Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-01
MARYLAND VIRGINIA NEWS
FACE THE ISSUES
Silver Spring Hospital
Is County's Hottest Issue

Is Countys Hottest Issue
OF 10 questions facing Montgomery County voters the
November ballot Question 10the Silver Spring hospital
bl-has stirred the interest and public discussion
Leading the fight bill is the Silver Spring
and Wheaton and the Allied Civic Group of Silver Spring
Opposition leadership from the Hospital Referen
dunn Association of Montgomery County offspring of the
that circulated the petition to get the bill the ballot the
MONTGOMERY County Civic Federation and the Wheaton Chamber
will determine whether thcky populated
for 81 million hospital to be built on an 1lcre tract which the
county helped buy at Forest Glen road and Sligo park
Provisions of the Bill
Bascally provides establishment of a special
hospital district taking the 18th election dcSver Spring
and Wheaton-exclusive of the incorporated areas.
1t provides for the county to issue maximum So million
in bonds for construction of hospital The bonds would be
paid of by tax on all property in the hospital district not to
exceed cents per $500 OF assessment valuation
Opponents Proponents
Charge would be dis Say the hospta-Ike all
crmnatory that bill other hospials-woud have
political favortism They its doors all persons
say the hospital would the They add however
entire county and that its cost serve primarily
should be paid for by the entire ict which
county. of the countys population and
about one-haf of its assessable
Handling of Funds
The bill provides that the bond funds would
to the Silver Spring Hospital Association under limited conditions
for constructing and equppng the hospital The bill provides
funds for operation of the hospital
Before any funds would be turned to the association
the hospital board of trustees would have get County Council
approval Of the architects plans working drawings specifications
and estimates of of the building equipment
All work wherever possible and practicable" would
out under competitive bidding after public notice. the bill
The bill also provides that the hospital board should follow
closely possible the normal purchasing and bidding procedures
of the county.
Money be turned over to the association only after
vouchers have been received and by the county
government.
Opponents Proponents
award Say the public interest ade
OF bids to the trustees quatel protected
sound legislation They object voucher
to private citizens rather than plan approval They also point
public officials administering the that
pubic funds. departments operated BY
Iprivate citizens and receive tax
funds just as in the past the
various library associations re-
ceiyed tax funds.
Hospital Association
The hospital association profit non-stock CORPORA
ton Its bylaws require its membership openf the bill
all taxpayers in hospital district without cost
on Application Membership also will be county
residents on payment of SIS annual membership fee
The hospital would be operated by 15-nember board of
10 De elected by the associations membership
members of the board however would be members of the County
Council selected by the council
Opponents Proponents
Have labeled association Reort that the h,
private corporation and free and membership
at e legislation is hospital district
gaWay OF pubic funds to say that of AZ hospitals
private institution They also in Maryland 80 operated
assert tat the governmental non-proft corporations The
the board ponents contend that this
two members of the to encourage an economic
"ouo De menecuVe operation and to keep the hos
Ipital out of politics.
Ownership Of Hospital ~
The hospital would hold title TO the land and
the hospital building itself ~ W
The BILL however county to seize the hospital
any attempt is maze to transfer of it's property without
prior approval of the county or the association
10 construct or continue to operate the hospital bond funds
Wod De elo up and denied the
to use OF the bond other than construction or
equipping the hospital VI
The bill requires that of the association pertaining
officers ~