Evening star., 1954-09-20
Democrats Hif
6. @. P. Record
-
lnMonfgonlerY
Failure to Secure
State School Aid
Attacked in Platform

BY chorIes [. Hoffman

publican administration that has
held Office for eight years, today
fired a broadside at the COP
controlled county council and
the "do-nothingism" of the
county's delegation at Annapolis.
The sweeping attack on Re-
publican policies came IN an
eight-page tabloid published un-
der authority of the Democratic
State Central Committee.
The publication went to the
more than $4,000 homes in the
county.
The Democrats attacked what
they termed the .loose irrespon-
sible fiscal policies and the
mountain of technical regula-
tions that has come to be known
as county government.
Aid for School System.
At the same time the Demo-
Gratis scored the failure of the
Republican delegation at An
l1apolis to secure State aid for
the county's school system.
The attacks were accompanied
by a 10-point platform in which
the Democratic candidates prom.
ised to provide a cure for the
countfy's growing pains.
The blistering attack on the
G. 0. p. record came as no sur
prise as Democratic spokeSmen
had made it clear they would
wage rough-and- tumble cam
paign to take over State and
county posts.
Charges Listed.
OF the Republican council, the
Democrats had these things to
say:
/. Millions of schools dollars"
from the State have been lost
because of the country's high
assessment policies.
2. Hundreds of dollars" have
been wasted because of loosely
drawn and unworkable legiSla-
tion.''
8. An iron curtain of secrecy"
has surrounded many discussions
and decisions and then produced
a "well-rehearsed discussion
leading to decision in public"
4. Inconsistency and unfair
ness" was manifested in the de-
cision to charge abutting prop
erty owners for sidewalks along
Georgia avenue while they were
put in at county expense along
Wisconsin avenue.
5. Council duties have been
delegated to appointive boards
over which voters have no con-
troll.
6. The council created the Up
per County Planning Commits
sion against the will of the peo-
pie and then made suburban
residents pay for 85 per cent of
its costs.
Secrecy on New Building.
z. Secrecy has been main
tained in the cost of the new
county building which the DEM
ocrats charge was. So million,
more than twice the forecast.
8. The council has tried to
get out from under" it's role Of
zoning authority for the county
but backed down under public
opposition.
The Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission, comprising
three Republican members, was
accused of having public be-
damned attitude" with a mania
for secrecy"
The Democratic candidates in
their platform said much of the
weakness of the Republican adj
ministration was due to "indi-
vidual stubbornness and inability
to get along" with other persons
and agencies. They promised a
harmonious front at Annapolis
and Rockville.
School Aid Promise.
The platform included prom
ise that the party would:
/. Meet the school problem
without increasing county taxes,
by getting fairer share of State
aid and by tapping State re-
sources.
2. Cooperate with the School
Board to provide a financially
and educationally sound school
program.
8. Work for legislation requir-
ing Statewide equalization of
assessments and the separation
of the administrative and quasi
judicial functions of the State
Tax Commission.
4. Support the Statewide
municipal home rule referendum
and more human and less legal
istic" government in the county.
S. Hold public hearings on
council matters and conduct all
council business in open session
6. Support ANY reasonable
compact or agreement" to i'm
prove mass transportation in the
Metropolitan Area.
z. Seek to have members OF
the bi-county planning and san
itary commissions appointed by
local authorities and to have the
rural planning commission
merged with the Maryland Ma
tional Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission.
8. Support legislation requir-
ing annual inspection of moto,
vehicles and revision of the triaI
magistrate system In the county
Miss Buuer SuDeryises