Evening star., 1950-05-25
Medical Center
Bonds MdyGoto
County Voters
Montgomery Moy Ask
People About Plan
To Ruise ST Million


Montgomery County voters may
oe asked this fall 10 decide
whether 81 million in bonds
should be issued to help finance
/ county medical center.
At the same time, public ap-
oroval may also be sought for
other pending bond issue pro-
ooSalS.
At public hearins last night
n Rockville on a bill authorizing
The County Council TO issue bonds
Tor a medical center. Council
President Frederic P. Lee dis
closed that legal ruling is "ex-
pected in few days" on whether
referendum clauses in enabling
legislation for county bonds are
valid
Coffman Raises Question,
If the ruling is favorable. Coun-
Gilman Harold F. Hammond dis
closed, the Council will consider
letting the voters decide the Ques-
ton of whether the proposed
center should be financed
out Of general county funds. The
public also might be asked TO pass
on some other bond issue pro-
posals. he said.
The referendum question on the
center was raised by Roy
NJ. Coffman. Silver Spring real
estate man. who expressed the
view passage Of pending medical
center legislation at this time
would be inadvisable.
Mr.. Coffman also claimed there
had been inadequate time 70 study
the bill, which was introduced last
Friday and that those attending
last nights hearing did not repre-
sent all the people of the county.
Bill Gets Support.
At the three-how hearing. at
tended by about so persons, lead
ers Of the Silver Spring Hospital
Association strongly supported
Councilman Hammond's bill CALL
ing for a $4,000 appropriation
after July to prepare prelim-
mary plans for the medical center.
His measure also would author
re the Council to issue ST million
n bonds for construction of the
150-bed center, as well
rs accept title to a 25-acre tract
at Forest Glen road and Sligo
Creek parkway. now owned by Vle
Silver Spring Hospital Associa-
ton. for use as the medical CEN
,er site.
The bonds may not be issued.
however, until after the title
transfer and an additional $780,
300 is raised in Federal or other
funds.
In addition, the bill sets up q
l0-member Board of Governors
to operate the institution.
Hammond Proposal Opposed.
The spokesman for Suburban
Bethesda. was Francis w.
Hill. jr., chairman of the hospitals
Board OF Trustees. who termed the
Hammond proposal "a tremendous
burden on the county and entirely
He argued that private enter
prise should be given the chance
10 provide for all county medical
needs.
Councilman Hammond replied
hat he doubted that private in
,erests could do the job This be-
ief was echoed by several speakers
If the Silver Spring Hospital AS
ISOLATION.
Mr.. Hill said. however. that SUBJ
Urban Hospital officials are willing
% cooperate with the county in
better hospital facilities.
Delay Requested.
Some spokeSmen asked for a de-
ay to allow more time to iron out
questions. including that of site.
Silver Spring Hospital Association
speakers urged use of their tract
md DR.. Mark v. Ziegler. medical
director of Public Health Service
md head of the county's Hospital
Facilities Advisory Committee.
argued for locating the center on
1ast-West highway near Sixteenth
street.
Those asking for a delay in
GUIDED: Mrs. Tobias Naftalin, rep
'esenting the county League Of
Women Voters; DR.. Harold p. Nor
is, Woodside Park Civic Associa-
ion; DR.. Irene Barrett, Bethesda
physician, and Mrs. Mary Mitchell
Of the planning council. Com
nunity Chest and Council.
Arguing for approval Of the
Hammond bill and use of the For
est Glen road site were Ralph D.
Boyd. Walter Broening. Stanley
Pearson, Donald Staley Robert T.
Bernard Burdick, all OF the
Silver Spring Hospital Associa-
ton, as well as Sam Fig, Silver
Spring land developer, Einar B.
Christensen. president of the Sill
yer Spring Board of Trade: DR..
Peter Lombard and DR.. Frank A.
lack, Silver Spring physicians:
Lawrence L. Epperson of Argyle
Citizens Association. and H.
Stine of Seven Oaks
Manor Citizens Association.