Evening star., 1920-03-10
LAWMAKERSFACE
BITTER DEBATE
voIstead Enforcement Act
and Soldiers Bonus Among
Issues at Annapolis.

ANNAPOLIS. March 10 (SpeciaD.-
The period of less than a month
which remains before the ending of
the present session of the Maryland
legislature promises to afford much
more than its normal quota of excit-
ing Incidents. Never since the civil
war and the settlement of questions
growing out of it has the legislature
of Maryland been torn to pieces
on questions which always result in
a display of the bitterest feelings.
These matters which remain to be
settled are under the general heads
of: Relating to the eighteenth
amendment: regulation of horse
racing and race-track betting: ef-
forts to soften the Sabbath laws: in
creased Legislative representation for
baltimore city. and soldiers bonus
The first three subjects. generally
termed moral questions" are al
ways the subject of the hitterest
may be expected in the closing days
ofthe legislat tive session.
would Modify VoIstcad Act.
The fight to draw the teeth from
the Nolstead act. SO far as it can be
accomplished by state legislature.
has taken two forms. The attempt
will he made to legaliZe the sale of
draw the assent of the Maryland
legislature to ratification of the
eighteenth amendment. The first
proposition has rather better than
an even chance for passage. while the
second will probably be defeated. Its
chances are good in the house of
delegates. but those who have gone
over the situation carefully do not
believe that it will be successful in
the senate.
Mayor Broening of Baltimore and
Howard Bryant, president of the Sec
l ,nh of l,n oil Of hA
same city, made the principal argu-
ments in favor Of a state Legislative
definition of intoxicating beverages.
the hearing being held during the
week at Annapolis. They argued that
each state. under it's reserve of police
powers. had a right to define intoxi-
cants in their own state and to say
to what extent intoXicants could be
used for beverage purposes. They
counseled. however, that implicit
obedience be given to the federal law
until any action taken by the state
had met the tests of the courts. 1t is
likely that a number of Legislators,
who would not put themselves in the
position of flying in the face of federal
legislation, will not hesitate to adopt
the views of MeSsrs. Broening and
Bryant.
Janney Bill Unpopular.
The bill which was drawn by Stuart
s. Janney and introduced in the house
of delegates by Mr.. Burke of Baltl l.
more county, and which provides a
state racing commission with a lin
itation of the number of days for
racing in the state, with a large reVe-
nue. to state and counties, seems 10
be catching it on both ends. Friends
of racing and race track betting do
not want the sport and it's connections
to be treated too harshly, while op-
ponents of race track gambling be
lieve that the establishment of the
system would fasten the practice on
! the state indefinitely.
Indications point to the passage OF
| the bill establishing racing at the
Bowie and Upper Marlboro tracks. and
| the defeat of any measure designed to
regulate racing and betting. This
| means that a determined fight will be
! C.; rried on for the next two years to
| secure a legislature that will vote out
the betting features. Newspapers
friendly to racing and limited betting
are pointing out that the failure of strict
regulation probably means an end Of all
| racing within a short time, but it is
not likely that the present legislature
will heed.
Despite the fact that a strong fight is
being made to have Maryland recognize
the services of it's soldiers and sailors
in some substantial way, it is likely
nothing will be done, the expense of the
proposal and the financial condition OF
the state, as well as the duty OF the fed
eral government in the matter, being
used as the reasons for opposing it. 1t
is very evident mat many Of the men,
bers are averSe to the proposition and
are looking for some way to oppose it
, without giving too much offense to the
service men