davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
By Dorothy Waleski
staff Reporter

EACH YEAR THE COUNTY school board
manages to predict with almost uncanny accuracy
the number of children that will show up when
school opens. Last January, for example, they
said total of 62,539 would appear. When the
opening enrolment was taken last week it came
to 1853. So, 10 months in advance they missed
by only $50. And latecomers are expected to
make the predicted figure just about check out
How do they do it? There are three different
approaches used to arrive at total figure: ID the
overall county picture; (2) the total of the five
areas which are the eastern and western subur-
ban, Kensington-Wheat Rockville and up-coun-
ty; and, (3) the total of the individual schools
based on the principals estimates.
The different methods are used as checks on
each other to certain extent but, since the larger
the area the more accurate the estimate, any
differences between the totals are always resolved
in favor of the county total
Since the war, each years estimate repre-
sents growth over the previous year and this
is measured in two ways.
There is the growth caused by larger classes
at the first grade level taking the place of smaller
classes moving out at the top. For example, first
graders this fall will number 5000 in comparison
to last Junes 18th grade class of 1900
THE SECOND GROWTH is the net result of
people moving in and out OF the county Every
apartment or house produces AT elementary stu
dents and % secondary students. This is multi
piled by the total number of dwelling units to
teach total for school enrolment. Both figures
are supplied the school people by the Park and
Planning Commissions research.
Adding the results of the two different kinds
of growth would be simple except that there are
number of unpredictables that must be estimated
and taken into consideration first.
There are the drop-outs which begin at the
ninth grade and it has been estimated through
past experience that approximately one out of
six students do not finish school,
Balancing this are the retentions in each
grade with the largest number at the first grade
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
CrozY System

political campaign looms. The time is fast
approaching when the justplain-citzen the ord
nary voter, will become pretty important guy
When the primary and general elections are over
next year, of course, he will lose some of his
Importance. In fact quite bit So if he is smart
he will make his wishes known now or in the
next few months. Name almost any elective office
holder in the State and lot of the appointed
variety too, and you can bet he'll be very eager
to listen to the voters views-for the next few
months
Almost every job from governor to dog
catcher will be open next year. If you ever toyed
with the idea of entering politics now is the time
to do it. The field is wide open. And you'd be a
welcome sight There are so many old faithfuls
saying the same old tired things in the same old
tired way that wonders who is going to be
running for public office when this generation dies
off
1t is rumored, with more than a degree of
truth, that some of those now jockeyng for posi-
ton in State, and other races are doing so just
for the bargaining position it will give them. It
is worth great deal to candidate who really
wants the job to get another candidate out of the
candidates enter the campaign. They don't in
tend to make honest race for the office at
all. 1t is just this sort of thing that has made
citizens become dsenchanted with some politicians
and their ways.
Apparently the first of many thinlyveiled at
tempts to WOO the voter in the campaign that lies
ahead was made this week. State Comptroller J.
Willard Tawes, who wants to be Governor, mott
fled the press of the State almost Immediately
after writing President Eisenhower to protest cur
tailment of Federal defense activities in the State
1t is difficult to imagine Mr.. Tawes' getting too
worked up over this question until you realize
that hes'a candidate.
Pretty grown men will go around kiss
ing babies, both literally and figuratively, shak-
ing hands warmly with people they don't care for
saying things they don't mean, being unduly polite
and exhibiting tender solcitude for the welfare
and happiness of the voter This is politics and
you shouldn't scott at it too much. When This
stops happening, start worrying. It's crazy sys-
tenn But it's still the best ever devised.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Rep. Hyde Wroneed

| think your headline on the
top of your first page which
questioned whether or not Con.
gresham Hyde "snoozed," as
you put it crudely during the
Federal school aid debate was
undignified and unfair.
Those of us who know Mr..
Hyde know that he is one of the
most outstanding men ever to
serve in the Congress of the
United States.
1t is just this sort of carping
on the part of the person who
wrote you that letter that must
make it terribly difficult for a
man of Mr.. Hyde's caliber to en-.
ter politics. He is trying to do a
good job and undoubtedly max
ing a lot of sacrifices. And this
is what he gets. l don't like it,
And think there are a lot of
other people who don't like it,
too.
Margaret Reynolds
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19

