Evening star., 1950-12-14
County Heads
10 Form
Statewide Unit
Eastern and Western
Shore Groups Plan
Merger at Annapolis
By J. |. MichoeI


ANNAPOLIS, Dec. l4.-Plans
are under way today to band to-
gether the heads of Maryland's
% counties into a Statewide or
ganization with a powerful voice
in legislative matters.
The proposal was unanimously
approved yesterday at joint meet
ing of Eastern and Western Shore
county commissioners who have
heretofore functioned as separate
More than so commissioners
and other county representatives
attended an all-day meeting at
carvel Hall. They also went on
record as unanimously favoring
retention of the States present
tax assessment system.
No Vote on Tax Plan.
Lively debate, on a motion to
record the group as opposed to
TAX exemption of industrial ma
chlnery and inventories ended
a deciding vote.
Also discussed without conclu-
sion was the question whether
the counties will be required to
impose tax levies to repay school
construction funds obtained from
the States $40 million grant-in-
aid fund.
Another subject which received
orlef attention was the question
OF the part counties are to take
IN the civil defense program. Most
OF the county heads seemed to feel
that responsibility for civil de-
tense planning rests chiefly with
the Federal Government.
In separate morning sessions.
Eastern and Western Shore COM
mlssloners elected officers for one
year terms.
Officers Named.
U. Grant Hooper, head of the
Frederick County Board of Com
mlssloners, was named to lead the
western group. Clarence E. Tyler
OF Anne Arundel County was
elected vice president and Walter
V. Bennett. Carroll County, treas
urer.
Elected secretary was Mrs.
Kathryn LaWlor, a member of the
Montgomery County Council. Mrs.
Lawlor, who also is secretary to
the council, was the only woman
county representative at the meet
ing.
Officers elected by the Eastern
Shore group are Paul M. Widow
son, Wicomico County, president;
Thomas N. Kay, Cecil County,
vice president and E. Sheldon
Jones, secretary-treasurer
Mr.. Jones is secretary to the Wi
comico County Commissioners.
Tyler Heads Group.
At joint session in the after
noon, Mr.. Tyler was named head
of new legislative committee
which will represent both groups
until the consolidation becomes
effective. Other committee mem
best are William H. Lemmert, AL
legany County: Wilton R. Walker.
Hartford County; Julian HURT,
Kent County, and Samuel Shock
ley. Worcester County.
The motion to merge the two
groups was offered by Mrs. Law
lor after Irving G. McNayr,
Montgomery County manager
spoke in favor of the plan.
Under the proposal, the new
organization will be called the
Maryland State Association of
County Commissioners. 1t will be
divided into Eastern and Western
shore branches with each group
arranging its own schedule of
meetings. The State association
will meet each year just before
the General Assembly convenes
and perhaps at other times.
Close Tab Asked.
Mr.. Tyler was asked to keep
close tab on legislative develop
ments.
Mr.. McNayr and w. Clyde Ford,
jr., of Somerset County, will head
committees charged with effect
ing the consolidation. They will
name their own committee men,
bers.
In approving the existing rota-
tional tax assessment system un-
der which property is re-assessed
each five years. the commissioners
expressed the view that annual
assessments of all property would
prove too costly.
They also agreed that assess.
ment at full theoretical" value
is equitable.
Referring to a suggestion that
county commissioners be author
lzed to set up assessment systems.
MIR. Tyler said this would lead
to chaotic conditions.