Evening star., 1952-04-19

Cure OF Alncoln, ne commented.
"That would be q bad omen."
Hearing on Home Rule
For Prince Georges
Turns Into Hot Debate
A scheduled discussion of home
rule for Prince Georges County
was virtually sidetracked at a
public hearing yesterday as coun-
Fty commissioners took the floor to
lambast the proposal for a county
manager.
Commissioners Daniel A. Abbott
and H. Wilson Spicknall hurled
charges of dictatorship" at the
manager plan.
In smoother tones, Commission
Ter Edward j. Waters told the
hearing the manager plan "tends
to take power away from the
people"
Mrs. Anne Cadman Of Oxon
Hill, a director Of the County
League of Women Voters, re-
marked to reporters after the
meeting:
1--WE understood the purpose of
this hearing was to let the public
express its views, not to let it
be a sounding board for the
county commissioners"
Hearing Opens Heatedly.
The hearing got of to a heated
start as Walter F. Mulligan, vet
eran president of the county civic
federation, objected to the COM
missioners arguing with wit
nesses" after the first testimony.
Only about 80 people attended
the hearing on conclusions drawn
by a Chicago firm, which COM
IpJeted a $4,000 governmental
survey of the county.
Lines were clearly drawn, with
the youthful and newer residents
supporting the county manager
plan and older residents and. the
commissioners opposing it. ii.
And carrying the, ball for the
change in government were the
women. most of them still in their
20s. : ~
Mrs. Bess Lavine Of 21O6 Wood
berry street, West Hyattsville,
asked for a change to a "scien-
tific form Of government" She
said the county needs q hired
professional to administer policies
of a county council.
Mr.. Waters countered with a
charge that professionals demand
high salaries and have iron-clad
contracts. Some of their contracts
run for -four, six or 16 years." he
added.
Commissioners Tenure Cited.
Mrs. Ruth Hemphill of Forest
Heights reminded the commission
erS there is no way of getting rid
Of them during their four-year
terms.
Mrs. Hemphill protested state
ment from Mr.. Abbott that a
county manager could fire the
police chief if he didn't like his
looks. She said that under q merit
system, the tenure Of county en-
ployes would be protected.
Mr.. Abbott firmly declared mo
one man has the brains" to do the
work of the commissioners and
the county Offices that would be
abolished under the surveys
proposals.
Asked what the county manager
form was, Mr.. Waters replied: "A
streamlined form. It's an attempt
to speed up government"
He added it would mean the
county could come into a resi-
dents yard and tear it up without
notice and then tell him to sue
the county if he didn't like it.
Under our form of govern
ment," he said, "the little delays
are the price we pay for life.
liberty and the pursuit Of happi-
ness"
Sees Rural Opposition.
Mr.. Abbott told the hearing
every one he had talked with in
Montgomery County wants to set
rid Of the county manager form.
He said the rural sections Of
Prince Georges would oppose the
plan.
II have no objection to home
rule" he said. I'VE are not ad-
vocating home rule, however; we
simply are not opposing it."
Mrs. Bryna Kulla, 2201 Wood
berry street, said a change in gov
eminent is needed so proper re-
sponsibilities could be ,'ut IN
proper places.
Four witnesses, oil who claimed
long residency in the county. said
they are satisfied with present
conditions.
Mrs. Ralph J. Shelter, Of 4207
Colesville road, director of the
County Animal Rescue League.
charged small minority groups are
agitating for a change.
Mr.. Spicknall, although cppos-
ing the manager form, called the
present system archaic as the
laws of Moses" He said there is
q definite need for more nome
rule.
A third and final hearing on
the survey will be held at 8 pm.
May 81 in Suitland School.