He is well adjusted child now who listens eager
ly and hears perfectly well.
But psychotherapy individually and iii
groups, is only part of the clinics activity The
staff spends long hours in conference with other
social and welfare agencies They administer tests
and prepare diagnoses at the request of schools,
the Juvenile Court and other county agencies.
They consult with the Social Service League,
Legal Aid and County Health Departments on
mental health problems throughout the County.
This year more than one-third of the Clinics
salary and operating expenses are met by JGF
contributions. Other income is derived from pay
ments for services rendered to the County and
patient fees. Those receiving treatment are
charged fee in accordance to their ability to
pay.
nonprofit charitable organization the clinic
is under the dictatorship OF board consisting
of some 303 Montgomery County citizens repre-
senting various segments of the community. Pres
ident of the Board is Lawrence Widmayer, Rock
vile attorney
Our new board OF directors took over last
spring from the County Mental Health Association
which founded the clinic over 20 years ago." Wild.
mayer says. 1--WE feel the clinic staff is doing a
splendid job considering its small size and low
budget.
But consider it a tragedy that more than
100 persons in need of psychiatrc care ere on our
waiting list for their first interview Because of
the staff shortage new applications can only be
accepted in cases of dire emergency lie reports.
"A small voluntary contribution through IIGF
can help reduce the ever increasing cost OF tax
supported State mental hospitals. But more i'm
portantly, your UGF dollar goes a long way to-
ward greater emotional health ir our communi-
ty'' he added. For the Community Psychiatric
Clinic helps not only its patients and their FAM
lilies. 1t helps the teachers neighbors all of
u.s."
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Uneunny Prognostcations-
Sharp Crystal Gazing Needed
To ForeteII the Pupil Total
BY Dee FairchiLd

level which must be worked out on a percentage
basis and spread throughout the grades
Then there are the number of children at
tending non-public (such as the parochal) schools.
This figure is complicated by the fact that num-
Der of these students attend public kindergarten
and later come back into the public schools at
the 7th and 9th grade levels.
WHEN ALL THESE variables have been
estimated and added or subtracted to the growth
figures, a final total is reached such as this
years 1923 estimated increase which is in turn
added to last years enrolment for the county
estimate.
This years 62539 total is expected to be
ceeded by about 200 when the final results are
reported at the end of September, according to
Lester WEIGH research a,,alys who with his staff
s responsible for this years prediction.
o. of the unpredic ables, the turning back
to public schools of some 400 kindergartners in
the KensingtonWheaton area by the closing down
of two parochial kindergartens is responsible for
the underestimate, WEIGH says
Welch, who took over the job of estimating
enrolment last year from Maxwell Burdette did
the first projection of future enrolment in 1916
under past superintendent Edwin w. Broome.
At that time, when the county school popula-
ton was 17,400, WEIGH predicted that the 1850
rollment would be 27OOO BY $780, the school
enrolment was actually 27,750
In the other two approaches, at the grade
and area level, there are number of variables
that do not affect the county total but make it
difficult to estimate for the individual schools
There is the migration within the county, for
instance, of families with older children seeking
larger homes and being replaced by younger
families with preschool children.
All of these unpredctables are factors which
make WEIGH and his population analyst James
Shade, Jr. trfle "edgy' about their 1862 predic-
ton of S6S94 school enrolment with 41S6 in
crease over the previous year.
The one thing that encourages them to go
out on the limb with such large estimate is that
by 1860 the children of the wartime Baby Boom
will be getting married and starting the cycle all
again.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Rockville Chamber

