Evening star., 1952-05-14
Prince Georges
Heads Agree 10
|2-County Survey
Final Approval
Awaits Estimate
Of Costs Involved


Prince Georges and Montgomery
Counties today have the approval
Of the Prince Georges commits
sioners.
The county heads agreed yester-
day, in Upper Marlboro, to con-
slider a proposal to join Montgom-
cry County and the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan-
ming Commission in the project.
They named Arthur w. TaymaN.
head of the Department of Public
Works. to cooperate with a COM
mittee made up of staff members
of the planning commission.
Montgomery County has taken
similar action. A comparable
survey of Arlington County has
been completed.
The Prince Georges commission
ers made it clear. however, that
their final approval will depend
largely on the amount of money
involved.
Recalls $4,000 Probe.
I'VE are ticklish about surveys, I"
remarked Commissioner Daniel A.
Abbott. He recalled that a re-
Gently completed probe of county
governmental administration cost
$25 900.
1T wasn't worth it." he declared.
any competent attorney with a
little help in research, could have
handed in a report as we'll, or
oetter, at much less expense"
His viewpoint was supported by
the other four commissioners.
First phases of the projected
economic survey. as explained by
Fred w. Tuemmler, the commits
Sion's planning director, include
preparation of an outline, deter
nination of scope and a cost
estimate.
Mr.. Tuemmler said he believes
The cost, which would be shared by
the three participants, will be be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000. He sug.
gested that the survey be con-
Quoted by the University of Mary
and Bureau of Economic Research.
Benefits Cited.
The two other members of the
planning commissions commit.
lee, William c. Burrage, a planning
engineer, and j. B. Zatman, pub
llicity director, helped advocate tho
proposal.
Mr.. Tuemmler said the bi-county
survey would attempt to ascertain
proper land use methods and would
aid accurate forecasting of future
Tax revenues. 1t would also assist,
he asserted. in predicting future
expansion and development Of,
effective measures to encourags
business enterprise. "
Commissioner H. Wilson Spick-'
nall, who has urged a rezoning
policy that would enable CONNER
cial interests to obtain desirable
sites, seized the opportunity to
expound his views.
II think $4,000 could better be
spent in educating residents to
the point where they will ap-
prove establishment of industrial
plants" he said. THAT is the
only way we can give the people
the things they want and must
have"
"A survey would provide basic
facts for such an education" MIR.
Tuemmler replied.
Accuracy Questioned.
Commissioner w. Everett Mar
ton questioned the possibility of
accurate forecasts under what he
called the unusual conditions of
today.
I'VE are hampered by uncer-
tainty," he said. For instance.
would building cease or slow down
if the Korean war ended sud-
denly?"
Mr.. Tuemmler said he did not
think so.
"The need for a survey has been
with us a long time" he declared.
I'VE are stumbling in the dark"
In another action the commis-
Sloners directed their counsel to
complete arrangements for pur-
chase of a ll2-acre site in Seat
Pleasant for the county's new po-
lice headquarters building. The
structure, for which $125, 900 has
been allotted for land and build
mgs. will be located in the 400
block of Addison road. The land
will cost about $4,000.
Site Reported Favored.
Approval was given by the coun-
ty heads Van Moreland, Mayor Of
Seat Pleasant. said four of the five
town councilmen and most busi-
nessmen of the community favor
the site selected. He added that
some of the 104 persons who signed
an opposing petition have changed
their minds.
Extension of a Permit for a car
nival operated last week on Ager
road near Riggs road for the bene-
fit of the Chillum- -Adelphi Volun-
teer Fire Department was refused
because of a legal requirement
that carnival applications be filed
two weeks in advance of openings.
Another motion affecting car
nivals was adopted by the board.
It requires that signs be placed at
carnival sites before ap-