Middletown transcript., 1916-12-23
STATE
CAPITAL

/ a scheme OF financial concFob was
given general approval in discussion a
the Ninth Annual Governors Confer
ence. Its provisions were outlined BY
| Governor Harrington, of Maryland, anC
by DR.. Frank J. Goodnow, president oi
Johns Hopkins University, who was
chairman of a committee that drafted
the plan.
The Maryland budget plan as de
scribed by Governor Harrington seeks
to make impossible an expenditure oi
more money in appropriations than is
received by the commonwealth from
all sources. 1t centers authority in the
governor.
Governor Holcomb described the
Connecticut system of naming a state
financial board to assist in planning
appropriations and told how the states
Indebtedness had been reduced by sew
eral million dollars within the last few
years. Others outlined the fiscal sys'
TENS of their own states and praised
the executive budget plan. Governor
elect Goodrich, Of Indiana, said he ex-
pected to put through the budget at
the next legislative session.
Working For Military Road.
Seven associations in Charles and
the lower section of Prince Georges
county organized recently to work for
the construction of a military highway
from Annapolis to Indian Head, on the
Potomac river, have consolidated un
der the name of the Winthrop-Indian
Head-Washington Military Highway
Association. Prof. R. l. Manning, of
Aquasco, has been named to confer
with Governor Harrington and the
State Roads Commission with view
of expediting the survey authorized by
the Blanford bill, passed at the last
session Of the Legislature.
Hervey S. knight has been chosen
president of the central committee of
the association and Theodore F. Menk,
secretary and treasurer. Mr.. Seller, of
the American Automobile Association,
has offered to furnish the association
with maps Of the proposed route Of the
highway. Letters will be sent by Gov
ernor Harrington, the State Roads
Commission and the States representa-
tives in Congress urging them to sup
port the project. The proposed high
way, it is pointed out, would benefit
the people Of Charles and Prince
Georges counties and promote the
growth of the bottom lands country
along the Potomac river.
Governor Plans Action.
Formation of a State commission to
Investigate the cause of the increase
in poverty and insanity in Maryland is
contemplated by Governor Harrington.
The Governor made his first announce
ment to this effect Immediately after
addressing the annual meeting of the
United Hebrew Charities of Baltimore
at the Maryland Theatre.
81 have not decided just what course
I will adopt to get to the bottom of
this" he said at the conclusion of the
meeting, "but have been thinking of
appointing a commission to make an
investigation. The cases of insanity
in Maryland, was recently told by
an expert, are increasing at the rate
of about $50 year
A hint as to his purpose was made
by the Governor in his address, when
he said he wanted to "inaugurate a
campaign" that had to do with finding
means of caring for the States de-
pendents, including not only those per-
sons without means of support, but
also the insane and negroes suffering
from tuberculosis.
Bowie Charter Upheld.
The Court of Appeals has affirmed
the decision of Judge Fillmore Beall,
of the Circuit Court for Prince
Georges county, sustaining the legality
of the act of the 1916 session Of the
legislature Incorporating the town of
Bowie. Among the Several interesting
points raised in opposition to the
legality of the charter was the conten-
ton that Governor Harrington had
failed to sign the bill after its passage
by both branches of the legislature
within the period prescribed by the
State Constitution. Had the appellate
court overruled Judge Beall much i'm
portant legislation Of the 1916 session
would have been declared null and
void.
His Radio In Bed.
Midshipman J. B. Dow, Of the new
fourth class at the Naval Academy,
who has had five years experience as
a radio operator with the Marconi
Company, has connected the springs
of his own bed and those of the beds
of two room-mates with a receiving
apparatus and has picked up messages
from and to the Arlington Station. His
devise works with all the windows of
the room shut and with the mattress
and other bed covering in place. 1t is
Of considerable practical value, as it
indicates the possibility OF adapting
various ordinary objects in place Of
the radio coil and of carrying on wire
less communication with great secrecy.
Invited To Annapolis.
Governor Harrington invited the gov
ernors to visit Annapolis. Governor
Stuart, of Virginia, also invited them
TO Richmond. A committee was ap-
nointed to consider both invitations.
The conference, however, was com.
pelIed to decline both invitations,
owing to the scant time allotted for
their annual meeting and the great
amount of work to be done within that
period.
Koochiching is the name of one Of