Evening star., 1955-01-28
Sanitary Agency Gel,
Legislative Backing
To Expand Borders
BY George Flynn
SiuT Stsff corFespcndens

3AANAylE OAA40, JAIL 80 J. Aa<
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission wants to bring large
new sections Of Prince Georges
and Montgomery Counties into
its Jurisdictions, and lawmakers
from the two counties indicated
today they'll back legislative
sanction for the move.
At the same time, the law
makers set a public hearing for
8 pm Wednesday In the State
house on a reorganization meas
ure. It would increase the COM
mission membership from three
to six and provide for greater
local control Of the controversial
agency.
The commission yesterday pre-
eented its own 1855 legislative
program to q joint meeting OF
the legislative delegations from
the two counties. They heard
an appeal from Harry B. Shaw,
chief engineer of the commission,
to avoid "short-sightedness' IN
authorizing expansion OF the
sanitary district.
''You shouldn't do anything to
stop the growth of the area
he said.
Since 1945. the demand for 1
water and sewerage services of
the commission has constantly
run ahead of his planning esti-
mates. he said.
Biggest Addition.
Biggest proposed addition to
the sanitary district would en-
brace a belt running from the
Howard County line westward
through Prince Georges County
to Gaithersburg in Montgomery
County. This would permit the
extending of lines to Olney.
Sandy Spring and Ashton.
The entire Cabin John water
shed area in Montgomery Coun-
ty would be added to the district.
Mr.. Shaw explained the commits
sion is planning to build sewer
line through the watershed to
service Rockville.
Delegate Warren Browning.
Democrat. of Montgomery, re-
marked that the availability Of
water and sewers would increase
property values by SIS million
dollars in the Cabin John area.
j. The Morningside tMd.) area
also would be added to the dis
trict.
Last year the General Assem-
bly, authorized the commission
TO provide services In Morning.
side. but bonding attorneys have
questioned the constitutionality
of the legislation and suggest
the enactment of a new measure.
Section Faces Higher Rate.
Mr.. Shaw revealed the COM
mission plans TO charge higher
rates for water and sewerage
services In the sparsely populated
area in the northern portion Of
the district.
The water rate win be 40 cents
for 1000 gallons, as compared to
27 cents in the rest of the dis
trict. The sewer service charge
is based on the water rates.
The commission also sought
authority to charge the Federal
Government higher rates than
1t has been paying for water. Big
users affected would be the
Bethesda Naval Hospital and the
National Institutes Of Health.
! Authority for new bond issues
of So million for water supply
purposes and So million for
storm sewer projects also were
asked.
Rockfish Bill Backed.
Both Prince Georges and
Montgomery County delegations
prepared yesterday to give all
out support to a new measure to
restrict seine-hauling of rock
fish in Chesapeake Bay The bill
would ban commercial fishing
during January and February. 4
Clark F. King. assistant corr
poration counsel for the District
OF Columbia, appeared before
the House Judiciary Committee
yesterday in support Of q bill to
permit admission of blood-test
results as evidence in drunken
driving cases.