Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Vote Bids Seen
For CounciIr1len
In Montgomery
Some Moy Change
Mind and Run
For Reelection
By chorles [. Hoffman

come OF the SIX montgomery
County councilmen who last
June were sporting the same
suit labeled mo reelection
bid" have taken on q new look.
The male members Of the
council during the heated ses-
sion on the county budget were
unanimous In their decision not
to run again.
But with the pressure of
budget trimming to meet sky
rocketing assessments relieved,
some Of the group have changed
their minds.
On the fence now are Coun-
cilmen Grover Walker, Demo-
crat, and Lathrop Smith. Repub-
lican. Louis A. Gravelle, Re-
publican. is almost in the same
position, but appears to be
leaning strongly toward the po-
litical ring.
Walker to Watch and Wait.
MIR. Walker hasn't made I'D
his mind. He is going to watch
and wait.
Mr.. Smith, long a friend Of the
parent-teacher associations and
active in the controversial Upper
Montgomery Planning Commits
sion work, is fearful that he may
feel obligated to run.
His course of action probably
will depend on whether his coun-
Gil district gets other candidates
that are friendly to his ideas.
Mr.. Gravelle seems to be a sure
bet for the race. But he means
to have q say in who is on the
Republican organizations slate
with him.
Council President Harold F.
Hammond replied with an en-
phatic mo" when asked if he
would run again. His answer
was matched in f1rmness only
by that of Councilman j. Louis
Monarch.
Eesbitt Won't Run Again.
Councilman George F. Nesbitt
also has said repeatedly that
he would not seek reelection
and yesterday he made the
same declaration. But some
residents feel he still may change
his mind.
The only member of the pres
ent council to specifically an
nounce for reelection has been
Mrs. Stella B. Werner.
Probably the chief reason for
the lack Of enthusiasm on the
part Of the councilmen is the
big demand on time which the
job calls for.
Councilmen receive a maxi
mum $1,000 a year at a SOFA
meeting rate. Most of them
attend a number Of meetings
each year free Of charge.
Besides the weekly meetings
that in the past have run an
average Of six hours, the coun-
Gil holds numerous hearings on
street projects. ordinances and
coming changes.
40 Zoning Applications.
During the last two coming
sessions the council was called
on to hold hearings on nearly
ITO applications. And the most
they can do a night is five or six.
The present council has been
trying to shorten its regular
meetings. At least one council
man tavors turning the coming
function over to a commission.
Yesterday. the County Char
ter Committees board of direc-
tors met and 1t was learned leg
islation along these lines was
discussed.
The committee meeting was
fairly well guarded from the
press. The group also had in
vited members of the County
Council.
Only three councilmen-Mr.
Gravelle, Mr.. Nesbitt and Mr.
Smith, all Republicans-showed
up.
The councilmen, according to
Charter Committee President
Edwin B. Patterson, made it
clear they felt the committee had
failed to support the present
council during the years between
elections. That support would
have been in the form of keep
ing residents informed of new
issues as they arose, the coun-
cilmen said.
Mr.. Patterson said the COM
mittee did not discuss candidates.
He said he did not know what
procedure the committee would
,,aA a.. H.