Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-09
Repub|icdnsAct
ToHeaI Breach
In Montgomery
Three-Hour Session
Held at Rockville
Behind Closed Doors
By ChorIes L. Hoffman

Montgomery County Repub-
lican leaders yesterday attempt
ed to mend their political diff
ferenceS at a closed Rockville
meeting. They repeatedly were
successful.
The meeting between the State
Central Committee, the county
delegation to Annapolis and Sec
rotary of State John r. Reeves
and Representative Dewitt S.
Hyde lasted for about three
hours. Those attending the ses-
sion were tight-lipped. referring
all questions to Walter w. Daw-
son, chairman of the State Gen.
trail Committee.
Mr.. Dawson described the
meeting as harmonious" He
said the legislators and the
county party chiefs had agreed
on the pending Maryland-Na-
tional Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission bill.
Act to Settle Differences.
The meeting yesterday was
called to resolve differences be-
tween State Senator Anders B.
Lofstrand, jr., and the county's
six House members. The dispute
between the Enthusiastically
Chairman j. Douglas Bradshaw
and the Senator has become
increasingly bitter during the
last few weeks.
Mr.. Dawson said the delegation
has agreed to stick to the party
platform and transfer recreation
from the commission to the
county council. He said the plat
form also calls for appointment
Of members of the planning
commission and the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission
to be put in the hands of the
council. The Governor now has
these appointive powers.
Mr.. Dawson said the delegation
will write in a provision. how
ever, that would require the
council to make their appoint
ments of the Montgomery
County members on recommen-
dations of the State Central
Committee. This, he explained,
would make it a party RESPONSE
bility.
Compromise Falls Short.
The compromise falls far short
of the delegations bill in the
House which would abolish the
commission. Neither does 1t
agree with a proposal of Senator
Lofstrand which would leave the
appointment in the hands of the
governor.
Although the official press
statement was one of harmony"
there we're indications that all
differences we're not resolved be-
tween the Senator and the House |
delegation. Mr.. Bradshaw. who |
has pushed the bill to abolish the
Democrat-controlled commission,
has been reluctant to compro-
mise.
There were also reports that
Republican chiefs might clamp
a lid on the Annapolis delega-
ton and name one of the dele
gates or the senator to be spokes-
man for the entire group.
Mr.. Dawson last night said he
and the State Central Commit
tee expected the delegation to
go back to Annapolis and work
together. He said he had re-
fused to permit a discussion to
come UP yesterday before the
committee on two of the Sena-
tors proposed liquor bills. He
said that any member of the
delegation had a right to in
troduce whatever legislation he
desired.
Plans to Introduce Bills.
The Senator has said he
would introduce bills that would
grant Gaithersburg residents the
right to decide whether any al
coholic beverages should be sold
in their area. The second meas
ure he proposed would permit
Silver Spring and Bethesda area
residents the option of deciding
whether they want mixed drinks
served in certain restaurants and
clubs.
Mr.. Dawson said that the only
other matter discussed was the
bill to repeal the Lindsey law to
permit non-partisan elections of
county officials. The Republic
can chief added the bill will be
amended to set up a referendum
to let county residents decide
whether county council members
will be elected on partisan or
non-partlSan basis.
A statement is expected from
Annapolis tomorrow or Wednes-
day on the proposed compromise
bill effecting the planning COM
mission. A subcommittee named
from the joint Montgomery and
Prince Georges delegation will
meet tonight or tomorrow to put
the compromise measure into