Evening star., 1952-01-30
Prince Georges Plans
Weights Office Funds
In Next Budget

= Funds to- establish a county of
fee of weights and measures will
be included in the next fiscal
budget, the Prince Georges County
Commissioners said yesterday.
!. A single inspector, to be trained
'at the University OF Maryland. will.
Fbe employed to operate the office
during the first year. Addition OF
Ia second employe in the new divi-
sion is anticipated in the second
year Of operation.
Thomas E. Latimer. president
of the board of commissioners,
Isaid the county is required TO set
up the Office, under terms of a
bill passed by the Maryland Cen
eral Assembly last year. The
measure provides for joint action
by all Maryland counties with
the University Of Maryland.
Maryland u. to Assist.
Mr.. Latimer announced the
county has been planning TO es-
ltablish. the Office after Paul E
Nystron. sdirector Of the depart
lment of smafRets at Maryland
University, and John e. Manoney
State superintendent Of, weights
and measures. outlined details OF
the State law,
Mr.. Nystron said Che ul1iver-
lsity is. prepared to assist the
county in developing an adequate
weights and measures progranl.
HE said 1t is not intended to
hound" businessmen but to en-
liable a reasonable check on wheth-
er scales and gasoline station
pumps are functioning properly.
Mr.. Nystrom estimated that the
first years operation Of the Of
flee would cost the county about
S., 900.
Problem Of Pay Raises.
| The commissioners also indi-
cated they will tangle with the
problem Of pay increases for
county employees. :
People are quitting right and
left here because they are receiv-
ing starvation wages" Commits
sioner Ned Waters declared.
He said that if the State Legis-
lature does not provide a salary
increase for teachers during the
|einergency session next month";, he
will urge county action to provide
them higher salaries. He said he
lfavors upward adjustment of pay
scales for all county employees
this year.
Meanwhile the commissioners
took under advisement q report
from the board of directors Of the
Prince Georges General Hospital
It showed that last December. the
hospital operated at deficit OF
,I$8,920.
"The hospitals cash position is
now a matter of immediate con-
'Icern to U.S." David M. McNamee
assistant superintendent and
treasurer, declared in a letter to
the commissioners.
Cash Tied Up In Debts.
j "To put 1t simply, our cash Is
|, tied up in debts owed u.s."
He said funds are owed by char
'Eity patients, budgetapaying pa.
t|tients; and the State. throl its
hospital aid program. The os-
pitfalls cash deposits wel~ S.o3 on
December 81. he asserted. He
raised the possibility that the
5lcounty-owned institution may not
Ibe able to meet a payroll within
the next six months.
! The commissioners agreed I'd
meet with the hospital board on
February 20 to discuss finances
and a controversial general county
survey report, which suggest
abolition Of the hospitals board
Iof directors.
The commissioners voted TO- aE-
tcept Frank Brigug1io Of Capitol
Heights, chairman Of the Fire
Control Board Committee Of the
Volunteer Firenaen's Association.
las the liaison man between the
commissioners and the board He
succeeds Karl A. Young who died
recently.