Guide to the Oral History of WERNER, STELLA BIDDISON (1901–1981)

Biographical/Historical Notes

Stella Biddison Werner was a Montgomery County Council Member and the first woman President of the Council. She was born in 1901 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, John S. Biddison, was a Maryland State Senator, and her great-grandfather, of the same name, served in the Maryland State General Assembly. Werner attended Goucher College in Baltimore and worked as a personnel manager for Hutzler Brothers Department Store. In 1928, Werner and her husband moved to Montgomery County where she became active in community groups in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area. She served as President of the Bethesda Elementary PTA in 1936 and, in 1938, on a steering committee to establish the Bethesda Public Library. From 1942 to 1947, Werner served as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Charter Committee. In 1950, Werner was elected to the newly formed County Council. Werner was reelected to the Council in 1954 and 1958. In 1959, Werner was the first woman to be chosen as President of the Montgomery County Council. The County Council office building in downtown Rockville is named in her honor. Interview - Interviewed in sixty separate interviews from 1971–1975 by Joseph H. Green.

Subject

Bethesda – Parent-Teacher Association Bethesda-Chevy Chase Recreation Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase Youth Research Council Congress – Candidate Fire and Rescue Services Goucher College Intergovernmental relations League of Women Voters Liquor Control Board Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery County (Md.) – Board of Education Montgomery County (Md.) – Charter Movement Montgomery County (Md.) – County Council Montgomery County (Md.) – Hospitals Montgomery County (Md.) – Integration of schools Montgomery County (Md.) – Political History Montgomery County (Md.) – Politics and Government Montgomery County (Md.) – YMCA Rural life – Montgomery County Subject Names

Biddison, John S.

Broome, Edwin Gardner, Allen Hostetler, Alice Hutzler Brothers Hutzler, Albert Lee, E. Brooke Stevenson, Adlai Willmott, John Table of Contents/Index – Archive files contain Outlines of Interviews containing additional topics and subjects.

I. Birthplace

II. Ancestors

III. Hig)l School

IV. College

OtmINE INTERVIEW I

Biography of Stella Biddison Werner

V. Summer between Junior and Senior Year at College

A. Met husband

B. Father died

C. Work at pl ayground

VI . Reporter for Baltimore Sun

VII . Employment at Hutzler Brothers

VIII.Moved to Montgomery County - 1929

IX. Buying home

x. Wisconsin Avenue in early thirties

XI. Start in public life

A. Went back to ancest»rs

B. Fat her ' s influence

C. Judge Van Court responsible for political life in Montgomery

XII. The Bethesda PTA

XIII.General community inter est

IX. Christian Social Relations Chairman of Womans Society of Methodist

Church of Baltimore Conference.

INTERVIEW III

Stella B. Werner

I. Bethesda Chevy Chase Youth Research Council in early thirties

II. Beginning of Bethesda Chevy Chase Recreation Center in 1939

A. First Advisory Board

B. Picture of Bethesda Chevy Chase area in 1920

c. Maryland National Park and Planning Commission

D. First director

III. Survey of Recreation in Bethesda Chevy Chase in 1940 for Youth Research

Council

IV. Rec~eation Committee under Woma.~ ' s Civilian Defense

A. Home and Community Program of Recreation

B. Recreation for Service men

1. National Naval Medical Center

v. War Recreation and Hospitality Services of Montgomery County

A. Beginning of USO under national YWCA

VI . Story of USO in Bethesda

VII . Beginning of Montgomery County YWCA

Ilfl'ERVIEW II

Stella B. Werner

I. 1930 political campaign

II. Booklet giving information about county government published by

Democratic Party under the name of "Montgomery County Government Club"

III. Off icials elected in 1930

I V. Leland Womans Democratic Club

V. Count y Democratic Congreu

A. First meeting vith Brooke Lee

VI. Mrs. Charles Roach arranged meeting vitb Mrs. Charles Latimer

VlI. Women on State Central Committee

A. County Congress on Women - national movement for more vomen in

political positions - 1937

VIII.Womens Democratic Club of Montgomery County meeting Mrs. Roosevelt

IX. 1934 Political campaign - Fusion Movement

A. Working vithin party organization - first experiences

B. Result of 1934 election

c. Political patronage

D. Government under Fusion party

INTERVIEW IV

Stel l a B. Werner

I . Montgomery County c:vic Federation in 1934

A. Legislature program

B. County Con:missioners urged t o bave a professional study of

County gover~~ent

L Civic Federation backed candidates for Co,nty Commissioner

wbo promised t o hire Broo'.(ings Institute to r.iake survey

II . School Boa.rd Budget in 1934

III. Werner in vol v.,i:nmt in 1938 Democratic Primary

IV. Riot by Jebovabs Witnesses in 1940

A. Attracted attention to government

V. Ja i Alai bill at Annapolis

A. Backed by Montgomery County DLmocratic delegat ion headed by

Brooke Lee

B. Strong opposition in County

-l!ITERV.IEW V

Stella B. Werner

I . Continuation of Jai Alai

A. Opposition

B. Veto by Gov . O' Connor

c. Sparked Home Rule

II . Retail Liquor License re~uests in l!?il0

r .• Location

III .

IV.

B. Strong Opposi~ion

c. State a~thority

o. Church interest

Land use - beginning or

A. Single family

B. Edg~oor

c. Comcent by Bethesda

interest in

Journal

Beg1nn1ll6 of Charter Caopaign

A. 1938 Election issue

zoning

B. Report of Oe:nocratic Count y Congress on Legislature Program - 1941

1 . Significance relat i ve to home rule

V. Brookings Report released in 1941

A. Objected to by County Commissioners

B. Summarized by Fred Lee for a Conference by League of Women Voters,

Civic Federation, ~omens Club

C. Rec=e ods Home Rule

o. Fred Lee ' s comment

E. Position of Bet hesda Journal and Bethesda Chevy Chase Tribune

I

VI. Civic Federation position on Home Rule in 1942

VII. League of Women Voters in 1942

VIII .Werner works througll Den:ocra~ic Pa~y

-I.

INTERVU::l VI

Stella B. !lerner

Stella Werner involvement in charter :novement

A. Meeting at Cosmas Club

l . Discussion with Mrs. walter Perry, Allen Gardner, St ephen James

and Fred Lee about position of Executive Director of Charter Com­

mittee

2 . w'hat was involved in the Executive Director ~ob

II. First meeting of Charter Co:rmitt ee

A. Election and meeting of Board of Directors of Charter Committee , III. Charter Comm.ittee campaign - first phase - circulation of petition

A. Commit tee chair:nen

B. Office and staff

c. Telephone No . OL 1776

O. Article XI A of State Constitution - procedure to be folloved

E. Federal government e:cployees

F. Organization of volunteers to circulate petition

G. Alan Gardner leadership

H . Qppos1 ti on

I . Candidates for Charter Board to draft charter

J . Petition filed

IV. Chart er Co!l::littee Campaign -second phase - 1942 - referendum

A. Education material

B. Bloc~ workers

C. Finances

o. Main objectives

E. Opposition campaign

F. Success of campaign

V. Charter Cammi ttee campaign - third phase - referendum 1944

A. Work of Charter Board

B. Description of first Charter Council Manager Form

c. Supportees of Charter

1 . League of Women Voters

2 . Bethesda Record - Gertrude Bradley

o. Opposition by local Democratic Party

E. Stella Werner ' s part in campaign

l . Letter from Maybelle Fickel

2 . Debates

..

