Evening star., 1953-01-22
Bill 10 Abolish
Maryland Plans
Body Is Drawn
Montgomery to Ask
Prince Georges Unit
To Study Proposal
BY Gene Goodwin
,Sfcr SfuH Correspondent

OV 0SUS 0VOOWaU
Sfcr Sfoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS. Jan. %. - The
first draft of the controversial
measure to abolish the Mary
and-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission was in the
hands of the Montgomery Coun-
ty legislative delegation here
today.
The next step is to present il
to the Prince Georges County
delegation in joint meeting.
where it is expected to run into
its first opposition,
Then it will be introduced in
the General Assembly. probably
on the House side. The Mont
gomery legislators are now map
ping a strategy which they hope
will at least get the bill out Of
committee. where it died the
three previous times it was in
troduced--in 1947, l949 and 1851.
Montgomery County Attorney
David @. Macdonald presented
his draft on the 1853 version Of
the proposal to the delegation
at meeting here yesterday.
Three Bills Necessary.
Three separate bills are re-
Quired to bring the Montgomery
section of the bi-collnty planning
agency under county control--a
key maneuver in the Republican
program to give Montgomery as
much home rule as possible.
AS Mr.. Macdonald outlined
his bills. they would:
Abolish the planning commits.
sion as 1t now exists and give
the Montgomery County Council
power to create its own county
wide planning agency.
Set up a Prince Georges Coun-
ty Planning Commission of seven
members, appointed by the Gov
ernor tthis provision was in the
1851 bill at the request of the
Prince Georges delegation,
which may desire a different
set-up in the current measurel.
Create a bi-county planning
authority, with six members,
three from each county planning
agency. which would make rec
concentrations on bi-countys
planning projects and acquire
stream park lands with funds
under the Federal Caper-C Cram.
1 ton Act.
| Permit the bi-county author
ity to levy the present park tax
now levied by. the planning COM
mission maximum of z cents
in Montgomery and S cents in
Prince Georges-but abolish the
other two planning commission
taxes for recreation and admin
iStration.
| The proposals, as drafted by
Mr.. Macdonald, do not spell
out any precise form for the new,
Montgomery Planning Commits
sion. It's size and duties would
be left up to the county council.
Would Settle Armory Dispute.
One effect Of the proposed
transfer not previously brought
to light is that 1t automatically
would settle the dispute between
the planning commission and
the county council over title to
the valuable tract of land be-
hind the Silver Spring armory.
| Mr.. Macdonald pointed out
that. If the bills are approved,
the armory lot. as we'll as other
buildings and properties Of the
planning commission. would be
turned over to the council.
Delegate Perry o. wilkinson,
one Of two Democrats on the
Seven-man Prince Georges dele
cation. gave notice that he win
oppose the Montgomery pro.
posal.
Appointment Powers Asked.
Mr.. Macdonald also tossed out
another controversial measure
for more hoh.o rule-a bill to-
allow the Montgomery Council
to appoint two members of the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission. His bill would in
crease the commission to five
members. with the Governor ap-
pointing a chairman and two
Prince Georges members. and the
Montgomery Council appointing
the other two.
Mr.. Macdonald said the legis-
lation was recommended by the
council. The delegation took the
measure under advisement, how
ever. and Mr.. Bradshaw said it.
too. would have to be presented
to the Prince Georges legislators.
This BILL" he added, els not
the present considered judgment
Of the delegation"
Another bill presented by the
county attorney would allow ap-
peals to the Maryland Court
of Appeals from Montgomery
County Board Of Appeals cases.
At present. cases heard by the
board. which handles coming ex-
ceptions and variances. can be
appealed only to the Montgomery
County Circuit Court, and no
further.
Would Permit Road Jobs.
Still another measure would
allow Montgomery County to
construct roads through In
corporated areas. II those areas
gave their consent. and charge
abutting property owners a pro-
portionate share Of the costs.
Mr.. Macdonald explained that
the county now builds roads
only up to the corporate limits
Of towns. Then sometimes the
towns build their parts Of the
roads. and sometimes they don't.
The delegation. In other ac-
tions yesterday, voted to have q
bill drafted to repeal the Lind
say law and authorize nonparti-
san elections to the Montgomery