Middletown transcript., 1916-03-11
MARYLAND
LEGISLATURE

| AuudpOIlS-
New life for the Maryland Agricul-
lural College is proposed in bill in
troduced in the House by Mr.. Metze-
rott and approved by the State ad-
ministration, creating bond loan Of
S1,000,000 with which to erect new
buildings and to supply new and addi-
tional equipment at the college.
The proposed improvement of the
college is in line with the movement
for the advancement of the agricul-
tural interests of the State.
In separate bill, also indOrsed by
the State administration, appropria-
tions are made for the Agricultural
College as follows:
Maintenance and increased facilities
for educational work for 1916 and 1917,
$4,000; for 1917 and 1918, $60,OOO.
| For maintenance, printing bulletins
and carrying out work required by acts
for soil fertility and horticultural in
vestigation by Experiment Station,
1916 and 1917, $4,000; 1917 and 1918,
| $685. 900; for maintenance and investi-
cation at Ridgely substation, $4,000.
Maintenance of extension and
demonstration work in agriculture and
home economics, printing and distribu-
ton of publications, boys and girls
club work, movable schools, ETC., for
1916 and 1917, $14,203; 1917-1918. $780,
$50; maintenance of county demonstra-
lion work and to make available appro-
priations by Federal government, 1916
1917, $4,000; for 1917-191S, $4,000.
For executive and Office expenses,
| $4,000 for each of two years.
Maintenance of farm Institutes,
$4,000 for each of two years.
President Patterson, of the Agricul-
tural College, advocated the proposed
improvements in a hearing today be-
fore the Senate and House committees.
Bills were also introduced in the
Senate and House today making appro-
priatiOns to enable the proposed State
Agricultural Board to carry through
the plans mapped out for it. The sums
appropriated for the year 1917 and 1918
follow:
For work heretofore performed by
the Livestock Sanitary Board, $4,000.
The investigation of market condi-
tiOns throughout the State, collection
of agricultural statistics and to con-
duct such works as may seem desir-
able to attract immigration to rural
sections, $4,000
Support of biological laboratory,
manufacture and distribution of hog
cholera serum, 10000
Inspection of canneries for purpose
of improving the quality of their prod
ucts and to promote the canning in
dustry, $4,000.
Inspection of farm seeds, $4,000.
State Horticultural Department, for
encouragement of bee culture, $4,000.
The salaries of officers, clerk, office
rent, etc, of the State Board of Agri-
culture, $4,000,
Home Rule Bill For Counties.
The bill which will make effective
the home rule amendment for the coun-
ties was introduced in the Senate by
Senator Ogden. 1t was drawn by At
torney-General Ritchie. This bill
makes a general grant of special pow
ers to the counties whenever any such
shall, under the provisions of the home |
rule amendment, decide upon govern /
ing itself instead of having the General |
Assembly do everything for it.
1t, in effect, constructs a legal in
closure within which the counties may !
govern themselves as they will and be-
yond which they cannot go. Such Il !
grant of powers is contained in the |
first part of the City Charter of Balti-
more for the city itself, but for the !
counties there is no such definition of i
powers. This is what the bill drawn
by the Attorney General is intended to
supply.
Under its provisions even broader
powers than are given to the city are
granted to such counties as decide to
avail themselves of the home rule
Under the amendment a
county may, upon petition, institute an
election for choosing what is called a
charter commission" This commits
sion drafts a scheme of government
for the county. which is then to be re-
ferred to the voters for their approval
and adoption.
Cuts Down Roads Board.
Senator Cooper, with the consent
and approval of Governor Harrington,
introduced a bill to reduce the State
Roads Commission to three members ,
"a chairman at $2,50O a year and two {
associates at the nominal salary of
$500 a year each. The reduction of
the membership of the State Roads
Commission was recommended by the
Goodnow Economy and Efficiency
Commission. Such action also was
advised by Chairman Weller, of the
present commission. !
Senator Archer also introduced a 6
pill reducing the State Roads Commits +
sion to three members. 1t likewise t
provides that the chairman shall be
paid s2,500 a year. His two colleagues
ire to receive $500 a year each for +
expenses. n
After Trading Stamp Men.
Giving trading stamps will be an ex- L
,ensive luxury for storekeepers if a I
,ill introduced in the House by Dele
rate Hall should become law. The
ill provides that any concern Offering I
II giving such stamps, receipts or y
okens shall pay license fee of Sc, 900, e
nd unless this be paid shall be II
punishable by fine of $500 to 81 900 a