Evening star., 1952-01-26
Prince Georges Board
To Be Represented at
Area Transport Talks

Prince Georges county WILL De
represented officially when Dis
trict area transportation problems
are discussed at 8 pm. Wednesday
in the Arlington County court
house. St
One or more Commissioners VIII
attend, the Prince Georges board
indicated yesterday, after re-
|versing Tuesdays action refusing
|official representation.
The board. voted unanimously
yesterday. after members ex-
planned they had declined an in
vitation from the Arlington Public
Utilities Commission because they
had not fully understood the pur-
pose Of the meeting.
The chief topic on Wednesdays
|agenda is a proposed Interstate
Commerce Commission probe OF
Washington area bus service.
Resolutions authorizing such an
inquiry are pending in both Houses
of Congress.
May Reverse Action.
In debate on area questions, the
commissioners indicated they may
reverse recent ruling which dis
approved proposed reorganization
of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. They are
scheduled to decide next Friday.
Some observers believed the
commissioners reacted favorably
when their attorney. c. Calvert
Lancaster, informed them yester-
day that such revamping, in his
opinion, would give the board a
larger voice in planning matters.
rather than limit their influence.
Another action shifted the date
for a public hearing on Southern
Prince Georges planning matters
from February 90 to March 6.
React to "Encroachment. /"
Discussions of area problems
reached high note when all the
commissioners except II. Wilson
Spicknall, who was absent, pre-
sented a determined front against
envisioned "encroachment" on
Prince Georges territory.
Commissioner Edward j. Waters
sounded the battle cry with an
assertion that Il have. in the last
two days, read in the press pro-
posal by a District of Columbia
Commissioner, calling for closer
coordination between the Dis
trict and nearby county govern
mentS."
Speaking on a point Of personal
privilege, Mr.. Waters queried:
"Could this be the first definite
step toward bringing to fact that
which rumor has said for years
1--WE must watch for Federal
ercroachment. No one in his right
mind wants to see such a thing"
"It is our duty" said Commis-
sioner w. Everett Marion, "to pre-
serve the sovereign rights OF our
political subdivisions"
Would Watch All Signs.
"We must watch every 'devel-
opment," Commissioner Daniel A.
Abbott remarked, ito detect any
thing, open or hidden, which Sa-
vors of Federal encroachment. "
Mr.. Waters said he understood
that a conference on the subject
has been planned. and added:
Each Of us must give this our
most solemn thought. We could
easily take an action in one morn
ing or afternoon which might take
the people and future elected Of
ficials a quarter Of q century to
undo
Calling on his colleagues to
stand firm in opposition to fur
ther creeping expansion of Fed
eraf controls, voice or jurisdic-
ton in Prince Georges" Mr..
Waters warned that:
within the next several months.
we win be called upon TO make
and take definite stands
Of paramount importance. II the
decisions we make in this crucial
period are unwise and are not
based on the true American sys-
tenn Of self-government, there
surely will be q calamity In our
beloved county. "