INI'ERVIEW VII

Stella B. Werner

I . Opposition to Charter in 1944

A. "Citizens Com:nittee Against Charter"

1 . Letter to men in armed services and one response

~ - Letter to Negro voter

B. Arguments against Charter

II . Charter committee campaign

A. Lewis B. Simms statement

B. Manual. prepared by J ohn \lillmott, Research Committee Chairman

1 . Instructions about visiting homes

c. Legal committee about conduct on election day at polls

III. Election night 1944

A. Tarlton Brooke, charter board member died at polls

,

B. Charter committee members gather at their o t fice at 724C Wisconsin Ave.

C. Werner fami ly reaction, "Let ' s do it again", picked up by Charter

committee members

IV . Democratic organi£ation moves to make government changes at Annapolis

in 1945

A. Democratic County Planning Committee

1 . Werner assignment - chairman of committee on education

a . Interest in teacher salary sho. n at meeting at Leland

b . Education committee report to planning committee

~ . Recommendations of Planning Committee

a . Werner Objects

V. Legiolation passed at Annapoli in 1945

VI. «ercer attends County Co.."'!:i.>aioi.ers ceetings in 1945

Vll . F!r~t County Supervi~or

A. Lacy Sha• sho.s opposition

B. ..'illard Day

l . County Commissioner business

2 . Day resigns and Irving McNayr replaces him

VIII. Aggressive campaign or Charter Com.'!littee in 1940

A. Position papers by John Aillmott

l. Broolte Lee ' s po.er

B. Charter C°""'1ittee organi,ation

C. Political devices

..

,

INTERVIEW VIII

Stella B. Werner

I . Opposition to an amendment to the Lindsay Law (non partisan elections

and the peopl es right to decide t he issue)

A. Charter Coll!lnittee asks all candidat es to state position on

Lindsay La• in 1946

B. Brooke Lee, leader of opposi t ion to amend la'• •hicil ~ould permit

non partisan elect ions of County Council

l . citatement on t~o part y system

C. Hearing a t Annapolis on proposed amendment

D. 1\mendment lost and results in Montgomery County

II . Legislation at Annapolis i n 1946

A. Repeal of certain 1945 laws

B. Matters of general interest

III. Changes in Montgomery County Charter Conunittee

A. Stella Werner resigned as Executive Director

B. Werner to write column "Listening" for "Toe Record" (reporting

County Conunissioner meetings) and have radio program on local

government on WBCC

C. No misunderstanding bet••een Charter Conuni ttee and \verner

D. PlWllJLer Shearin to take Werner ' s place

E. Dr. Norman Ames replaces Allen Gardner

IV. Government in Rockville in 1946-47

A. Republican County Commissioner s

,

l . First meeting

~ . Changes 1.n personnel

a . Disposition of policemen

3. Business before CommiJsioners

4. E:Jo.traordine.r:.- hearint1 on budget

5. Jchool Board bud;,.et cut

6 . Meeting of Co1'!;mis sioner~ • i t h Par& and Planning Cocnissioo

a . Be1:1inning 01' open communication

b . Arragance in goverrunent

( . Zoning prac"t;ices

a . ::o opinions

b . Zonine; offered in excoange for school s

,

INTERVIEW IX

Stella B. Werner

I . 1949 Session of Maryland Le~islature

A. Effort of Montgomer y County Republican Delegation to repeal

legislation taking certain po•ers t rom County Commissioner s

passed by Democratic delegation in 1945

1. Article by Leona Rush, a delegate

~ . Authorit;> given to Park and Planning Commission

II . First legislative session of County Council in May 1949

A. Firemen at hearing on boundaries o. taxi ng areas

B. Subjects passed upon

C. Re<J.uesi; or veto 01 Montgomery County Bar Association or bill

pertaining to tax delinquent property

1 . Brooke Lee objects

III . Zoning procedure under first Council

A. Non confonning use at Greentree and Old Georgeto•n Road

S. Zoning enforcement

IV. Complimentary susrmary by Wainright, Ramsey and Lancaster of first

Cow1ty Council in 1949

V. Summary of first year of fir~ t CoUIJty Council by Fred Lee

-

,

INTERVIEW XI

Stella B. Werner

I . Stella Werner becomes a candidate on the Victory Committee ticket

for County Council

A. Statement r eleased by ·.1erner

II . Victorj ticket

A. Members

B. Brooke Lee influence

C. Women

D. Victory Committee statement

E. Meeting with Charter Collll!littee Sel ection Com.~ittee

I II. Free Democrats

IV . Charter Committee ticket

A. Charter Committee l etter

V. Elldorsernents of Werner

A. Meeting at Chevy Chase Womens Cl~b

VI . Brooke Lee opposition to Charter

A. Column against Allen Gardner

IlfrERVIE'.J XII

Stella B. Werner

I . General Election 1950

A. Republican candidates run on record of first County Council

l. S=ary in Daily Bood Buyer

B. Stella Werner ' s situation as a candidate

l . Wheaton headquarters

2 . Schedule of events

3. Television programs of Democrats

a . Sample statements

b . Democrats attitude to Werner

c . Night before election

C., Election day returns

l . De!l:Ocrats at l•Oodmont Countr y Club

~ . ~al~er acd Werner onl ) Council De::iocrats elected

II. Last oeeting of first Cow1c1l and u.earing in of new Council

III. First ceeting of 1950 Count) Council

A. Ste.fr'

IV . Nerner r oves collll!Ul fro~ Record to Tr!bu.r..e

H."TE.RVIE'11 XIII

St.ella B. ~erner

I . Iteo:.l i'rcm Council minut.es o:· 1951

A. Miccellant:ou~

B. Public ·,.:ous projec is

C. Cuc1tinued dispute .ith l•:ontbo:ner; Co•.mt:, Press Association over

closed Je:>sion• held rt:,,.ilarlJ b, ~tk Count, c..,uncil .. ith .erner

opposing

D. <.nforce1nent. or' _onir.e; viol,,.i:ioi.:.

l. Hi>tor:,.

