Evening star., 1954-11-28
AsseInb|yI11erl
Push Plans for
Montgomery
Democrats in Move
To Revomp Planning.
Sanitary Agencies
By chorIes [. Hoffman

Montgomery County's DEM
ocratic delegation to the General
Assembly is optimistic about
chances, of putting through its
legislative program.
Brightest hopes are for re-
Yamping the bi-county Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and the WASH
ington Suburban Sanitary Com
mission. :.
The reason for optimism lies
In the fact that Montgomery and
Prince Georges jointly are send
ing II Democrats to the House
Of Delegates and two State SEN
ators to Annapolis. Lone Republi-
can returning from Montgomery
Is Gilbert Guide.
It will be the first time in more
than eight years that such unity
has been foreseeable in the BIZ
county delegations.
Agreement Sought.
Montgomery's, delegation has
been meeting alone and with
members of the Prince Georges
delegation, trying to reach agree
rlaent on legislation affecting the
two agencies.
Chances are that the planning
commission will be expanded or
revised to provide rural repre-
sentation so that the Upper
County Planning Commission
can be abolished.
Montgomery also wants selec-
ton of members left up to the
two county governing bodies with
appointments being made by the
Governor.
The Montgomery delegation
is expected to name Blair Lee
III as it's chairman. The son of
E. Brooke Lee. longtime Demo-
cratic leader in the county, he
handled publicity for the vic
torious harmony slate in the
primary and was a leading
spokesman for the party in the
general election.
wilkinson Already Named.
Prince Georges County al
ready has named Perry o. Wiki
inson as its delegation chairman.
Mr.. Wilkinson, a veteran
member of the House, Is in the
running for speaker and mem
bers of the local delegations in
sist he can't be counted out at
this time.
Leading contenders for
speaker include John c. Luber,
who is seeking reelection and
Jerome Robinson, both of Balti-
more City.
Others who have made known
their candidates. are A. Gordon
Boone, of Baltimore County and
Lloyd L. Simpkins, of Somerset
County on the Eastern shore.
Western Shore Bloc Seen.
Election of Democratic dele
cations from the two suburban
counties makes possible. develop
meht of a western shore bloc
in the Assembly that would be
slightly smaller but still a chal-
lenge to the big Baltimore City
delegation and the Eastern Shore
group.
II the western shore counties
can get together. they can mus
ter at least "a votes in the House.
Baltimore County's delegation is
reported split and the split In
the city could work to Mr.. Will
kinson's advantage.
Maneuvering for the top posts
in the two bodies is expected
Tuesday when the new Assembly
members convene at Annapolis
for a day-long cram session" on
their new jobs. Most of the Of
flee contenders are expected to
be on hand seeking to line up
support.
May Affect School Funds.
The outcome of the leadership
fight not only for the two tor
posts but also for majority floor
leaders and committee chair
nianships may spell out the fate
OF the Montgomery delegations
promises to seek q fairer AdeaI
on distribution of State aid fol
schools.
The delegation, which woule
like to rewrite the equalization
fund formula so that the county.
share OF supporting a minimum
program would be cut, also viii
have its eye on any Legislation
proposed by the Green Commits
sion on changes to be made il
the incentive fund for schoo
construction. Any changes pro,
posed will be watched closely tt
see that Montgomery and othe
large counties will not be payinI
$1.50 to get an additional dolla,
out Of it, one delegate said.
The Montgomery delegation
already has held one meeting
with the planning commission
and tomorrow night will, NEE
with the county council. Othe,
meetings will be scheduled will
the Sanitary Commission ant
representatives Of the American
Automobile Association. A ses
sion with the general public ais,
Is anticipated next month.
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