Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01

than 10 days before the first Wednes-
day in January in every legislative
year the members of the majority
party shall meet in Annapolis, or in a
more convenient place, and in caucus
shall elect their presiding officer and
! desk officers and appoint such commit
tees as shall enable the General AS
sembly at its first meeting to at once
carry on the legislative business Of
the state without the usual delays.
Natural Gas.
Arthur D. Foster, representing the
Columbia Gas and Electric Company,
appeared before the Senate Corpora
tions Committee in behalf of the bill
introduced by Senator Ogden, giving
natural gas companies the same
privilege of condemnation for the con-
struction of pipe lines and appurte-
nances as are enjoyed by other public
service corporations. The committee
received his plea favorably, and it is
quite likely that the bill will be re-
ported favorably.
Censorship Bill Passes.
Mr.. BTyant's bill to establish a state
board of moving-picture cenSors came
up on its third reading in the House
under special order. Mr.. Wilkinson
led the fight against the bill, declar-
ing an overwhelming sentiment existed
in the state against a movie censor
ship. Mr.. Hail attempted to secure an
adjournment. but the House voted him
down. He then moved to have the bill
go over, but the House was determined
to reach decision on censorship. Ma.
jority Floor Leader Bryant took up
the argument where Mr.. Hall had in
terrupted it.
Upon rollcall the bill was passed by
C5 votes to 26.
County Treasurers.
Two bills of interest to Baltimore
county were introduced by Senator
Allen. One of these lowers the salary
Df the county treasurer from $2,500 to
$1,000. His commission is to be l pei
tent. on the State taxes, but this must
not exceed $500, and this he will re-
ceive in addition to his salary. All
fees and commissions in excess Of the
amount shall be held by him as part
of the funds of the county. For clerk
hire he is allowed $4,000, or $500 more
than is now paid.
A second bill repeals the act passed
in 1914, which released all of the coun-
ty treasurers who held the Office since
1873 for all claims the State might
have against them for sums withheld
il excess of the amounts fixed by law
The preamble in the bill sets forth
that these treasurers failed to disclose
the fees and commissions withheld;
that in their pleas of confession and
avoidance the element of guilty con-
fession predominated to an extent that
warranted demand for more infor-
nation.
Child Labor Law.
Delegate Emmett White is much
exercised over reports which are being
circulated in reference to his bill
amending the child labor laws. Mr..
White says:
my bill, among other things, pro-
vides an eight-hour day and prohibits |
work after P. NJ, for children under |
16 in nearly all industries, except can
ming and farm work This is the only |
provision which has aroused any op |
position. 1t is being stated by some |
persons who oppose the bill that it
prohibits work by children under 16 |
years. This is untrue.
Il now understand that several en-
plOyers of children are fighting the |
eight-hour provision. We have an |
eight-hour day law for men employed |
by the city and all federal employees
in this state, and it seems to me that
the little girls and boys who are forced |
to earn their own livings should have
at least this much protection. These
girls are the future mothers of our
workers and if we are going to permit
them to be weakened by long hours of
labor then we may expect to have in
feriOr, inefficient laborers to do our
work in the future. l am anxious to
see our working Children have an op-
portunity to recreate and develop and
grow up to be strong, healthy and ef
fcient workers. 1t was for this rea-
sen, in the main, that l came to the
legislature, and trust that the selfish
interests which are opposing my bill
will not be able to obscure the issue
and defeat the eight-hour day for chill
dren. The sentiment of this state is
in favor of the measure"
For a State Cemetery.
President Campbell introduced bill
which provides for the appointment of
an unpaid commission of IL citizens
by TIE Governor to take under advise
ment and formulate plans for the
of a Maryland State
Cemetery, which will l'be accessible to
croachment from any city. The COM
mission is to report to the next session
Of the General Assembly. The report
of the commission is to be made in
the form of bill, which will give sug-
gestiOns as to sites and prices for land
and recommendation for the creation
of a fund for the perpetual care of
the cemetery by the State.
More Liquor Revenue.
Additional revenue will accrue to
the State from the sale of liquor if a
bill introduced by Senator Johnson is
enacted into law. 1t provides that in
every saloon or restaurant, wholesale