~ . Pli.)'in6 c;;ue::>t::> in ;:;.it.t...le ra1~il"' one

3 . ,:ern<:r ' s ai: ti tude to hearin0 s

'I . E.leemo•ynary in:; ti t • .ncion~ in residential one

•

-I . County Council in 1951

INTERVIEW XIV

Stella B. Werner

A. Procedure involved in appro,in6 ParKla.n Cemetr;

l . Intricacy in law

" · Division on Council and variet, of opinions re~i$tered at. bearini;s

B. Werner lost in Cemet.r>

c . Highlights in CoWlt) Manager ' s report

o. Notes !'ro:n Stella Werner ' s column in Tribur,e

l. Pay raises Werner opposes individual raises ·i•nout scales ~rom

Personnel Board

.; . Personnel Board members Louis Simms, Edith Oin.oody and Malcom

White present ne. scale

3. Beginnin,; of Liorary Department •itn George Moreland as Librarian

4 . Traffic l ie,hts in Bethesda

E. Maryland Association of Count; Cornmissioner3

L Meeting in Februar y 1951

a . Montgomery County relationship

b. Werner remarKs about Case Commission Report on assess1:ents

F . Bills passed at Annapolis by Republican del egation

•

l!.'TERVIEll XV

~tella B. werner

I . J ames Gill brings a report and is rebuffed by some or' the Council

II. Le.,;islation in Annapoli~ pertainin.; to liquor sales

III. Ca."Lpaiozi ~or elec ted ~chool boa.rd led by Mrs . David Sto•e

IV . Recreat ion Board

V. Upper Cow1ty Planning Commission

2 . ',./erners part in Stevenson campaign

a . Stevenson campaign train in 6th District •ithout Stevenson

b . We rner compared to Steven~on in Hagersto.n Da.ily Mail

c . '<ierner and Sparkman

3. E. Broo~e Lee manaaes state campaign

4 . EA'Periences in Western Maryland

5. A.D.A. endorsement

6 . Trade Unions

7 , werner defeated

8 . Benefits from campaien

9. Sa:nple letters received by •erner

/

-

-

INTERVIEW XVII

Stella B. Werner

I. Ml$Cellaneous Ccunty Council business in 1952

A. Coun:;y Council and Partt and Planning Cocimiasioo in conflict

l . Ownerubip of armory in Sil ver Spring

B. Pleasant eAperiences in relation to ser~in& on Council

l . Dedication o: a.c.c. High School gym

~ · Speaking to scnool classeG about government

C. Interest in ta>.es

l. Montisoiner:,. County TaA Payers Ice . ori;ani~ed to study taxes

<: . Lea&ue of i-iornec Voters report

D. Abpen Hill Ce~etry application

E. :.Jome ne•• la•. s passed in April

F. Co.10t~ holidaJs

G. George Wasbin6tOn Carver High School

H. Letters received by Werner

l . One letter dealt -1th appoint.:nect to welfare Board

I. Analysis or budget

J . 195- Bc.ct.;et

K. Meeting about transfer or Recreation from ParK and Planning to County

l. Ugliness displa~·ed

INTERVIEW XVIII

Stella B. Werner

I . Ne.mes of officials i n 1953

II . Legislation at Annapolis to abolish Park and Planning Commission

I II . Upper Cowity Planning Commission

IV . Ne• Re6ional District Zoning Ordinance

A. Prepared b~ Park and Planning Com.'llissioo

B. Council begins in January to revie·• ordinance by paragraphs

and hold hearin6

V. Upper County Zoning Ordinance

A. Councilmember Gravelle oppo:;ed it and o:·fers resolution to table t 'Oice

l . Objec t i on by Werner and ordinance not tabled

B. Rural area opposed to it at one hearing

C. Park and Planning Collll:lission oppose

l. Don Gingery out spoken against it at Silver Spri ng \..omens

Democr atic Club

VI. Bond authori_ation procedure and facts about county in 1953

VII . Montgomery County Democrats

A. Meer.in~ called by Alice Hostetler, Vice Chairnan of State Central

Co~.mittee for all Democrats to tal k about how the part y could 6et

together

l . Dave Brigham spoke

"- • New De.nocrats rrom Stella Werner and Stevenson campaign present

.ith old Democratic organi . ation

3. Criticism or Democratic leadership

4 . Warren Browni ng, Chairman of St ate Central Committee defends

organi~ation

-

-

s.

c.

Aft.er defeat for Con6I"es:; Jtella •erner .ent to <iarren Bro .ning

to ask him to resi~n

tiecond meeting of part~ .or~ers in 1953

Repo?"t; ot" u.eeting ir. Tribune

VII I . Council busines~ in .;pring of 1953

A. Controversy about. ne• fire house on Mass . Ave .

B. Art.h.ir Miller, Jafety Director report on Mass . Ave. fire house

INTERVIEW XIX

Stella B. .;erner

I . Louie Gravelle in 1953

A. Appointment

B. Statement by County Mental Hygiene Society

II . Brooke Lee ' s statements about the County Council in 1953

III . Stella \.'erner ' ,; peculiar position

A. lies-cern ;:;uburban De:i:ocratic Club

IV. President :lil<on ' .; reladonship to local Republicans

V. Leland Street

VI . School construction report

A. Commit~ee appointed by County Council and County School Board

VII. Stella Wer ner as a speaker

VIII . Some laws passed in 1953

IX . Matters pertaining to fire departments

I . Bud~et in 1953

A. Date of approval

B. PTA report

INTERVIE'.; }'.X

::;telta a. '•erner

1 . Teachers salaries

2 . Objection to County Managers cut in school budget

c. Sli!llpte le•ters

D. Leai=.ue of domen Voters titudy

II. '••erner activities in Su.'Ll!ler of' 1':153

A. Visits to play6l'ounds

B. State Association of County Commissioners

1 . Attitude to M ntgomery Count3

, , oerner gives three r eco:lt!llendations in resolut ion that are not

passed

3. Arthur Mill er attends

I I I . Controversy •ith press

A. Praise of press

B. :le.;bitt, President of Council , accusation

C. Joe Brechner, President of Count; Press ans~ers Nesbitt in letter

IV . Count~ Council and State Roods Coi:-.:nission

A. Road priorities in 1953

V. Stud) of Youth Co~nission of p3ychiatric ru:d psychological needs o -·

children known i:o social a<;encies i n Montgomery County

A. Presented by \..'erner '•ho had requested report

VI . Cour.ci l .or~s oo ordi3ance~

A. Child c~re ho~e$

B. Door to door solicitor3

VII. Relatio11ship of County Council and Personnel Beard

\ -

Il'o"TERVIE'.; XX!

;5tella a .. :erner

I . Members and officers of CoC1:1\.y Council io 1954

II . Republicans

A. ..uc:en in na:.ional part;, politics

III . BlacK vote

A. Lyttonsville Repor~

1. Cow1t:, recomr.iendat1ons

B. "Community Landscapir.~ Projects"

IV . Stete--ent on assess=ent proced.u-e

A. Co=ent b,}o nerner on preparation of s:i;eecbes

V. ;,'elf are Board

A. Members and scaff

B. Minute~ of January 21, 1954

1 . Staff personnel problems

~ . State meeting in !lagersto. n attended by ··erner and Royce

a . Children important

b. ~erners approach to •elfare programs through the family

VI. Road.a

A. Picture of officials at 3.8 oile section of .asbington National

PiKe bet~eeo H;att~to·n ar.d ClarKsburg

B. Road ~aintenance policy and hi~tory

INTERVIEW XXII

Stell a B. •erner

I . First teenage t r affic conference i n Fibruary, 1954

II . Individual s of spec ial i nterest in 1954

A. o. w. Anderson retires as County Ae,ent

l . Accomplishments in agriculture

B. J udge Alfred No,es

l . Controversy over salary

C. John Reeves

l. Praiiies ne• fonn of e;overrJ."ent

D. George Warner

l . Leading Republican

a . Other Republicans

E. Grover \\'a l ker

l . Opposed book mobil es doi.n county

.: . Represented Gaithersburg and backed beer sales

III . Personnel Board

A. Controversy over lat e hearing

I V. Statement on s lowness in making zoning decisions

V. Bond sale in 1954

VI. Ta><eS

A. Montgomery County Taxpayers Inc .

B. Stella •..teroer ' s comments before Keos i n"'ton Democratic Club

l . State County relationship

2 . Political comments

c. Council in co!lllnllnication •ith titate Tax Coir.r.iission

VII . Anne Spates, Secretar, to Council

A. Interest in clerk position

B. Letter to Werner and Walker

VIII. Stella Werner and others annollnce intentions to run for office at

League of >lomen Voters meeting

INTERVIEW XXIII

Stella B. Werner

I. Allied Civic Association Spring Meeting, April , 1954

A. Willard Morris, President

B. Department of Public Works, Mason Butcher reporting

C. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

D. Department of Finance

E. Industry in County

F. Park and Planning Commis sion

G. Department of Libraries

II. County Manager, Ed•ard Beall

A. Questionabl e conduct in Portsmouth

B. Jeptha Carroll, Acting Countj Mbna6er

I II. Be6i nning of Sil ver Sprin& library

IV . Co<!Dty Council approves a study of land plan or lar.d .ise by \lill ermain

v. Thomas Oyster of Wheaton

VI . "J ust. a Minute" !'ror.i Scnool 80ard

VII. Recreation Depart~ent

A. ,..lecit.ion raise11 abo.it County payin.,; , 5~ of maint.enar.ce cost

VIII . Be~innin6 01 Civil Defense or0wii_a.ion

A. Le.cri o! .)tate or FeJ.€::-al plar.s

IX . Conflic t .itn State aboui; as:.essments

X. Resignation of Beall

INTlllVIE'~ XXIV

Stella B. Werner

I. Legislation in May, 1954, paaaed by the County Council

A. Old lawa reviewed and refi ned

B. Enabllllg Acta

II . Talk to Soropti.m1sts about problems of old age

III. Health Department

A. Norman Pennington

l. Operation Rabies

2 . F&rma checked

B. Public Real.th nurses

IV. School Board Budget

A. School Board budget versus Count; Managers budget

l . Montgomery Cvunty taApayer s Inc.