The hiring this week of Rockville public
relations and promotion expert to advance the
cause of the city's businessmen is one of the
biggest steps forward in years. The need for such
position has been critical.
If he does his job, the executive director
of the city's Chamber of Commerce will serve as
a catalyst to unite individuals and groups that
have been strongly at odds in the past. If he dis
plays the right kind of leadership and exhibits
sufficient imagination in his job, the ctys bust
ness community will push forward and prosper.
The ctys businessmen have stood still too long
The new official has tough job ahead of him.
East Montgomery Avenue, heart of the city's
business district has vacant stores and office
space for rent. The citys "main drag" looks be-
draggled. There buildings that have not had
their face lifted for half a century. Nothing is
being done to provide much-needed parking. The
City Council has enacted laws affecting the bust
ness community but no businessman has spoken
up to say that they were good bad There
have been few amateurish attempts to stage
honesttogoodness promotions to attract business.
But for the most part, they lacked Imagination,
drive and follow through.
The new official has big job on his hands.
If the business community, that is paying him,
does not support him, it is being almost unbe-
evably shortsghted.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19

as I did, 81 wonder WHY they need so much
parking space"
Now I'm not one to belittle Great Falls. Elk
GLIDING Niagara, it is undenably one of the scenic
wonders of the eastern seaboard But what else is
there-what other magic does Great Falls have
that 1t needs this enormous parking area?
And now we're getting to the gist of this
thing. hope you are following me, or, better
still, hope that some big executive of the Ma
tional Capital Parks is bearing with me. Maybe
he'd be kind enough to give me some idea of what
certainly must have been a fabulous amount of
money which went to make Great Falls the beau
tful up-tothe-minute place it is.
had quite letdown when came back to
poor little Seneca where live. And do mean
it is poor little Seneca. Once it had parking lot
that would accommodate 100 cars; the Interior
Department came up here three years ago and
that today it accommodate only sxty-five
cars. On busy day sixtyfive cars can park;
six hundred cars come into the lot, make u
turn and keep right on going.
People need their automobiles to get to Sene.
ca but they don't know what to do with them
after they arrive.
Consequently, few of these visitors who are
unable to find parking place, ever return.
And this is a shame, because believe me,
Seneca far and away eclipses Great Falls in the
variety of natural advantages for recreation which
are to be found here.
There is no boating at Great Falls at all;
fishing is precarious due to the danger of falling
off of a rock into the boiling maelstrom Of water;
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Letters to the Editor
CD Evacuation

Many thanks for your news
papers praiseworthy effort IN
last weeks issue, to focus at
tention on the need for, but lack
of public education along Civil
Defense lines.
1t appears, however, that your
reporter who conducted the poll
of Rockville citizens may have
been somewhat in error himself
relative to the proper reaction
of those citizens in the case OF
a Civil Defense alert.
While Rockville would not be
in the reception zone for evac-
uees, neither is it in the eVacu-
alton zone. Consequently, it is
in the static or "stay put" zone.
We do advise, however, that any
one between ten and twenty
miles from downtown Washing
ton have at least a basement or
better still, a basement shelter
with food, water, fire extinguish-
er and so forth available if he
plans on remaining in this zone.
This qualification may be the
reason for misunderstanding be-
tween your interrogation and
those polled.
1t would be greatly appreci-
ated if you can set your readers
straight on this matter.
G. Roy Hartwig
Rear Admiral, USN (ReD
Deputy Director of
Civil Defense
Editors NOte-The civil de-
Tense pamphlet "YOur Survival
put out by the county civil de-
Tense organization states that
persons living between 10 and 20
miles from downtown Washing
ton will be comparatively safe
in a shelter If prepared to ex-
tinguish small fires. If without
shelter, evacuate to beyond the
2O-mile band" On the map put
out by county civil defense,
Rockville is shown as being
within the 15-mile band. The 90
mile band is shown as being
on the other side of Gathers
burg on the same map.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
WaIeski Story

Congratulations to reporter
Dorothy Waleski for fine job
of bringing the problems of spe-
cial education to the attention
of your readers.
Since 3 out of every 100 chill
dren fall into the mentally re-
tarded category, it is only fair
that these and other handicapped
children's needs are considered
in public school planning.
Montgomery County is al
ready far ahead of other COM
munities in its education pro-
gram.
Grace s. Berman
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Well Designed
U. S. Agency Likes
2 Free State Roads

