Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-06
MARYLAND Democrats Formu-
late Legislative Program.
HOLD SECRET CONFERENCE
Bills to Be Framed in Advance Of
Meeting Of Legislature.
EXTRA SESSION ABANDONED
Removal From Politics of Roads
Commission and School Boards.
Baltimore Police Bill.

BALTIMORE, December 6.-Thc con-
crete result of the secret conference of
democratic leaders held In Washington
Monday night was the appointment Of a
committee Of five lawyers, representing
every faction in the party. with instruc-
tons to formulate bills embodying the
ideas agreed upon.
The committee included the following:
Attorney General Isaac Lobe Straus,
Representative ]. Harry Covington, Sen
ator Blair Lee, Former Judge William ].
Witzenbacher and Mr.. William L. Mar
bury.
MI Marbury was the only member of
the committee who did not attend. but it
is asserted that he is in thorough accord
with the plans of the leaders and will
assist in the preparation of the bills. An
other general conference will probably be
| he'd next Monday night in Washington,
when 1t is expected that bills carrying
out the plans will be submitted.
Report Arouses Excitement.
| The report of the conference created in
terest and excitement among both demo-
| Gratis and republicans. Everybody was
4
| and inquiries were made as to feasibility
Of putting it through.
| While many questions were discussed
bearing on the party and the state, it
was definitely agreed to put the party
! machinery behind the following meas
ures:
| The removal of the state roads COM
mission from politics and the perpetual
. ton of the rreSenf commission
The removal of the appointment of
school boards for the different counties
from the governor-elect and the lodging
OF the appOtntive power Of the boards in
the state board Of education, which is to
be mdae non-partisan.
| The creation Of one-man police board
for Baltimore city and the merging of the
board Of liquor license commissioners and
| the board of police examiners with this
department.
Wilson Law in Allegiance.
Final action was not taken on the ques-
ton Of the Wilson ballot law. this being
deferred for action by members of the
legislature and the party leaders In the
| eleven Wilson ballot law counties. 1t
was agreed, however, to remove all pro-
visions of the law, If 1t is not repealed,
| that permit the formulation of the So
called trick ballots.
| There will be no extra session of the
legislature, it being deemed advisable to
put the legislative program through in the
| first six days of the regular session with
Gov. Crothers in the executive Office.
| AS far lies in their power. the con-
ferees agreed to oppose any contests on
the governorship OF on seats In the house
of delegates.
While those who attended and many
other democrats believe that the passage
of such a program will be declared by
republicans to be partisan legislation.
they assert that partisan politics will not
enter into consideration and that the en-
| tire program will be advocated on the
ground that 1t is good public policy and
will do much to take the departments af-
fected out OF politics. 1t will be de-
clared that in standing by this legislation
the democratic party has its eye exclu-
sively upon the future welfare of the
state and that should 1t ever regain en-
tire control of the state government it
will not repeal the laws passed.
Governor Responsible for Call.
| The conference was called by Gov.
Crothers. Because it was held In the Office
| Of Senator John Walter Smith, 1t was at
| first believed that he had issued the call.
The senator, however, had considerable
to do with the preparation of the list of
those invited.
The organization OF the legislature and
| the election of the treasurer were not dis
cussed, nor was the redemption of the
pledges made by the party in Its recent
| state platform. These questions, together
with many recommendations to be mace
| by Gov. Crothers in his message to the
| legislature, will be discussed at future
conferences, and it is likely that the pro-
gram will be greatly enlarged.
| One of the most significant points
decided was the declaration that the
leaders would not support any unseat-
| ing Of republican members Of the
| house of delegates.
Such a procedure would unquestion-
| ably be recognized as partisan and
| would certainly destroy public con-
democrats. Irrespective Of their in
dividual merits
Legislation to Be Expedited.
Only three legislative days are re-
quired to pass bills by the house. and
| 1t is pointed out that on the third day
they could be considered by the senate
and passed under suspension of the
rules.
4 Democrats believe that the republi-
can members will filibuster against
any measures backed by them, but
they do not anticipate that their legis-
lative program can be blocked by any
such tactics.
1t Is proposed that all the bills be
agreed~upon in their entirety, and be
engrossed and re-engrOssed before the
legislature convenes. They would then
be in a position to be passed hurriedly
and under no condition would the
democratic majority allow the republi-
cans to amend them.
II 1t Is expected that the committee Of
five. Of which Mr.. Straus will be chair
man. will meet this week and begin its
work.
"A Lost Pawn" a tale of African adj
venture, by Edear Beecher Bronson, en-
tered in our prize story competition. See
our next Sunday Magazine.