,. • County Council and bud0 et

3. P.T. A.

4 . Finbl'lcial Advisor, Cv1rl!l.ittee

5. Clar~e Fauver

V. Miscellaneous b~&iness

VI. F~ri.:. 3.iblrban Maryland B111lders Associatioc. Conference

'

INTERVIE.W XXV

Stella B. Werner

I . Swimming pools summer of 1954

A. Study made by Recreation Department

I I . Recreation Department Annual Report

A. Members of Board

B. Operation and facilities

III . Personnel Board Program for pay raise3

IV . Bethesda ne·•s

A. Jaycees Annual A•ar<i to ','erner

B. Maple tree at Saahs ~tore front

V. Takoma Park woman ' s letter relative to assessments

VI. Glen Echo Fire Station

VII . Rid6e Road and Lone Oak Drive

VIII . Rats on >1isconsin Avenue

Ix. David Macdonsl resigns

A. S.ilfJ:Jary of County Attorney ' s office and record during his

fi ve years as county attorney

I . Politics in 1954

INTERVIE'• XXVI

Stella B. werner

A. Poll by Lewis Dexter

l . Eisenbo...,er could loose Mom;i;omery County

2 . Voters ••anted more ne11s on politics

3. Co..uity i.:;.;ues

a . Teachers a~laries

b . Civil defense

c • 3anita t ion

d . Taxes

B. Primary Campai~n

L Democrats "Harmony Ticket"

« . "Monti;;omery Democrat" paper

a . Information about tic~et

3. County Council candidates

4 . House of Delegates candidates

5. citate Central Committee candidates

o. Court House ce.ndid~tes

7. Governo~ candidates

8 . Letter from democratic "orker

9 . •heaton Caucus

INTERVIE'..: XXVII

Stella B. Werner

I . Resolution to stop hirin6 employees , January 1955

I I. Ne•dpaper article "Councilmer. Disaeree on Hiring Help"

A. Werner ' s speech

B. Other Council members comments

C. AleA Hancocks comments

D. Couucil hires personnel

III. Business Mens breakr'ascs

IV. Re-..uests

V. "oodi.~onL Triangle

VI . Fire Beard

I NTIBVlE" l\X VI II

Stella B. Werner

I . Miscellaneous problems in 1955

A. Civil defense

l . County office headed by Rear Admiral Hart.lg

a . Bort1<igs speech on c1'11 defense needs

B. School nursing

l . LouiJe Deni son, Jupervisor of School Nursiois report

C. C..istodial ei:;ploJees

1 . Briao Benson, Director of Finance of School Board ' s report

O. Integration

l . 3cnool Board appoints co::imi ttee to ~aKe recocr ... endations

II . Jrrnuar;, .. -"tir,0 .; lu 19'.I)

llI. Feor..ie.r;, :::e~~11 . .;s in 195'

IV . Fed.t.ral .• .., .. e:

A. Board of ~Q.JCation bu~ tours

V. Let.t.<..r.,,

•

INTERVIEW XXIX

$1;el la B. werner

I . Cow1tJ Cou:icil, April 1955

A. Change or positions on staff level

l . Abolished Department of Safety

2 . Mr . Miller, Department Director, letter of critici3m

a. Politics in police department

b . Fire departments nandling of money

3, Response to Mr . Miller's charges

a . appointment of ne• police chief, J ames Mc Auliffe

II. Park and Planning Commission make study for airpark

III. Bethesda businessmen ask for .j;l million in development

IV . April meeting of Allied Civic Federation

A. Dr . Les lie KnoA of the Health Department' s speech

V. L3ttonsville

A. Funds approved for overnaul clean-up program

B. Area has changed now to industrial

VI. Judge Woodward resigns

VII. 3chool Board budget

VIII. Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

Il<"1'ERVI EW XXX

Stella B. ·..:erner

I . I ntroductiou of bills , May 1955

II. Control or do.;s

III . Trees

A. Arlingt.:>n Road

IV . EAtension or Pearl Street

V. Extens i on of Waverly Street

VI. Maryland Conference on Co==ity Developcent

A. Werner ' s coir.ments

VII. werner ' s Job as SecretarJ> to the Council

A. Chec~iog minutes

B. ti i gning of Bonds

l . Trip to Ne,_. York

VIII. Bau~an' s request for h i s subdivision

IX. Locations for liquor outlets

A. Silver Spri~.g

B. Snure and ~erner clash

c. Letter of praise

D. Establiahl:lents in County ~1th liquor sales

X. Bud.get process

A. Reco:m:ieod cut in School Board budget

l . Large number or protest letters

2 . Groups at the hearing

B. Restored funds and increases to County Manager ' s budget

c. Grover •..talker' s statement

•

S•ella B. ~erner

I . Jul y , 1955, Complain• by Montt!;Omer;y County Republican Conference

A. Letter refered to County Attorney Charles Irelan

1. Represented t'.o out of to•n clients

B. Council presented a re~olution biving confidence to Mr . Irelan

C. Wick B>ron ' s com.~ents

II. Cow.ci l handl es li ttl<? details

A. Grass cutting

III . Council has no public relatic1;s persou

IV. Cow:cil hires Infor~ation and Research Officer

A. Mr . Alfred Sto'-le;hton gets the position

V. 5tate Association o~ County CoT.missioners

A. wer11er ' s speech there ,oakes lieadlines

l . Request for an office and a director

B. E;.pense i>ccount for trip

C • Onl y ••omen

VI . County staff !'or 1955

VII . Heaalines in local papers in 195)

I

I NTEl!VI Ew >.XX II

~tella B. •erner

I. Upper ~jon tgomer y co .. nt:. ,oning ordinance

A. Fir;;t Co.mcil appointed an l1P county pl aru.in., co=i~sicn

B. Tei:iporar~ ora.in&nce pas"ed in 1954

l .Ordinarice had broad objectiveo

~ .Hot:.er Hoyt..;) ~u.rve;>· ' ::i COl"'..:.'.ents

c . c ... i.trover&ey over c:.inii:.~- bail<11n.:; lot Jl_e

1 . Oppo~ition led by BrooKe Lee

a . County Fam. B.ireau

b . Co:u-.t:. ..wA o.r.er" A"soc .

c . 3ubaro«n ~'.urylar.o. Builders A3~0ci!it1on

~ . \,u.otes t'r:iCL. tneir ~tateclent3

o. Upper Co...r.t, i'lar.:iir . .:; C=!.i"lo~. reco=enas anotner tei;.;.::irar3

Lon1110 ordioar.ce

1. . rlcod;; o. letter;; for hJ;(l ac.aio;;t.