The new expressways in Maryland have been
cited by the Bureau of Public Roads as good
examples of Imagination in detail of design"
which other States might profitably follow
They are the Baltimore Washington Express
way, opened in 1854, and the Washington National
Pike from Frederick to Washington, now about
threefourths complete
The pronouncement came for BPR which is
administering the 41,000 mile interstate high
way system and has complained of the "sameness
and monotony of design" of most dual highways
What the BPR wants is road design that will
keep drivers interested in their surroundings
and awake
Throughout the nation only three other high
ways-all toll facilities-were mentioned as in a
class with Maryland's two free roads. They were
the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, the
New York Thruway and the Ohio Turnpike. ~
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
BY Planners
Little Falls
Ri. 24O Leg
Ruled Our

Use of Little Fans Branch
Park for the southwest leg of
new Route 240 into Washington
has been virtually ruled oct it
waG revealed last week.
The MaIylanA-Natl Capt
til Pa k ard Planning CCnrl-s-
sion voted to include a section
of the park in lis regional park
system to obtain Federal REIN
bursement for some of the funds
used by the Commission in ac-
quiring the land. This gives the
National Park Service a voice
in use of the land.
In the past the National Park
Service has strongly opposed
use of parKlands for interstate
highway routes.
Gravelle Comment
Commissioner Louis Gravelle
commented that he felt it very
unlikely Little Falls Branch
Park would be considered as a
route for the southwest leg. He
said he based his opinion on dis
cussion of the problem at a
meeting two weeks ago OF the
coordinating committee repre-
senting the District, Maryland,
Virginia and Federal highway
authorities.
Little Falls Branch Park lies
in the path of one of the many
alternate routes under consider
alton for the new interstate
highway.
Other major route proposals
include a riverside location par
allel to the George Washington
Memorial Parkway, use of the
parkway itself, routing the
southwest leg through Rock
Creek Park, or a north-south
extension through GloVer-Arch-
bold Park.
To Join Study
The Commission voted to Of
fer its cooperation to the special
joint Congressional committee
which has been authorized to
study Metropolitan Area Prob
lens. The committee was Gre
ated through legislation offered
by Representative Dewitt S.
Hyde.
A public hearing was SEIZED.
uled for 8 p. m, October 10 on
proposed revision of street and
coming plans for Silver Spring.
The hearing will be held in the
Commissions new Silver Spring
Regional Headquarters building,
S7S7 Georgia Avenue.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-19
Assessor Writes


thoughts on the assessment mat
ter in Montgomery County.
My confidential report re-
quested by the county manager
contained these statements of
fact: Cd Large errors were
found in assessments; (2) Many
low to very-low assessments ex-
list; 90 Many negotiable assess
ments exist; (4) Some substan.
tial reductions given to certain
individuals without knowledge
of assessors responsible for the
work, and without regard for as,
sessments remaining on adjoin-
ing property.
Sufficient evidence was given
for intelligent people to follow
that assessment procedures are
very inefficient resulting in hur-
ried evaluations in the field, a
number of valuable close-in
tracts of land not being located
and assessed property, as many
as two thousand permits for ad-
ditions being carried over
some as long as three or four
years and not going on the tax
rolls, etc
Other things were mentioned,
not of my own personal knowl-
edge and in a completely conf
dental manner, that were dis
turbing and warranted investi-
cation.
In my opinion, the confidence
was preached on this report.
The committee formed to study
the matter was made up largely
of members charged by law
with the responsibility for as
seSsments. They were, in fact,
not only the accused but they
also acted as judge and jury as
well, in closed session.
Their unfavorable report was
echoed by the State Tax Com
mission, which did not, as they
claim, consider all of the facts
in the case.
According to my attorney, the
State Tax Commission violated
a definite pre-hearing agree
ment that only charges against
me would be heard and that l
would not be expected to prove
my contentious at that particu-
lar time.
One most significant fact is
that not one of the facts l
brought up and not one of the
confidential matters for investi-
cation have been so investigated
to this very time by persons
both qualified and impartial.
This and previous procedures
suggests the most disturbing of
FL thoughts that here in our
so-called progfeG5ivc cot lty,
mex. to the Nations Capital,
such an undemocratic handling
of the situation could occur.
Fortunately, the many fine
people | have had contact with
directly and indirectly, have
been able to see through the
smoke screen and in surprising
ly numerous instances, have
specific knowledge of some of
the very things l tried to bring
out.
| feel that I have received
very favorable decision in the
court of public opinion. No spe-
cific appeal privilege is spelled
out in the Maryland Tax Law
and as an appeal would cost me
at least $500, cost much time,
| may not make one. However,
feel that if Montgomery Coun-
ty citizens will be vigilant not
only about assessment matters,
but about all other county pro.
ceedings as well, l will have ac.
complished a very worthwhile
service.
Henry III. Carter.
Smyrna times., 1957-08-15

