Evening star., 1951-12-18
Delegates Back
Charter Plan for
PrinceGeorges
Give First Reactions
To Report Of Survey;
Agency Heads Dissent
By J. |. Michael

By J. l. Michael
Charter government for Prince
Georges today has the approval
of county commissioners who gave
their views, while three depart
ment heads bitingly attacked rec
concentrations that their agencies
be abolished.
The suggestions are among
those listed in a report summariz-
ing a five-month survey, which
has provoked keen debate In the
county.
II have consistently advocated
home rule" declared Republican
Delegate j. Frank Lillard, jr.,
author of an act that authorized
the study. because the county is
now urban, and its governmental
machinery is outmoded.
"A compelling reason for home
rule is the fact that the Legisla-
ture should not be required to
consider a multitude of local bills
which could be acted on at county
level"
Need Time for Study.
Mr.. Lillard did not comment on
the reports exposition of the need
for professional county man
Iager. He said he needed time to
study the report.
Delegate William r. Hughes
also backed the charter and said
he is 100 per cent for a trained
county manager"
But he said he needs time to
study it, and want to know more
about its author, the Public Ad-
ministration Services"
After ALL" he observed, this
85-page booklet cost citizens S25,-
900. and I think it would be we'll
if we know more about the peo-
pie who prepared it. I may fly
to their Chicago headquarters to
see what kind of an outfit it is"
Neither Mr.. Lillard nor Mr..
Hughes would talk about the re-
ports recommendations for elm
ination of the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and the posts of treas
urer and sheriff, as elective offices.
In "speedball" opinion, States
Attorney Carlyle j. Lancaster said
he believes the latter two changes
could be effected only by amend
ing the State constitution, and
thus appear "ill-advised."
Elimination of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. said Robert M.
Watson, its chairman, "is wrong
from where we sit and would be
a retrogressive, provincial STEP"
Asks Extended Jurisdiction.
"Perusing the reports findings
on the commission, I regarded
, them as commendatory, Mr..
Watkins related, "and thus was
the more amazed at its conclu-
sions."
Citing that planning is needed
in the entire Greater Washington
area, the planning executive urged
that his agencys jurisdiction be
extended as the county grows.
Some areas have asked for such
extensions, he said.
The commission chairman said
letters of support from "incensed
businessmen" have been pouring
Into his office and added, 1--WE have
the backing of builders and other
) groups of men who pay the bills"
Sheriff Carlton G.. Beall, who
was elected on cleanup pledges
and has since waged war on illegal
. liquor. gambling and strip-teasers.
, termed the proposal to courtail
!. his powers "asinine."
, Democrats Reign Criticized.
"Dictators rise to power only
when they control police" he
J charged. land it was on this
] foundation that the Democratic
7 machine we ousted last year built
: it's 26-year domination"
Then Sheriff Beall, a member Of
the county Republican Central
Committee, set forth this allega-
ton:
: For 20 years Democratic sher-
ifs refrained from law enforce
ment, and so we had unrestrain-
4 edly among us Jimmy LaFontaine.
= Mike Myers. Sam Beard, George
: Perry and the old kingpin, Charlie
: Nelson"
Sheriff Beall said he likes the
idea of a strong, unified police
corps-"under my command"
1T should be So" he contended,
because an elected sheriff is di-
rectly responsible to the people,"
Mr.. Lillard said he feels the
sheriff and the county commits
sioners have done we'll with the
administrative tools available.
In view of the sheriff's law-en-
, forcement record" he predicted.
''the people probably would not
! want to see any such change"
County Treasurer Julius B. Nc
Kay would not discuss the plan
to abolish his Office. He said,
however. he believes that merger
of the controllers functions with
. his own would improve the coun-
ty's financial system.
But whatever form such move
might take. the new departments
head should be directly answer
able to the voters"