1'' . Ti.o.;e •1.0 er ·or l.&.rwe:r l ot Ji'"e

l. All do•n count; orbw.Lut.ion,;

(, . i{e:.ol ;tioa pre:>e:itt'<i oy U,,;>er ~'.or:t.,;°".er; C ... .ir.t) Pl anr:1n,; Co:::.-.is¥1on

n. Co.u.cll .. old.~ t.ei.r inc.

1. . Hi.suits or acarin.,; 131ven iu ,,.ashin.;ton Post editorial

a . c,,.ir.cil ac.opt" resol ~:1cr. cal l1a1, ror ne. :ic:r ... a .• .,,r.t zc.::e.

o. c..,~ncil :.ires Irvir . .- Hoot , planr11n t.i cor.s'..lltcnt, ·o ;ir.,pare

ordinunce

INTERV!Lw XXXIII

Stella B. •erner

I . Democratic party politics 1955- 56

A. Sides are forming between old line and ne.er party people

B. Basic difference was attitudes to••ard control of land use

c. Contest in preci11ct elections, Nov. 8 , l 955

l. ;;asbington Poi;t article, October 24

2 . T .o letters to Sidney dess and Jl'.s.r.,;e ::>tanley

O. Precinct ct:airaen that - ere elected

l . Contest over Dele.,;ates to State Convention

l . Meeting at Newton Brewer' s home

a . I t .as decided to oac~ a s l ate

2 . Ward Caddington re l eases s l ate

a . Caddington ' s st~tement

b . List or candidate& on his slate

3. List of candidates or; the "Democrats :'or State Convention" tic~et

4 . Headquarters for Dec:ocrats for State Convention in .:eroer home

F. Botn slates for Stevenson

G. Congressional candidates .ere Grahme ·.,r.,1><er ar.d John Foley

1 . werner did not publicly support either one

H. Meeting or all precinct chairman

1 . Tnings in General Col umn in Tribune, March ~O, 195o

I. Ar10icle in Maryland Ne• t> , "Opposition Appraisals of Cc .mty ' s

De:=.ocratic Poli ti cal ;;itruct ure"

l . Col..ioo b~ Blair Lee

2 . Column by PeggJ Sch•eir..r::a~t

J . we .on the primary on M~y ( , 195c

I. Root submits plan

l. Statistics from report

.:< . Five men explode in close!. s ession

3. Werner def ends plan

4 . Men determined to have their i.ay

J . County Attorney writes out procedure

K. Upper County Pl anning Commission presents plan

L. Council minutes setting up the ordinance

M. Publ ic hearing set

l . Montgomery County Civic Federation comments

N. Zoning ordinance passed on February 21, 1956

l . Councils statement

2 . Werner ' s statement

3. Ne.s clippings

llU"i:.RVlE.'• MXIV

5te~la B. •erner

I . Industrial and Cull'Jnercial Development Conference, January 19, 19'.>0

A. People •no particapated.

B. 3u:r.r.:aries of the different panel 3

II . Zon1n6 application for cocmercial u .. e near Cer::ian"°.n

A. •erner ~aKes motion that i~ pas.;ed for a Jectional plan of land

uue to be i:iade in tbe area

B. ~•rs . ~~..wc ie r.irea to r .. aKe plan

c. Articl~ appears in national ca&a ines of ~erner ar.d ~uncie

III . Civil Defenoe in l95o

A. Letter from Lois HaLell

B. Federal Cov.,rnment matchin..r er.one:>

C. I nventor; at locati<>n• over CO'-Ulty

IV. Fla .. n r'lOOd .iestroys brido:.e" i.r. J ul;

A. . :lt:ed ."or oet-:.er co:r.mur.1c&Lion

V. Betoesda fire subs t ation

VI. Pres .. ure for P'.lOlic pool.;

VII . •oo0.r..ont Triar.&le

A. ~ood.~ont Avec~e

B. BenJa:t.n :;e. -:on

C. Re-~oning to co~.mercial

VIII . Press Club e.;tabli shes scnolarohip

IX. Applic&.tio11 t'or Jafe'•&) oriing on Old Ceorgeto.n Road

l<. . Letter of coi.:;plaint about police r.&.rr&.ss=.ent

XI. Letter ol' coc.;;l.a1r.t al;out s iae.alK

Th"I'ERV U. • XXXV

Stella B. Olerner

I . Hospital bill for Sil ver Spring

A. Autbori .es county to borro. money to construct hospital

B. Silver Jpricg Hospital A~~ociation Inc . to oversee the construction

C. Ho~pital to be built on land biven U> tbe association by for:::er

commis~ioner~

o. T•o amendments ciefeated

E. Bill .a~ pa33ed by council

F. Re(er endw:: on bill

G. People \Oted no on bill

H. •erner did not •ant county to get involved

I. Catholics built hospital

II . Death of Or . Ed~in Broome, April 19)0

A. Or. Pullen, State 3upt . o~ Jchools , co::;.~ents

III . 1-(c .t<.inse; a.no. Co . repo:-t of tt.e ~ccool system

A. Criticio~ of scbool o edmini~tration titarted in 19~7

B. Jub COC'11!1ittee of Board or Education analy.es the report

l. They reco:rJ!.end ir.any ne·. administrative pooit1011s

2 . Other reco:::oendationb

C. Criticiso of report

l . Brian Benson, controller, ooard of education

~ . Civic Federation

IV . Scnool Board Budget ru-,d C~'11.ty Mar.agers cuts

v. c ... u.ncil ra ...... t:O> ta .. :" ..... te

IYl'i:J\Vlt• MXVI

S-Zel l a B . • eruer

I . General Election 1950

A. Former B~tler - T)dings c8':1pa1gn

l . Inve~tigation and conviction of Butler ' s campaign ~anager

2 . Senator Mc Carta; ' ~ hel p to Butl er

B. Primary can:paign

l . T;dings defeats Mahoney

C. r;ning& becomes 111 and M9.honey is picked to run

o. '•erner becoce:> Chainnan of Advisory Cc::-.mittee for Ma.c.oney in Mcntgocr.ery

l . Co.,...,.ittee brings together differ ent de..ocrats

2 . R11ll1es

3. Meeting where '•erner represented Mahoney

4 . Mahoney loo:>es Mor.tl)omery by l,000 'otes

I I . Silver Spri~ Hospital vote

A. Bob ;n..ire ' .; state<:ient

B. Maryland Ne.s editorial

I I I . Cne.nge of b~dget nate

IV . Count; Mar;ager Reese ' s t'itst report

V. Beautlfic11tion pro~rao

VI. Controversey over :·ire depart.: .. ent"

VII . .;;eptic ~:, .. te:~ ror Pool esville Hit!ll School

VIII . "Emergencies D.::>o ' t ~ait •eel<"

A. •erner ' .; vppoai tion

Ill . Streeta

X. ..err.e?' electtd -:.o Board or Dir .. ctors of State Assoc . 01' Coun•y Coor.:-.1~sioners

XI. Election of Co..:.cil on leers

A. Tri~~·e article

•

INI'ERVIEw XXXVII

Stella B. '•err.er

I . State Legislature 195o-1957

A. Subjects of interest to Montgomery County

B. Liquor control la•>

l . Bac~ground of system

Legislation to cnar.ge l iquor plan

3. Hearing on plan

4 . Bill defeated

II. Pau and Plaimin,s Coruraission

A. " 5 year p l an

l . Highlights of plan

c . Citi,ens groups interest

a . Planning Associati on members

b . Planning Association >tatement

B. ~e6oe Repor~

"

