Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-15
Parade Ordinance
.Stirs County Row
Mass Action
Is Predicted if
Bill Is Adopted

Mass civil rights demonstra-
tons and arrests such as those
that have rocked Southern
cities, were predicted for Mont
gomery County last night If the
council adopts a proposed or
dinance licensing parades, as
semblies and meetings on pub.
lie property.
The warnings came at q
three-hour public hearing be-
fore the County Council, where
repeated criticism Of the mea-
sure as an anti-civil rights tool
was climaxed with a personal
attack on Councilman Thomas
M. Wilson, principal advocate
of the ordinance.
Romeo w. Horad, a real es-
tate agent and the last speaker
to oppose the ordinance. closely
questioned DR.. Wilson on
whether he would treat a Negro
patient.
Speaks Calmly
Choked with Indignation but
speaking calmly, the doctor re-
Piled that 80 per cent of the
IS to so babies he had delivered
in Suburban Hospital last
month were Negroes.
Il don't know why you drag
this in on a parade ordinance
it's not q place for char.
acter assassination" DR.. VIII.
son added.
Mr.. Horad replied that pub
lie servants should not be In
office if they could not take
criticism. He promised not to
vote for DR.. Wilson.
eff I should run again /
don't want your vote" DR.. VIII
son replied. -t.-
Pm a doctor, a servant to
mankind whatever his creed or
color, and resent what you
say" the doctor added.
Would Require Details
AS now drawn, the ordinance
would require all persons or
groups to submit a detailed lie
cense application to the county
manager at least three days
before they plan to hold any
type of meeting, demonstration
(picketing), parade or gather
ing on a public street, grounds
or building. Permits would be
GRANTED without charge If the
manager felt the event would
in no way hamper pedestrian
or motor traffic nor require an
unreasonable amount Of police
protection.
Thirty-four persons protested
the ordinance, saying it was
unconstitutional, too broad,
not necessary for keeping the
peace, and would be misused
by county officials.
Even before the hearing. DR..
Wilson talked to county at
torney Robert G. Tobin. jr.,
about watering down the meas
ure to exclude the cost-free
permits for events held in
schools and on property Of the
Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commits
sion.
The measure was designed
to head off massive racial
demonstrations such as have
brought violence in other cities.
Only five persons in the crowd
of nearly 500 defended the Or
dinance as law to protest citi-
zens, avoid crowd injuries and
insure that roads alays would
be open to emergency vehicles.
The most outspoken warning
about repercussions came from
Mark Golf of the Congress on
Racial Equality. who said adop-
ton of the ordinance would be
followed by mass demonstra-
tons and arrests such as those
in Birmingham and Cambridge.
They will bring disgrace to
Montgomery County, he said.
This ordinance will bring
the kind Of rebellion you're
trying to prevent" said Mrs.
Norman Duffin, Of Rockville.
Warns Of Action
Pass the ordinance If you
wish, well demonstrate Just
the same" declared Alphonzo
Lee, former president Of the
county branch Of the National
Association for the Advance
ment Of Colored People.
This ordinance would lead
to rule by nightstick and the
midnight call Of secret police, I"
said Charles E. Hutchinson, Of
the Paint Branch Unitarian
Church. .H
James E. Bacon, of Silver
Spring, said the ordinance
would be unconstitutional only
II the county acted capriciously
lin refusing permits. ....
The ordinance would actually
laid demonstrators because po-
llice would be on hand to protect
lpickets from harassment, said
brent Bozell OF Chevy Chase.
do not be pressured by peo-
Iple who wear civil rights on
their sleeve" he urged the
lcouncil.
Opponents Of the ordinance
Included spokesman for the
american Association Of Uni
lversity Women. County Council
of Parent Teacher Associations.
1.-THE local Human Relations
Commission, three Democratic
Clubs. two other Unitarian
churches, the county American