Evening star., 1950-05-31
Action on Bonds
Due in Councils
Final Session
ST Million Hospital
And Bethesda Porkinq
Lots Also on Aeendo
BY John v. Homer.

ASAAoAAAVd Ava bAlC AtAltAOilLCAy
County Council today as IL en-
tered the final 1850 legislative
session.
The council reached the late
crush of business after long and
stormy session yesterday in which
1t voted a countrywide system OF
libraries and exchanged sharp re-
marks about the size of new bond
issues.
The controversial library bill
was enacted into law. 5 to >, after
being denounced by Councilman
Thomas c. Kelley. His comments
on the bill sponsored by Mrs.
Ralph E. Himstead constituted
one Of the major disSentS heard
since the council took office Is
months ago.
School Bond Criticized.
A short time later Council
President Frederic P. Lee followed
suit with sharp criticism of a bill
to authorize a $7.395, 900 bond is
sue for school construction in the
next fiscal year. He told the
council the amount is SO million
more than the Board of Educa-
ton. a year ago. said it would
need for 1901.
The bond issue bill was intrd-
duced by Mrs. HimStead and J.
Douglas Bradshaw. OF the So
asa, 900 total, it provides $7.395, 900
for schools. another ST ,230, 900 for
a county office building in Rock
vile and 1929 900 for roads and
similar projects.
Mr.. Lee emphasized that he is
not opposed to needed school
construction. On the contrary,
he said, he believes in pushing the
building program with utmost
rapidity.
The council president held.
however, that the point at issue
was standing by an agreement be-
tween the Board of Education. the
county manager and the council
just a year ago. At that time. he
observed. a five-year capital out
lay budget for schools was ap-
proved. This called for the ex-
penditure in 1901 of $4,563 500.
Mr.. Lee said it is time to limit
bond authorizations unless posi-
tive justification can be demon
strated, He was supported by
Councilman Kelley. Mrs. Him
stead argued that the authoriza-
tion of bonds is not the same as
appropriating money. She said
it is better to have a reasonably
high ceiling and decide later how
much should be spent. A ma
jority agreed with her.
At Mr.. Lees suggestion, the
council deferred final action un-
til today so it can obtain infor.
nation from the school author
tiles and bond attorneys.
Before the bond debate ended,
however, Mrs. Himstead tried to
eliminate from her own bill the
issue for county building. Her
moClOn was defeated.
To Name County Librarian.
The library law calls for ap-
pointment of a county librarian
and Library Board. The librar-
ian is charged with the RESPONSE
bility of developing the county,
wide system.
Existing private libraries have
the option of entering the system
at pleasure. If and when Be-
thesda joins, the 9-cent library
tax there will be repealed and the
community levy will go on a slid
ing scale, with adjustments for
county and suburban rates. Under
this provision. the total tax will
not exceed 8 cents on the 500
valuation.
Silver Spring has indicated it
wants to join the county system
as soon as possible. Mrs. Himstead
said.
Special provisions are made for
Takoma Park. which lies partly
in Prince Georges County. Under
the new law, if the city does not
join the Montgomery library sys-
tenn. the county would collect a
library tax but refund the money
to the city treasurer.
Would Pay County Same Sum.
II the community elects to join
the system, it would pay the coun-
ty the same amount that would
be raised by a library tax on
Takoma Park residents living
across the Prince Georges line.
Councilman Kelley compliment
ed Mrs. Himstead for the art"
she had shown in fashioning the
complicated library bill.
But" he said, "the lady's art
has become artificial. The bill
is contrary to good government.
We are asked TO set up a system
under the control of people not
elected by the voters and not
responsible to this council. The
system depends upon their whims.
ANY one who pay a Subscrip-
ton fee can obtain any and all
books he wants. I know of a club
that supplies books at less than
So year to its members, and
they receive over so books a year"
The council passed a much
watered-down version of the Ju-
venile Court bill. 1t eliminated a
provision which would have au-
thoriZed a full-time judge paid
$4,000 annually. Mrs. HimStead
said the Legislature should be
urged to authorize a Circuit Court
judge for juvenile cases.
Other measures passed yester-
day dealt with regulations for
building permits, tax exemptions
for tangible property in the
business district of Silver Spring.
prohibition on obscene language
over the telephone. fines for false
reports to police and authority for
the county to remove traffic
hazards at property owners ex-
pense.