Evening star., 1952-03-26
Georges
Heads Praised
For Tax Rate Cui
Citizens Also Loud
Commissioners for
Ruisine Teacher Pay


commissioners prepared today for
a final hearing Friday on the
county's SIS million budget and
$1.98 tax rate.
The record appropriation, based
on a $321 million assessable basis,
will be signed on April 4. OF the
total, $40 million will come from
the county levy and IS million
from the State and other sources.
The tax rate is 2 cents lower
than this year.
For two hours yesterday, the
county heads beamed under COM
mendations. some Of them fervent
and one prayerful. from 200 per-
sons delighted with their approval
of a $500 a year pay raise for
school teachers.
The crowd at the first budget
hearing at Upper Marlboro urged
adoption Of the So million school
budget to provide for the nearly
SO, 900 pupils expected when
classes are resumed after the sum-
|mer holidays. The school popu-
lation now totals $4,000. The de-
|partment's estimate was reduced
only $4,000.
Cuts Questioned.
Under similarly harmonious con-
|ditions, the board approved the
two other department estimates
presented yesterday-$1.5 million
for roads and $500, 1000 for police
expenses.
One jarring note was sounded
Walter F. Mulligan, president Of
the county Civic Federation, and
Mrs. Fanny Epstein Of Hyatts-
vile, questioned the wisdom OF
the commissioners action in trim
ming the current tax rate.
II believe" Mr.. Mulligan said,
that the people would rather
pay So levy than have the bud
get cut. 1.-THE crowd applauded
A total Of 100000 was Topped of
original department requests.
All other budget estimates, in
|cluding those for three new de-
|partments, will be considered al
II am. Friday at Upper Marl-
boro. The new divisions, manda-
tory under existing statutes, are
purchasing, personnel and weights
and measures.
The personnel director, who
must have five years experience
will receive $4,000 a year, the pur-
chasing agent $4,000 and the
weights and measures inspector
$500. The agencies will be in
augurated July /.
s All ALLEGATIONS approved yester-
day and those to be acted on
Friday are tentative, the commits
sioners said. until the budget Is
signed. .
Cerebral Palsy Classes.
County school authorities art
planning to aid children afflicted
with cerebral palsy, Supt. william
IS. Schmidt revealed. Mr.. Schmid1
said two or three rooms will bt
made available for that purpose
at Mount Rainier Elementary
School. The commissioners al.
loted $15.550 for instruction.
Although the commissioner.
Ipruned 100000 of his first esti.
mate, Arthur Tayman, head O
the Department Of Public Works
said his division will have sufd.
lcient funds to operate efficiently
Mr.. Tayman said some mem,
bers Of his department receives
pay increases and that an ad.
vance Of from 80 cents to $1.1l
an hour for laborers will enabl,
the county to compete for avail
able help.
Pay boosts Of varying amount
Throughout the several depart
ments were granted by the com
missioners. with the police top
ping the list. Chief r. ALLIE
Richards, who did not ask for q
increase. was given $500 a yea
more than his present $500 sal
larry.
j New Pay Scale.
!. New police starting scales are
probationary private, 5000; pr
vate, $500, both up $4OO year
lprivate 1/c. $500. as at present
corporal. $4,000: sergeant, $4,000
probationary detective. $4,lO0, tn
latter three grades up $400 each
detective sergeant, $4,000. up $50,
and lieutenant, $4,700, up $700.
The police budget. which wa
lcut $4,000, includes $125. 900 fo
Ia headquarters building in til
lSuitland section. Chief Richard
, who asked for 20 new officers an
, was given authority to hire Il
agreed to the force reduction. q
, said he could so arrange the dutie
; Iof his men that patrol work woul
! mot be adversely affected.
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