as Widgeon Lake, and Mr.. Cham
berlain thinks this name VIII
someday appear on maps. Cham
berlain, a biologist with the Della
ware board, was loaned to the
federal bureau for the fowl count
He said had weather kept them
from making an extensive count
but from what he saw, and from
reports of other areas, he thinks
the northeastern United States
will have another good waterfowl
season this year. After a rescue.
plane was called in by radio and
Evans dew out for parts to re-
pair the broken cylinder head,
Chamberlain was left alone among
swarms of mosquitoes and black
flies in a rolling wasteland OF
dwarf birch and willows and
rocky landscape covered in unpro-
tected spots by caribou moss and
lichens.
Smyrna times., 1957-08-15
COL. C. w. SMITH
AT DOVER BASE
Veteran of Air TranspOrta-
tiOn Assumes Duties AS
Special Assistant
TURBO-PROP PROGRAM

Col. Claude w. Smith, a 10
year veteran of air transporta-
ton, has arrived at Dover Air
Force Base to assume the duties
of special assistant to the Wing
Commander for the Forthcoming
C-133 turbo-prop program. He
will act directly under Col. Franc
is C. Gideon, 16O7th Air Trans
port Wing (H Commander, in
establishing the squadron of giant
new transports which will begin
arriving at Dover this fall. Col
onel Smith commanded the 1700th
Test Squadron GTurbo-Prop) at
Kelly AFB, Tex, in 1954-55.
From 1855 until this year he was
commander of the 1700th Air
Transport Group (M) at Kelly.
His Military Air Transport Ser
vice experience began in 1851
when he assumed command of the
49th Air Transport Squadron CID
at Hickam AFB Hawaii. A ma
tive of Desdemonia, Tex, Colonel
Smith now calls Kilgore, Tex, his
home. He joined the Air Force
in 1912 after attending the Uni
versity of Southern California and
Houston University. His first
major assignment was as wing
chief pilot for the Bengal Wing
Air Transport Command, in Kur-
mitola, India, in 1914 and 1915
He then was deputy commander
of the 513th Troop Carrier Group
participating in the Berlin Airlift
in 1948-49. He attended the Ali
Command and Staff School al
Maxwell AFB, Ala, before joining
with MATS. Colonel Smith has
received the Air Medal with Oak
Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished
Flying Cross and the Legion OF
Merit.
Smyrna times., 1957-08-15
MODERATE IN TONE
Spirit of Compromise Evident In
Congress Senator Frear States

Congress Senator Frear States
United States Senator j. Allen
Frear has characterized the re-
cord of the first session Of the
Eighty-hfty Congress as general
ly moderate in tone.
In his final weekly statement of
the year, Mr.. Frear declared that
the spirit of compromise was
plainly evident in many legisla-
tive matters and that as a result
probably more accomplishments
were obtained than would have
otherwise been possible. The Del
aware Senator pointed out that
the close division of members in
the two Houses of Congress ac-
counted for the moderate nature
of legislative deliberations.
In a general review of the Con-
gressional session, Mr.. Frear ex-
planned that the number of bills
and resolutions acted upon should
not necessarily be construed as
a true reflection of the Legislative
record. He noted that many pend
ing measures not acted upon so
far will probably be taken up
when Congress reconvenes in jan
uary.
The Senator said that through
the medium of unrestricted de-
bate in the chamber and in its
open committee sessions, Con-
gress brings before the American
people an exchange of views on
vital matters of Importance which
/ the citizens of our state and ma
ton should know about and help
to decide by force of public opin-
ion.
In conclusion, MIR. Frear an
nounced his intention of resuming
his weekly series of Congression-
al comments when the Second
Session of the Eighty-fifth Con-
gress opens next January.