INTERVIEll XXXVII I

Stella B. Werner

I. See;oe Report

A. Summary

I I . Bill s pertaining to Park and Pl anning Commission

A. Duckett Bil l

B. Lee-Wil«inson Bill

l . Sumrr,ary of bill

c. Sch•ei nhaut Bill 3

l . Summar y of bil ls

D. Ci vie Feder ation backs Sch·•einhaut Bills

E. Montgomery Count~ Pl anning Association ;;tatement

F. League of \ioman Voters stand

G. Senator Nor tnrop ' s sta;ement

H. Hearing in Annapolis on bills

L Werner ' s statement at hearing

I . BJnd Smith, General Counsel to Par~ and Planning Com!::iSsion, statement

J . Star Article March 8, 1957

l . Sch•einhaut Bil ls defeated

K. Star Article March 29, 1957

l . Governor oigus Lee Bil l

L. Post Article March 25, 1957

III . Functional frat£1Lentation 'oday

INI'ERVIEW XXXlI

Stella B. Werner

I. Other bill s in Annapolis in 1957

A. State permission to construct util ity l ines across Potomac River

II . State Roads

A. January 1957 summation of projects in Montgomery County

B. Werner ' s statement

c. Traffic problems in Bethesda

l . Parking ban

III. Inventory tax

I:V. Farm tax

A. New assessment law

l . Star, January 23, 1957

V. Council minutes of January 15, 1957

A. Items on the agenda

L Vacancy on Personnel Board

a. Applicants

2 . Public trunk sewer

a, Werner ' s suggestion

3. Ordinance to control smoke

a. Action was deferred

4. Report on County jail

a, One of most efficient in state

b . Recommendations

!Nl'ERVIEW XLV

Stella B. Werner

I . Council business in 1958

A. Cabin John Plan

l. 13,000 acres '11th a Park and Planning Commission plan

2 . Council by ordinance ~ones it according to plan

3. Description of Cabin John Watershed

4. Wick Byron's column in Rockville Record

5. Bearing on plan

6 . Map

B. Wheaton Regional Park

l . Different procedure in land acquisition

2. Maryland Ne\ls article

3. Werner ' s response to article

4. Map

5. Only one opposition to the acquisition of the land

c. Route 240

l . Hearing on proposed routes into District of Columbia

2. Many ne\ls articles and letters

3. Route is never finished

INTERVIEW XLl

Stella B. Werner

I . County airport begun in 1957

A. County authori~es money to set up Revenue Authority

B. Civil Aeronautics Administration allocates money

C. County Manager authori~ed to make study

II. Werner introduced the "antibulldo~er" bill

A. Washington Post article

B. Bill is passed

III. Minutes of Council meeting where members of the Park and Planning

Commission were appointed as a Board of Montgomery County

A. Motions and admentments made on appointments

B. Reaction to the appointments

l . Blair Lee's comments

2. Ward Caddington•s comments

3. Helen Smith's letter

IV. Letter on improving homesteads

v. Silver Spring County Building

A. Location of old buildings

B. Three locations recommended for new building

l . Objections to locations

VI. Purchase of Eig property

A. Legal protest over .oning

B. Assessment controversy

C. Ml!mO to Mr. Reese from Mason Butcher

D. Letter from President or Woodside Park Civic Association

E. Letter from SilTer Spring Business Association

F. Maryland News October 18, 1957

l . Werner's statement

o. Maryland News Editorial

VII. Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

INTERVIEW XI.II

Stella B. Werner

I . Park and Plannings new building

II. Z.Oning extension denied on Arlington Road

III . Council granted a light industrial ~one in Olney

r.v. Crime report for 1957

v. Council sets up Coordinating Committee to over come functional

fragJDentation

VI. Priority of sewer needs

VII. Washington Star story "Metro City of Tomorrow"

VIII. Beginning of Council of Goverrunents

A. Werner represents Montgomery County

B. The Water Supply and Pollution Abatement Committee

IX . Wheaton Library

A. Letters concerning location

B. Opening of library

x. Wheaton Chamber of Commerce statement

XI . New Council officers for 1958

XII. Werner announces candidacy

INTERVIEW XLIII

Stel la B. Werner

I . Events leading up to Democratic Primary in 1958

A. Democrats for State Convention

B. Group continues to hold meetings

C. Steering Committee appointed

D. The name "Montg0111ery County Democratic Caucus" is adopted

E. Caucus activities in summer of '57

F. Rockville Record of Thursday, October 3, 1957

G. Ways and Means Committee appointed to try to work out procedure

for getting candidates

H. Candidates are to be selected from slates recommended by precinct

chairmen

I I. Henry Bains fact sheet

A. Cronological history of Caucus

l . Committees appointed

2 . Getting well qual ified candidates to run

III. Candidates set up their own tickets

A. "Democrats for "58"

B. Precinct chairmen not in on the forming of tickets

C. Call from Ray Murphy

IV. Free Democrats split with the Democrats for 58

V. "Things in General" column of Tribune, March 21, 1958

A. Report of Meeting at Caddingtons

l. Council ticket they picked

2. Ed Bright to be Werner's opponent

3. Other ticke~ candidates

VI. "Things in Genera.l" column of Tribune, March 28, 1958

A. Summary

VII. "Things in General" column of Tribune, April 4, 1958

A. Report of meeting

VIII . Werner is a part of tbe Democrats for '58

INI'ElWIEW XLIV

Stella B. Werner

I . Primary Campaign 1958

A. Lines drawn between United Democrats and Democratic Caucus

B. Dean Atchison comes into campaign

l . Meeting at his home

2. Quotes in press

3. Beccxnes the Treasurer tor Democrats for ' 58

C. Controversey over Eli~abetb Asay

D. Democrats tor ' 58 campaign literature

l . Statements in leaflet

2. Members of ticket

3. Mistake in not having full ticket

E. T\lo most important iaaues

l . Conflict ot interest

2 . Active Democratic Party

F. Literatur tor United Democratic candidates

l. Members of the ticket

2. Platform is accomplishments ot last Council

3. Statement on confl ict ot interest

G. Werner' s involvement in campaign

l. One hundred dollar donnation

2. Member ot .Advisory Committee of ticket

3. Attend cottee hours

a . How to conduct a coffee hour

4. Campaign feelings

H. Campaign headquarters

I . El ection results

l . Council winners

2. State Convention Delegates

3. St ate Central Committee members

J . Letter sent out to all the Democrats for ' 58 people

K. Other women candidates in state

L. New State Central Committee

II . General Election Ctilllpaign in 1958

A. Montgomery Democrat Newspaper

l. State ticket

2. Council ticket

3. Court House candidates

4. Platform

B. Werner's statement

C. All Democrats win

1 . Werner leads the ticket

2. Letter from opponent

Im'ERVIEW XLVI

Stella B. Werner

I . Snow storm, Feb. 15, 1958

A, Fourteen inches

B. Schools closed 5 days

C. Cost the County $1,000 an hour

D. Up County is isolated

E. Only time in 12 years that Werner had transportation to Council

II. Integration in the County Schools in 1958

A. Only 1/3 of negro children in integrated schools

B. Sentinel article, March 27, 1958

l . Chi l dren only allowed to transfer with approval of parents

and superintendent

c. Sentinel article of April 10, 1958

l. Council elimi nates money to convert negro high school

2, Werner and Grahame Walker opposed the cut

D. Letter from League of Women Voters to Council

III. Budget for 1959

A, Approved in April of 1958

B. List of 30 supplemental items to County Managers budget approved

l. Votes exchanged for Mass. Ave. l ibrary and River Road

C, Vote on County Managers salary

D. Citizen response

l . Sentinel article by Roger Farquar

E, Total budget was $64 million

l . Tax rise of 3 cents

III. Zoning ordinance and map

A. Effective June 1, 1958

B. ParK and Planning held original hearing on it

C. To establish uniform zoning for entire county

D. Provided brake on reduction of lot s i ze

E. Tripled amount of 2 acre ~oning

F. Objection to 2 acre zoning

1. Washington Post article of May 28, 1958

a. Charlie Jamison ' s land

G. Council minutes May 30, 1958

1 . Motions on ordinance

H. Council minutes May 31, 1958

l. Zoning ordinance is approved

-I.

