Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-27
Reese Sees Montgomery
Becoming Science City
Urges Growth
Of Industry
In County
b. JOHN sTEPP

economic development OF
Montgomery County as the
Science City of the U. s. A."
was envisioned today by
County Manager Melvin L
Reese.
The county official said he
is certain the residents of this
community not only are ready
to accept this concept of light
industrial development but will
welcome it.
Mr.. REESE was one Of five
officials, representing the major
suburban jurisdictions sur.
rounding Washington, to adj
dress the washington Board Of
Trade economic development
conference in the Statler Hos
tel.
Planning work for suitable
industrial sites is well advanced
in Montgomery, Mr.. Reese said,
He said he anticipates that Q
second major industrial plane
ming conference slated In the
county early next year will
signal the start Of q concen.
trated search for desirable new
industry.
Advantages Listed
He pointed out that the area
is naturally suited as a CON-
centrated center of scientific
research and development.
Among its assets, he said, Is
the close proximity of the Ma
tons Capital. with its signif-
icant libraries. He pointed out
that numerous scientific re-
search agencies, including the
Federal Government. are al
ready located there. Highways.
railroads. public utilities and
plenty Of open land are avail.
able.
Appearing at the conference
as chairman of the Prince
Georges County Industrial Com.
mittee, T. Howard Duckett let
ia new brochure do his talking
for him. The 24-page slick
paper publication prepared by
his committee shows in pictures
and words the numerous at.
fractions the county offers in.
dustry, mostly the light variety.
One chart shows Prince Georges
Industry increased 1874 per cent
from 1947 to 1850 per cent
more than its nearest jurisdic-
ltional rival, Montgomery.
An Arlington businessman,
George M. Rowzee, jr.. president
lof the Shirlington Trust Co..
exhorted his colleagues to edu-
cate the citizenry on the need
for more commercial and in
dustrial enterprises to stimulate
the county's economic health.
Big Revenue Source
Mr.. Rowzee noted ruefully
the frequent opposition voiced
by residents against proposed
coming changes that would per.
NIT new businesses to estab-
lish. Businessmen. he said.
should be encouraged since
they are the richest revenue
producing source.
They shouldn't be kicked in
the pants" the bank official
said, land it's up to the busi-
ness interests to wake UP and
get to work."
William B. Wrench. execu-
tive director of the newly or
ganized Fairfax County Indus
trial Development Commission,
called for a national advertise
ing campaign to SELL the Met
ropolitan Area. LEG work"
groups should be formed all
over the area for this purpose
and to convince local residents
Of the benefits.
I'VE must change the think
ing from the question what
can industry offer the area
to what can the area offer in
dustry," Mr.. Wrench asserted.
Dennis Cahill, Alexandria's
director of planning. stressed
the value Of developing the
: city's port facilities and on the
need for the Northern Vir-
ginia jurisdictions to get to-
gether on uniform performance
standards governing area in
duStry.