Evening star., 1951-07-18
Parking LOT Bill
Veto Hearing
Set Council
| Terms of Bethesda
| Measure Protested
| By J. R. Miller

The montgomery County Coun-
Gil today had before it a request
to veto the Bethesda parking lot
bill.
The request, the first affecting
any of the 10 measures passed
by the council last May, was con-
tanned in letter received by
the county heads yesterday from
James r. Miller, Rockville at
torney.
Mr.. Miller also asked for a hear
ing at which property-owners
whom he said he represents can
present reasons why the bill
should not become law.
Under the county charter, all
bills adopted by the council go
on the statute books on August
is, unless vetoed by majority
vote before that date.
The council set a hearing for
9 pm. July 26 in the Rockville
Courthouse. although Council
men George F. Nesbitt and Harold
F. Hammond contended Mr.. Miller
should have given some specific
reasons for his request. But they
agreed the council is obligated to
hold the hearing.
Hits Amendment.
Mr.. Miller later told reporters
he based his opposition to the
measure on the councils action in
amending the bill without giving
Bethesda merchants an opportun-
ity to appear.
He said the amendment pro-
vides that. to claim exemption
from the special parking lot tax,
businessmen must operate their
own parking facilities adjacent
to or directly opposite their stores.
According to Mr.. Miller, this
provision would create a financial
hardship on many merchants who
already have bought land for
parking purposes. but which is not
opposite or adjacent to their
stores.
He also objected to another
clause. which requires that such
lots must be open to the public
in order to permit the owner to
be exempt from the special tax.
This, in effect. would force the
merchant to keep the lot open
"a hours a day, Mr.. Miller con-
tended.
Finally, Mr.. Miller contended
the bill would make the cost of
acquiring parking lott prohibitive,
because it limits the sites to COM
mercially zoned property.
Home Areas Eliminated.
Originally, the bill would have
permitted the county to buy public
parking lots in residential areas,
but this was eliminated over the
protests of Mrs. Stella Werner,
the measures sponsor.
Mrs. Werner recalled yesterday
she had voted against the bill in
its final form and said she will
join Mr.. Miller in urging that il
be vetoed.
Il think it was sneak legisla-
ton because there was no hearine
on the amendments before the
council adopted the bill," she as
serted.
In other business, the council
set hearings for, 8 pm. and 8:4s
pm. August 9 in the courthouse
on proposals to improve two sec.
tions OF Schuyler road, Silver
Spring.
One Of the projects would start
at Flower avenue and continue to
a point about $50 feet east OF
Sudbury road. at an estimated
cost Of $7.721. The other would
start at a point ITS feet east of
Walden road and continue to the
|end Of the dedicated right-of-way
The estimated cost is $1S,158
Both projects would include side
walks.
Two to Attend Hearing.
Mr.. Nesbitt and Finance Direc-
tor Alexander K. Hancock were
instructed to represent the county
at a hearing next Wednesday In
Annapolis before a State Legisla-
tive Council subcommittee which
lis making study of teachers
salaries. The hearing will be held
at 10 am. in the State House.
Taken under advisement was q
letter from Gov. McKeldin urging
Officials Of all Maryland counties
to make fuel purchases as early al
possible this year. The Governor
said he has been informed by the
Government there is danger o1
fuel shortages throughout the
country next winter because Of
anticipated heavy demands or
transportation facilities for de.
fense purposes.
Approval was given the Kensing.
ton Fire Departments proposal tx
erect q substation at Georgia anc
Henderson avenues. The depart.
ment has bought the site fol
$1,000.
School Project Bids