Evening star., 1951-01-12
eRu|eP|ans
Of Montgomery
AreAdvanced
County's Delegation
Meets With McKeIdin
On School Boord Issue
By J. B. Zotmon
Star Sfoff Correspondent

Star Sfcff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 12.-Mont-
gomery County's all-Republican
delegation will launch its home
rule legislative program next week
by introducing at least six bills.
including one for an elected school
board.
The delegation made its deci-
sion yesterday after a 30-minute
conference with Gov. McKeldin
concerning reports that, earlier in
the day. he had said he favored
continuation of the present ap-
pointive system.
Meanwhile, the General AS
sembly, before adjourning until 8
pm. Monday. received bill by
Senator Louis N. Phipps. Demo-
crat. of Anne Arundel, calling for
a SIS million bond issue to erect a
State Office building in or near
Annapolis.
Part of Annapolis Campaign.
The measure is part of CAM
paign by Annapolis leaders to re-
tain the city as State capital in
fact as we'll as in name. Their
efforts recently succeeded in re-
turning to Annapolis State tax
Offices which had been transferred
to Baltimore.
Two other bills presented to the
Senate would repeal the States
Jim Crow Negro segregation law,
which now is enforced only on
Chesapeake Bay ferries, and pro-
vide that death sentences be car
ried out in gas chamber. rather
than by hanging. as at present.
The Senate also completed its
organization by having Senate
President George Della appoint
members to II committees.
Appointive Boards Favored.
The Republican Governor ex-
pressed his attitude on the method
of selecting school board meln-
bers at his first press conference.
Asked whether he favored a
Montgomery County proposal for
an elected board, he said:
My general feeling is that such
boards should be appointed,
rather than elected"
News of his remarks soon spread
to the Montgomery legislators. one
of whose principal pledges during
last years campaign was to spon-
sor legislation for an elected school
board. Such a system also Is
strongly supported by the County
Council of Parent-Teacher Asso-
Citations.
The, Montgomery delegation de-
cieed to meet with the Governor.
After the conference the dele
cation said he had promised to
support the bill. The group
quoted him as saying he was
speaking only lin general" when
he expressed his opinion on the
question.
Other County Bills.
The other Montgomery bills to
be introduced next week would:
Transfer electrical and building
inspection functions from the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission to the
County Council.
Repeal the Lindsay law, which
prohibits nonpartisan elections of
council members in counties hav-
ing a charter form OF government.
Montgomery is the only such
county in Maryland.
| Authorize the County Council
to appoint members of the liquor
board. They now are named by
the Governor.
Increase beer license fees
charged by the liquor board.
/ The delegation deferred action
on proposal to authorize States
Attorney Walter w. Dawson Of
Montgomery County to appoint a
deputy to act in his place when
he is Ill or out of town.
$4,000 Salary Provided.
The measure, which was re-
quested by Mr.. Dawson, provides
that the deputy would receive at
least $4,000 a year. The County
Council could increase the amount.
Mr.. Dawson has an assistant,
but the latter is prohibited from
going before the grand jury when
it is in session. The assistant re-
ceives $500 a year.
/ Before taking action on the pro-
posal, the delegation decided to
ask the Montgomery Bar Associ-
alton for an opinion and to seek
public reaction.
The group agreed to introduce
a bill which would exempt the
Montgomery County General Hos
pital at Sandy Spring from taxa
ton.
Senate committee appointments
include:
John r. Fletcher Republican, Of
Prince Georges banking. insurance and
social security. and Joint committee of
49, De witt S. Hyde, Republican. of Mont
gomery banking, insurance and social
security. Joint committee of Investigation
and education.