In the latter
opinion, the Council noted that
there are three tourist homes be-
tween Bradley lane and Dorset
avenue. This land, however. Is
still classified residential A. The
decision yesterday did not pass
upon the question of whether these
tourist homes constitute lawful
non conforming uses, or uses pur-
suant to some lawful permit
authority, or violations of the
coming ordinance.
New Departments Planned.
Plans for the new Departments
of Finance and Public Works were
transmitted to the Council by Act
ing County Manager Irving G.
McNayr. They will 60 into effect
when Mr.. McNayr appoints the
respective department directors,
with approval of the Council.
The Silver Spring hospital
movement appeared to be losing
headway as a result of statements
by several councilmen. j. Douglas
Bradshaw of Takoma Park re-
ported on remarks he had made
to the hospital association, en-
phasizing that school construc-
ton would have to receive priority
in bond issues. P. Garland Ligon
of Brinklow supported this view
and Lewis Merriam of Kensington
urged that proponents of the hos
pital bond issue amend the pro-
posed legislation. He said many
citizens are strongly opposed to
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