INTDWIEW XLVII

Stella B. Werner

New Brlldl.ey Elementary School

A. Bad oud situation

II. Recommendations made by Werner to correct future situations

A. Time shortened bet.een bul1do~ing aoci construction

B. Sidewalks be required

C. Mandatory walkways

D. Coordination bet•een Sanitary COII:l!lission and road permits

E. Recommendations are carried out

III. Money allocated for the unemployed employables

IV. Charles Irelan, County Attorney resigns

A. Irelan'a report

l. Different cases handled

2 . Delinquent tax collections

3. Land acquisition&

~ . Commitments to institutions

5. Accident claims

t> . Ordinances prepared

V. Bond Smith, Attorney to Park and Planning Commission resigns

VI. River dams on the Potomac

A. Dam at Seneca

~ . Letter to Werner from D. C. Commissioner Welling

VII. Council minutes, June 3, 1958

A. Zoning application for llt> acres

l. Council denies request

B. Werner presides at afternoon session

l. Peddling adjacent to schools

2 . Amendment needed to Charter

3. Front foot benefit project, Idlevood Road

VIII . Montgomery County Economic Development Forum

IX. Personnel Boards new proposals

X. Taxicab fare rates

XI . Hearing to license and regula te cemeteries

XII . Ordinance passed against hitchhiking

XIII . Rock Creek Dam

A. Meeting of W. S . S .C. and Park and Planning Commission and Prince

Georges County Commissioners

B. Committee is formed and makes report

C. Resolution to set up financing

D. Groundbreaking of Dam in 1963

XIV. Revenue Authority

A. Study of Airport

B. Study of golf course

c. Council authori~es more money

XV. Individual community interest

XVI . Overhead pover lines

A. Montgomery County Sentinel editorial, Nov. 20, 1958

l . Council meeting of Nov. 18, 1958

XVII . Dedication of ne1o1 fire house at Cedar Lane and Ol d Georgetovn Road:

XVIII . Social gatheri ngs of the Council

INI'ERVIEW XLVIII

Stell a B. Werner

I. New Council takes office December 2, 1958

A, Letters of encouragement

B. Council Informational Bulletin

C. Picture of the swearing in

D. First meeting

l . Werner is elected the first woman President of the Council

a . Newspaper articles

2 . Resolution is passed to establish Conflicts of Interest Committee

a . Members of the committee

3. Request for a reconsideration of a GOning request

a. Legal opinion

4. Werner reports on National Association of County Officials meeting

5. Commendation on handling of River Road fire

6. Suburban Hospital contract on indigent County patients

a . Memo from County Manager Reese

b . Council requires hospital audit

c . Prior to this Werner had always put a supplemental appropri­

ations into the budget for the hospital

Ilfl'ERVIEW XLIX

Stella B. Werner

I . December 3, 1958 Council meeting

A. Mrs . William Hepburn appointed to the Board of Appeals

B. Letter asking for youth detension facility

C. Resolution passed to adhere to standards to prevent pollution of

Potomac River

D. Discussion on what to do about dogs

E. Control of construction of towers for power lines

F. Council invites press to meet with them

G. Council bas a closed session with the County Manager

II. Council meeting with the Press Association

A. Byron Sedgwick and J, R. Wiggins criticiLe Council for its

closed session

B. Werner ' s answer to protest

l . Council discusses only 3 things in preliminary discussion

a . Personnel appointments

b . Ac~uisition of property for County

c. Conferences with staff

III. Letter concerning new Bureau of Standards

IV. Letter about LOning cases in Rosemary Hills

V. Opening of section of high~ay from Montrose Road to Old Georgetown

Road, December 18, 1958

VI . Resignation of William Burrage, planner for the M.N.c .P.&P.c .

