Evening star., 1951-02-28
New Bill Curbs
Maryland Unit
OF Planners
Separate Agencies
In Nearby Counties
Proposed by Hyde
By J. B. Zotmon
Stoy Stoff Correspondent

By J. B. Zotmon
Siur Stoff Correspondent
=. ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 28.-For the
third time in five years, proposed
legislation to strip the Maryland.
National Capital Park and Plan.
ming Commission of all its func-
tions except park acquisition ane
development is before the Genera
Assembly.
The proposal, which woulc
transfer the functions to separate
planning agencies in Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties, Ii
contained in one of three bills
introduced yesterday Senator De.
witt s. Hyde. Republican of Mont
gomery County.
The two other measures woulo
permit the Montgomery County
Council to set up a countrywide
planning commission and exempt
the county from the States zon.
ing and planning law.
Meanwhile, another Mont
gomery "horne rule" bill took q
major step forward yesterday
when the Senate Elections Com.
mittee voted unanimously in favor
of a measure that would clear the
way for non-paristan county coun.
Gil elections.
Inspection Bill Advances.
At the same time, the House
passed and sent to the Senate
bill that would bring back com.
puisory motor VEHICLE inspection
hile a bill for nonpartisan elec.
tions of Montgomery Schoo
Boards ran into strong opposition
from DR.. Thomas G. Pullen, jr.
State superintendent of schools, al
a hearing Def >re the House Edu.
cation Committee.
The Senate received a bill from
Louis Phipps, Democrat, of Anne
Arundel County. which would lift
the v, al estate tax from the ars1
$4,000 of a veterans property. The
exemption would begin next yeal
and continue until 1862.
Senator Phipps advanced the
measure as an alternative to 9
bonus. He said ia: relief woulc
provide more benefit than a cash
bonus in an inflated economy.
The Park and Planning Com
mission bill would abolish the
authority over building
and electrical inspection, subdi'"-
sion planning, recreation and zon-
ing recommendations.
Council World Nam Planners.
These duties would be taken
over in Montgomery County by a
planning commission to be ap-
pointed by the County Council
and in Prince Georges County, by
a seven-memher commission to be
named by the Governor. AS a re-
suit, the present Uppe Montgom-
cry Planning Commission would
be abolished and the council would
have authority to extend to the
entire county he powers now ex-
ercised by the ParF and Planning
Commission in the suburban area
The Prince Georges County
Commission would have
only over the suburban
area in that county.
Under the bill, the 7-cent park
tax in Montgomery and the s.
cent park tax in Prince Georges
would be continued, along with
the Scent administrative tax in
both counties. But the scent
Montgomery recreation tax would
be abolished.
The Senate Elections Commit
tees action on the non-partisan
election bill reversed its stand
taken two weeks ago.
The measure, sponsored by
Senator Hyde, would repeal the
Lindsay law prohibiting such elec-
tions and permit the County
Council to amend Montgomery
charter to enable it to pass nom
partisan election legislation.
The proposed amendment would
be submitted to the voters in a
referendum, according to Senator
Hyde.
DR.. Pullen, in his testimony on
the elected. school board bill. based
his opposition on the contention
such a measure would inject poll
tics into the operation of schools
Among those attending the hear
ing was Leslie M. Able, legislative
for the Montgomery
Council of Parent-Teacher Asso-
Citations, who urged favorable ac-
ton on the measure last week.
MIR. Able complained yesterday
that there is no accountability
on the part of the Governor to the
people under the present plan,
which provides for appointment
of school board members by the
Governor.
"You have been getting pretty
good school boards in MONTGOMERY
County, haven't you?" DR.. Pullen
asked.
1--WE are not satisfied" Mr..
Able said. ''I could discuss that
in detail, but I don't think this is
the time or place."
Mrs. Fongmeier Named
To Bethesda Church Post
Mrc Pnhart 10 ovny,aoiar ~