Evening star., 1950-12-03
Retiring Board
Cites Surplus in
PrinceGeorges
Democratic Group
Says Treasury Now
Hos Nearly Million

The retiring Prince Georges
County commissioners last night
promised their successors will find
a healthy financial condition
with a surplus of nearly 81 mil
lion when they take over the reins
of government Tuesday.
The Democratic commissioners
who were defeated by an all-Re-
publican slate on November 7,
gave a report on the staus of
county affairs in a prepared state
ment.
A surplus of about $950,000, plus
$660,OOO in additional revenue
that the present tax rate can bring
in next year because of increased
assessments, will provide a fund
in excess of $16 million either for
added costs of government or for
reduction Of the tax rate, &C
cording to the statement.
The commissioners said they
"take pride in turning over the
reins of government to their sue
cessors with that kind of healthy
financial condition"
5 Sources of Revenue.
The statement says the surplus
was accumulated from five sources
-$88,131.85 from back taxes
$131 ,927 above an anticipated sur
plus account; 100000 from the
1949 auto tag account; $83,725
collections above those anticipated
in the 1850 auto tag account, and
SALTS in unappropriated -reve-
nues from new assessments.
The commissioners said that in
spite of the enormous increase in
pupil enrolment "the educational
system in the county is one OF
which we are justifiably proud"
Their statement points out that
there no ware under construction,
with funds already provided, IA
new schools or additions-virtu-
ally all due to be available next
fall.
More Schools Needed.
1--WE recognize that extensive
additional construction will have
to be commenced soon to provide
for further enrolment increases
in the future" the commissioners
said, "but feel gratif1ed that, aside
from providing for normal growth,
the end of the school problem is
now in sight"
The statement also points to
the addition to the Prince Georges
General Hospital. which is near
ing completion. The addition
will increase the hospitals capac-
ity from los to 225 beds.
The commissioners listed flood
control as lone of the county's
most vexatious problems for many
years." principally in the vicinity
of Bladensburg.
q. s. Aid Is Necessary.
During the term of the out
going administration" said the
commissioners, vigorous and con-
certed effort was directed to this
problem and an adequate solu-
ton has been worked out" The
commissioners added that the
only remaining step is for the
Federal Government to appropri-
ate its share of funds for the flood
control program.
General public works in the
county such as streets, roads and
highways have. during the present
administration, been brought to a
high degree of development and
maintenance" the commissioners
asserted. Their statement lists
such projects as Arundel road
Benning road, Chillum road
Queens Chapel road and Marlboro
pike which now are under con-
struction or have been authorized
In addition, the statement lists
street improvements programs fol-
communities for which plans have
been approved.
In conclusion, the commission
ers declared:
while the above summarizes
only a few of the more important
phases of the county government
we are proud to relinQuish the
management of that government
to our successors in it's present
excellent condition"
The final session of the present
commissioner will begin at 1C
am. Tuesday at the courthouse
at Upper Marlboro. The incoming
commissioner will assume office