Evening star., 1951-03-02
Prince Georges
Groups Assai|
Substitute Bill
| COP. and Federation
| Attack Proposal to
| SuppIont Sothoron Ac

&AeSSN sSF~S ~
SuppIont Sothoron Act
Opposition to the proposed
legislative substitute for the
Sothoron Act. under which Prince
Georges County Is governed, was
expressed at two separate meet
ings last night Of the county
Republican club and the county
civic federation.
The proposal introduced into
the Maryland House Of Delegates
this week by Delegate Frank Lii
lard. jr., is so far from the
measure the federation would like
to see that the civic group wants
its local government committee
to draft another version.
The feeling of the federation
was expressed last night at the
regular March meeting IN the
County Service Building, Hyatts-
vile.
Mrs. Reuben Bogdanoff. chair
man of the local government COM
mittee, went over the Lllard bill
section by section last night and
arrived at the following con-
clusions on behalf of her COM
mittee:
The bill should be amended to
abolish the Office Of full-time
county commissioner.
Bureau Chiefs Proposed.
The proposed department Of
public works, county purchasing
Office and department Of the
budget should be headed by chiefs
rather than the full-time COM
missioner.
i The policy-making features Of
the government should be sep
arated from the administrative by
appointment of the county man.
ager.
The proposed personnel board.
rather than being composed Of
the five commissioners. should be
made up of nonpartisan members
who do not hold elective Office
and whose terms would be
staggered.
But Brendan O'Dwyer of the
Landover Hills Citizens Associa-
ton proposed a substitute motion,
arguing:
why should we take a position
on any bill pending the coming
survey of the county government,
Except possibly legislation that Is
necessary"
Resolution Adopted.
Mr.. ODwyer's resolution, which
was adopted by the federation.
gave the job of writing substitute
somewhat on the lines suggested
: in the local government committee
report" to that committee.
The substitute was not passed
without dissents, however. Daniel
Greene, chairman of the legisla-
l tive committee, asserted the full
time commissioners post cannot
: be abolished until the end Of the
current four-year term.
you've got to wait four years
from now to have a county man
ager," Mr.. Greene said.
Frank Trolle Of the Riverdale
, Heights Association, pointed out
that the federation is on record
favoring the survey, and declared.
, I'VE are making fools out of our
selves by coming in with ideas
before the survey is held"
Teacher Raises Backed.
In other actions, the federation
j.; urged Gov. McKeldin to support
ANY legislation" that will raise
teachers salaries to meet cost Of
living standards; indorse the SEN
ate bill that would put teeth in
the State weights and measures
law; requested the State Public
Service Commission to hold a pub
lie hearing on a proposal Of the
Capital Transit Co., to change
bus routes and service In the
Hyattsville and Greenbelt area.
and asked the county legislative
delegation to introduce a bill
calling for a State constitutional
convention.
Two other resolutions COM
mended the county commissioners
for prompt and realistic action"
on the survey and favored the
proposed $4,000 budget of the
County Recreation Board for next
year
The Republican club passed O
resolution requesting public
hearing on the Lillard proposal.
The COP group voiced opposi-
tion to two provisions Of the pro-
posed bill In particular, the one
setting up an Office of county
architect and the other putting
the department of public works.
the purchasing Office and the de-
partment of the budget all under
q full-time county commissioner.
Edwin A. Glenn, newly elected
!, president Of the Republican club.
said the country could not afford
a good architect because good ones
cost 100000 to $4,000 a year..
He said the club does not object
to having a full-time county COM
missioner. but he should not bs
overloaded" as the pending legis-
lation would make him.