Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-04
Two Camps Confer
Today on Planners
Compromise Bill
BY q Stoff Correspondent Of The Stor

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 4.-Repre-
sentatives of the two opposing
views on what to do about the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission were
to sit down together today in an
attempt to work out a compro-
mise.
On one side are State Senators
Anders R. Lofstrand, Republican,
of Montgomery County, and j. R.
Fletcher, Republican, of Prince
Georges. They have proposed
bill to cut the commission tax
rate and expand it's jurisdiction
throughout the two counties.
On the other are four dele
gates representing the Joint
Montgomery and Prince Georges
delegations. They lean more
toward the bill already intro
duced by the joint delegations,
which would, in effect, abolish
the commission and transfer its
functions to the two counties.
It was learned that the COM
mlttee of Delegates has pre-
pared some horse-trading pro-
posals. They oppose extension
of the commissions jurisdiction
but are willing to concede that
it cannot be abolished at this
time.
Would Check on Budget.
One point the delegates prob
ably will insist on is a provision
that the commissions budget be
submitted for approval to the
Montgomery County Council and
the Prince Georges commission
ers. The Montgomery County
delegates also are interested ir
having their three members Of
the six-member commission ap-
pointed by the council. At pres
ent the Governor appoints all siz
members Of the State-controllec
planning agency.
Members of the Delegates
Committee are Delegates Robert
Wallace and Kathryn j. Lawlol
of Montgomery, and j. Frank
Lillard. jr., and Harry E. Taylor
jr., of Prince Georges, all Re-
publicans.
In another development yes.
terday. Senator Lofstrand sale
he is working on a bill to create
a State tax equalization board
which would equalize assess.
ments among Baltimore City anc
the % counties before State
grants are distributed.
Would Review Assessments.
The board, under the bill
would review the county assess
ment systems annually and re-
port the percentage of real value
used as standard by assessing
officers.
Senator Lofstrand said he i
proposing the bill because Of tn,
recent storm of protests over ris
ing assessments in his county
The bill. he feels, will assure hi
county Of "a more equitable
share Of State aid which hop,
will result in some easing of tn,
tax burden in our county"
Senator Lofstrand and Sena
tor Fletcher yesterday changed
their minds, at the last minute
on a promise they had made t,
introduce legislation to opel
public welfare rolls to count,
officials in Montgomery ane
Prince Georges.
Amendments Withdrawn.
The Senator's had said the,
would offer amendments to :
Kent County bill in the Senat.
yesterday. But when the bill
came to the floor, two Senator.
objected that it was becoming
too broad with the inclusion o.
the Montgomery and Primo,
Georges amendments.
The amendments were with.
drawn. Senators Lofstrant
and Fletcher said they will of,
fer separate bills to open vel
fare rolls to county officials il
their counties, "if necessary"
The IF necessary" was addec
because of a bill introduced b,
Senators Stanford Hoff, Repub.
lican. of Carroll County, ans
John Grason Turnbull, Demo.
crat. Of Baltimore County, tt
open up welfare rolls completed,
throughout the State. If tina
bill is successful. it. Of course
would not be necessary for tn,
Washington area Senators II
propose the measures they hay'
| in mind.