Evening star., 1950-11-20
Mount Pleasant Founded by New Engnds Has nein WKep o
NewPo|iceChief
Is Assured for
Prince Georges
Republicans Elected
To Board Seeking
Experienced Man
By John v. Homer

eject OF Prince Georges County
announced today that they will
appoint county police chief who
is not now member of the de-
partment.
The commissioners thus formal
ly assured the custer of Mai.
Ralph w. Brown, the present
chief, whose record was under
constant attack during the recent
political campaign. Successful Re-
publican candidates charged that
organized gambling is rampant
in the county"
A spokesman said the new chief
will be man with police expert
ence and said he may come from
outside Prince Georges.
Several individuals are under
consideration" he said. I'VE have
received no applications but we
have several men in mind. All
are men of experience"
Spicknall to Preside.
At the same time, it was dis
closed that H. Wilson Spicknall
OF University Park, will serve as
temporary chairman of the COM
missioners' group during their
organization.
Mr.. Spicknall will preside over
conferences to be held by the Re-
publican group at least until De-
cember S, when they take control
OF the county from the Democratic
organization. Whether he will
continue as full-time chairman of
the board after December S has
not been finally decided.
Mr.. Spicknall, who is a former
president of the Hyattsville Town
Council, is represented by friends
as preferring not to take the
$7,20o-a-year job provided by the
Democrat-sponsored Sothoron Act.
John r. Fletcher, chairman Of
the Republican State Central
Committee for Prince Georges and
the incoming State Senator. made
today's announcements.
Will Ask Bids on Survey.
He said the incoming commits
sioners have decided to call for
bids on the cost of making sur
vey Of the county government "as
the first step on the agenda on
taking Office December s."
CIIrh q e1,rxyov, 1onLiS~ &av,o~L .
greater measure of home rule,
was promised in the G. o. P.
platform.
Mr.. Fletcher said the Repub-
lican Party has decided against
making court test of the Sotho-
ron law at this time. The County
League Of Women Voters had
urged that the new governing
group seek an Injunction which
would block operation of provi-
sions of the law.
Our board does not feel it Is
in a position to make a deter
mination of the best course Of
action until it takes Office" said
Mr.. Fletcher. I'VE do not be-
lieve test should be instituted
by the Republican Party. If some
citizen wishes to do so, that is
something else"
Court Action Stunned.
Mr.. Fletcher said he and his
associates are studying the pos
sible effects of legal action versus
legislative action"
He said there is a possibility
that court action would damage
the county. notably with respect
to obligations assumed since the
Sothoron law became effective
July /.
He pointed out that the DEM
ocratic commissioners have sold
$500, 900 worth of school construc-
ton bonds since July /. If the
Sothoron Act should now be de-
clared invalid, he said, this trans
action might be jeopardized and
the county's credit damaged.
On the other hand, said Mr..
pitfalls might be avoid
ed by legislative action. In this
way, if the law is repealed an &C
ceptable substitute might be en-
acted, he commented.
The party platform calls for
repeal Of the law.