Evening star., 1949-05-03
Council Battle
Expected on
Library Taxes
Montgomery Session
Nearly Ready to Pick
Permanent Manager
By John Y. Homer


Permanent Manager
By John Y. Homer
Disagreement over tax-support-
ed libraries may give the Mont
gomery County Council a major
fight during the month long legis-
lative session. which opened yes
terday.
Bills soon to be introduced for
q special library tax in Kensing-
ton, on the one hand, and for
establishment Of a countrywide
library system, on the other, are
expected to bring the conflict.
Councilman Lewis Merriam, who
lives in Kensington. will intro
duce the legislation for his home
community. Mrs. Dorothy Him
stead Of Chevy Chase, leading
member of the League of Women
Voters, will propose the county
system on behalf Of that organ
ization.
Fire Tax Bills Presented.
Two bills we're introduced yes
terday at the 27-minute inaugural
session of the legislative period.
Both provide for permissive tax
levies for fire departments. One.
sponsored by Councilman j..
Douglas Bradshaw. Is for Bur-
tonsville, and the second, spon-
sored BY p. Garland Ligon, is for
Sandy. Spring. Each measure
would permit tax up to 10 cents
on the 800 valuation.
The only other business trans
acted yesterday was the adoption
Of rules of procedure for legisla-
tive meetings, as drafted by
President Frededic P. Lee. The
second session Is scheduled at
2 pm. today, in the courthouse at
Rockville, but the major develop
ment Of the day Is expected in
executive session Of the council
rather than the legislative.
The body is reported ready to
decide on the appointment of a
permanent county manager.
Members have refused to disclose
whether they will retain the acting
manager. Irving G. McNayr, or
replace him with one of the II
persons who applied for his job
In response to advertisements.
McNayr Appointment Expected.
Most informed observers lean
to the belief that Mr.. McNayr will
get the appointment, despite sharp
differences between council mem
bers over his qualifications. The
fight against him-all In closed
meetings-has been led by Mrs.
Himstead. Her position reflects
the attitude OF : the League Of
Women Voters, who objected to
his effort to hold down school
appropriations last year. He then
was county supervisor for the
Board Of County Commissioners.
In the forthcoming controversy
over libraries, Kensington will
seek enactment Of permissive tax
legislation In order TO raise $9.400
in the next fiscal year. This
money would be used to convert
Noyes Library from a subscrip-
ton organization to public in
stitution.
The League of Women Voters
advocate a general county tax for
libraries, with branches estab-
lished in key locations through
out Montgomery. Mrs. Himstead
said yesterday. however, she was
not ready to disclose the exact
provisions Of the bill she will in
troduce. Both she and Mr..
Merriam agree that their proposals
will conflict.
The Noyes Library, chartered
in 1892. was a gift Of the late
Brainard Warner, a prominent
Kensington citizen. He named 1t
in honor Of his friend. the late
Crosby S. Noyes, former editor Of
The Star. After the latter's death,
the Noyes family set up a $4,000
trust fund for the library.
Would Be Open a Hours Weekly.
Mrs. Willard Teunis, president
of the nine-member Board Of Di-
rectors, said that last year library
revenues totaled approximately
$1,000. This income was from
subscriptions, the trust fund. rem
tails, fines. q town contribution,
a gift from the Kensington Wom-
ans Club and benefit motion-pic-
ture shows. The library Is open
8 hours a week.
II the. council authorizes tax,
Mrs. Teunis said. the association
will turn over all Of the 5000
volumes and equipment to the
county.
The library would be kept open
a hours q week. with q full-time
librarian. q part-time assistant
and q part-time clerk.
The plan has been indorsed by
virtually all citizens associations
in the area. by the Kensington
and Wheaton Chambers Of Com
merce and other groups.
County officials do not yet know
the assessment base for the defined
area. Therefore, 1t Is not known
how much OF tax would be re-
quired to raise the amount asked
The library board proposes ia
make the levy apply to the same
area comprising the Kensington
fire district.
This may be headed for . snag
however. County Finance Direc.
tor Alex K. Hancock said he ha.
Just discovered that residents of 9
mort NJ fhe KenSinrto1 ffre dis.