Evening star., 1949-10-07
.PriinceGeorges
School Rental
Civic Federation Asks
County Organizations
To Protest Charges

The Prince Georges County
Civic Federation is on record to-
day as opposing fees charged by
the county Board of Education for
use of public school Buildings by
civic organizations
The group was unanimous in its
action last night at the County
Service Building. Hyattsville, and
directed that a letter Of protest be
forwarded Immediately to school
officials.
II feel it is something that
should be protested by every
organization in this county that
uses the schools" Walter F. Multi
gan of Berwyn, federation presl-
dent, declared.
Federation members were told
the county, starting this fall,
levied a So assessment for each
meeting, plus dollar an hour for
janitorial services, with a total
minimum of SIS meeting,
Cites Support Given.
Albert F. Bird of Temple Hills.
who introduced the motion, said
he thought the school. board
seems to be biting the hand that
feeds it, He explained that the
same civic groups, which have to
pay the charges, are always 100
per cent" in back of the school
board whenever it makes requests
for funds.
George L. Ickes of Bowie con-
tended State school laws stipulate
schools can be used during off
hours "for the presentation and
discussion of public questions and
for other civic, social or recrea-
tional activities" and that such
service shall be free.
Daniel M. Greene. of Avondale
said his group. the Queens Chapel
Citizens Association, voted We'd
nesday night to take the same
action and sent in a check noted
with paid under protest He
added his group thought citizens
associations had the same right
to use the schools for their meet
ing free of charge as parent
teacher associations
Proposal Rejected.
A proposal that the federation
back President Truman's nomina-
ton of Leland Olds for third
term on the Federal Power Com
mission was rejected on the
grounds the delegates were insufh-
GENTLY informed on the matter.
| Mrs. Dorothy Sousa, of Hyatts-
willie, who offered the resolution.
described Mr.. Olds as a friend Of
the people"
In another action, the fedora
ton voted to ask the county COM
missioners to hold another public
hearing on the proposed master
Izoning plan for the county be-
fore taking final action on it. AS
serting the organization was in
favor of the plan, the group nev-
ertheless said it wanted to know
what revisions had been made and
If there were any more objection
able features in it.
Acting on a motion by George
w. Bowen of District Heights, the
federation approved a resolution
favoring inclusion of sidewalk con-
struction when planning new
schools for the county. Mr.. Bowen
pointed out that conditions around
the District Heights Elementary
School were extremely hazardous
because of no sidewalks along the
county road in front of the school.
The delegates approved the first
reading of a proposed amendment
to the federation's bylaws stipu-
lating that member units forfeit
their rights to membership if dele
gates or alternates miss two con-
secutive meetings of the group
without proper excuse.
Two new groups, the Silver Hill
and Bellemeade Citizens Associa-
tions, were admitted to member
ship last night.
The Rev. C. c. Day. pastor of
the Memorial Methodist Church
of Hyattsville, delivered benedic-
ton at the close of the session.