VII. Problem of apartments allowed in commercial Lone and Westwood

A. Al Carter's legal opinion

B. Hearing on :.oning change

VIII. Council meeting with Park and Planning Commission

A. Twelve items on agenda for discussion

IX. Personnel Board appointments

A, Mrs. Robert Angle

B. Mr. Sandison re-appointed

X. Twenty-five year report of the Welfare Board, 1934-1959

A. Categories helped by Public Welfare

B. Former Presidents of the Board

I1fl'mVIEW L

Stella B. Werner

I. Dog control ordinance - Marcb, 1959

A. Bearing on ordinance

l . Voice of America \o&a tbere to broadcast tbe bearing

2 . Humane societies in favor of control

B. Ordinance is passed

l . Details of ordinance

I I . Ord.inance to regulate milk and. milk products

A. News clippings about tbe situation

l . Tile Record states its vie•

a . Statement from Werner

2 . Maryland News

a . Summary of tbe ordinance

3. ~aahington Dail y News article by Martha Strayer

4. Washington Post articl e from the front page

a , Congress gets into it

B. Bearing on ordinance

l . Jack Anderson' s report in the Washington Post

c. Ordinance does not pass

l. Article in Star on Sunday, J uly 5, 1959

a . Federal order

I II . School Board budget in 1959

A. Montgomery County Education Associati on report

l . Average teacher in Montgomery County

2. Teachers salary scale

B. Letters about bud.get

IV. Bearillg OD budget

A. Views of different county orgao1, atioos

1. Allied Ci Yic Group

2. Civic Federation

3. County Council of PTA' s

4. Kensington Wheaton Democratic Cl ub

v. Council bolds work sessions on the budget

VI. Report from Montgomery F.ducator

A. Teachers salary scale as proposed by Board of F.ducation was ad.opted

IBTERVIEW LI

Stella B. Werner

I . Finali~ing the budget in 1959

A. New tax rate

l. Thirty cents increase

2 . County Manager had recommended 49 cent raise

B. Other items in budget that were approved

C. The tax dollar

D. Letters of approval for increase of teachers salaries

E. Maryland News article concerning budget

II. May legislative session in 1959

A, Fire department boundaries

B. Parking lot districts

III. Some of the many functions Werner participated in as President of the

Council

A. Western Suburban Democratic Club panel discussion

B. Gcound breaking of new science building at the Junior College

c. Conference on handicapped and retarded children

D. Seminar on soil erosion, natural topography and open space planning

l . Conunittee is formed from this seminar

a . Their first report

E. Westbrook School

F . Western Bethesda Conununity Planning Association

l. Letter of thanks

IV. Appointments to Suburban Sanitary Conunission

A. Washington Post article on May 20, 1959

l. Werner ' s statement regarding the appointments

2. Frank Hewitt and Willa.rd Morris appointed as recoaimended

by the Democratic State Central Collllllittee

3. Councilman Frosh and Werner supported Darius Phillips

B. Memo from Margaret Carpenter and Ray Murphy

V. Sixth National Watershed Congress, May 25, 1959

A. Werner ' s explaination ot the Rock Creek Watershed

B. Werner gives what the county policy should be regarding the watershed

c. Representatives from all over the country are taken on Rock

Creek trip

lllTERVIEW LII

Stella B. werner

I . werner represents National Association of Counties and the Washington

Metropolitan Regional Conference at Senate Hearing

A, Picture of Werner and Hubert Humphrey

B. Hearing referred to Senate Bill No. s. 910

C. Letter from Mr . Heldebrand, Exec. Dir. of National Association

of Counties

II. State bill to place ceiling on teachers salaries

A. Margaret Schweinhauts statement

III . Purchase of property on Falls Road for Golf Course

A. Revenue Authority takes option on it

IV, Report by Moody

A. Bond rating of county, Feb. 9, 1959

v. Dun and Bradstreet report, February 1959

A. Conditions relating to the overall economy of the county

B. County financial administration

C. Taxable valuation of county

VI. Wheaton Library

A. Cithens Advisory Committee of Wheaton meets with Council

l. Their statement regarding library

VII. Letter from General and Mrs . Herron

VIII. Maryland Municipal League

IX . League of Women Voters letter

X. State Legislature, March 1959

A. Councils request for taxing powers denied

B. Councils request to take over storm drainage and trash coll ection

denied

XI. First Urban County Congress

A. Picture of Sen. Kennedy and Werner and Vice President Nixon

B. Werner on panel, "How to Get the Job Done"

1 . Other people on program

2. Parts of Werner's speech

INI'ERVIEW LIII

Stella B. Werner

I . Werner ' s Council business, Summer of 1959

A. Article by Mildred Harman, The Record, July 16 , 1959

1 . Week of June 20, 1959

a . Sunday - spoke at dedication of Wheaton Gleohaven Swimming

Pool and Bethesda Country Club

b . Monday - Spoke at Junior College and represented Council in

Gaithersburg

c. Tuesday - Presided at Council meeting and spoke to Maryland

State Roads Commission

d. Wednesday - Spoke at ground breaking for nursing home,

attended funeral of county employee, represented county at

Rock Creek Park, represented Council at opening of District

Alcoholic Clinic and represented Council at opening of

Equitable Building and Loan Association

e . Thursday - Attended change of command at Naval Medical Center

and spoke at the SilTer Spring Toastmistress Club banquet

f, Friday - Speaker at the National Library Association meeting

B. Werner always used her own car and gasoline

II. National Library Association Meeting

A. Werner gives talk on local library and how it functions

B. Werner's statement in paper

C. Letter of appreciation

III. Suburban Maryl and Buil ders meeting

A. Werner speaks on panel

B. Other members of the panel

c. Magazine article about meeting

1 . Summary of objectives

2 . Ed Bennett expresses what Werner thought then

IV. County has big construction year

A. Large number of building permits issued

B. Many zonning appl i cati ons

V. Council meeting with State Roads CoD1Di ssion

A. County road projects not being built

B. Council handl es meeting well

C. Press report of meeting

VI. Mass transportation survey

A. Werner ' s criticism of survey

I. June 1975

INTERVIEW LV

Stella B. Werner

A. Werner ' s 50th Wedding Anniversary

l . News release

II . Summer of 1959 county business

A. Council for Better Education

B. Council takes tour of County libraries

c. Correspondence from citizens

l . Oscar Sutenneister

a . Planning position

2. Scott Brewer, Jr.

a, Drainage problem

3, Rat problem in Oakview

4. Peggy Mann

a . Parking problem in Seneca

D. Silver Spring County Building

l . Report in Tribune on land acquisition

2. Editorial in Maryland news on location

3. Werner meets with Downtown Silver Spring Business Men

E. Quote from Werner ' s speech on bill to abolish aid to education

I . Multifamily housing

INTIBVIEW LV I

Stella B. Werner

A. Experts statements

l. Frederick Gutheim, Land Planning Consultant

2 . Arnold Kroostadt, Engineer Consultant

3. Frank Hieght, Mortgage Banker

4 . Spencer Sander, L nd Planner

5, John Neumann, SMBA General Council

6. Nathan Baily, Economist

II . Werner represents County at meeting of the County Planning Committee

of the National Association of County Officials, November 1959

A. Werner works on draft of policy statement

B. First statement of planning policy by Association

III . Treod in Montgomery County turning to smaller lot siLes

A. Shapiro tract of 746 acres on Norbeck Road

B. Development in Glenmont of 27 acres

IV. Re~ooiog for apartments

A. Washington Post, November 15, 1959, editorial cr1tic1~ing

Planning Board

B. Letters of protest from concerned citiLens

C. Letter of protest from 19 Democratic Precinct Chairmen

D. Montgomery County Sentinel editorial

E. David Cahooo' s letter in answer

F . Washington Post article, December 23, 1959

V. Light industry in the County

A. Article in The Star by Anne Christmas

B. Speech given by County Manager Reese to Allied Civic Group

C. Creation of new light industry , one

D. Col11111bia Road Citi~ens Association requests plan

IH'l'ERVIEW LVII

Stella B. Werner

I . Committee on Conflicts of Inter~at

A. Report of Collllllittee is submitted to Council on November 6, 1959

B. Membero of the COCllDittee

c. Committee's assigDment

D. Contents of report

E. Report holds national interest

l . Tribune article

2. •eruer' s remarks to National Association of County Officials

II. Council meets with Prince Georges County Co!Dlllissioners

A, Procedure for boundary line between counties

III. Juvenile Court Committee reports on detention home

IV . New law passed on the handling of trash

V. Health and 1oelfare problems of national capital area

VI. Board of Education Policy Report, D<!cember 2, 1959

A. Hig)':lights of Report

VII, Problem of door-to-door salesman

VIII. Bethesda Chamber of Commerce holds Consumers - Merchants forum

IX. Cowicil sends list of applicants for Personnel Board to Democratic

State Central COlllDittee

A. Washington Post article of Dec, 23, 1959

X. Growing Woman' a Suburban Democratic Club

Th'I'DlVIEI.' LVIII

Stel la B. wer ner

I. Werner receives plaque from Hadassah

II. New officers of Council elected for 1960

III . Resi gnati on of County Manager Reese

A. Article in Maryl and News on March 18, l9o0

B. Reese ' s feelings about his position

c. New Job in Miami

IV. Muson Butcher to be Acting Count y Manager

V. Budget

A. Pressure to restore cute to School Board Budget

l . Bradl ey School

2. Fernwood El ementary and west B~theeda J unior High

3. Alex Hancocks speech to SilYer Spring Board or Trade

VI . Counci l s decisions on the budget

VII. Tax rate is rai sed 5 cents

VIII. The 5 to 2 vote needed to oYeri de the County Managers budget

A. Tribune editorial l'.ary 13, l '}tiO

B. Werner ' s point of vi ew

lRTERVIDI LIX

Stella B. Werner

I. l9o0 White House Conference on Children and Youth

A. werner represents National Association of County Officials at

Conference

B. Structure or Conference

c. In Montgomery County Coaaission for Youth made preparations for

Conference

l. Members of Commission

2. Short summary or their report

a. Problems in communi ty that affect cbilrens lives

b . we.at should be done about problems

D. Report of the State Conference

E. County help for youth in budget

F. Bethesda Youth Center

l . Use of center

2. Cost of center

3. Location or center

4 . Teen clubs

C. Werner makes report of •'bite House Conference to County Officer

.Magadne

l. Report is put into Congressional Record

2. Summary of Report

II. Loi teriQ8 in the County

A. Report of County Attorney

B. werner recoma:eoda Youth C<llmlission maxe study of probl em

c. No anti-loiter1Q8 law is passed

I II. Zoning cases in l9o0

A. 137 acres for indus t ry in Laytonsville is granted

B. Apartments are denied at Viers Mi ll Road and Connecticut Avenue

c. Apartments in Tuoms Po<ric are denied

D. Apartments for Pooka Rill are granted

f. , Apartments are approved for Battery Lane in Bethesda

IV. ~erner ' s basis for ~oning decisions