Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1921-12-03
GOVERNORS BUDGET TO
GO BEFORE LEGISLATURE
State Tax Rate Will Not Be Increas-
ed And May Be Lowered, Says
Political Writer.

and will at once take up the actual con.
struction of the measure, which is in
reality the appropriation bill which
will be presented to the General AS.
sembly for its action during the ses.
sions. Under the budget system of ap.
preparations, the Legislature has power
to reduce any items in the list but can
not increase them, and therefore any
sudden efforts at public extravaganza
on the part of the General Assembly,
such as were of frequent occurrences
under the old system, are prevented
and reductions are practically unheard
of so the Governor in reality is in abb
solute control of all appropriation bills,
is to o very great extent thing of the
past.
The indications are that the budget
will keep the expenditures for the next
two years, closely within the revenues
of the State, and that there will be no
increase in the tax rate, but in all prob
ability slight reduction from the rate
of the last two years. The Governor
realizes to the fullest extent, that it
would be desirable under normal con-
ditions, to branch out into many i'm
provements, but he is opposed to doing
anything that will Increase the burden
of taxation, or require the issuance of
more bonds. He is firm in his determina-
tion to insist on the most rigid economy
in all the departments, and will pare
everything down to the closest possible
limit of necessity. Most of the increas-
es asked for. he classes as public lux
uries, and they must be done without
for the present, and until times have
gotten back to normal condition.
There is no doubt of his firm deter
mination in this regard, and all the
dreams of vast expenditures in the
way of new buildings for many of the
state institutions. will prove to be il
lusions. when the bulge ct is given out
to the public. While he is Governor
there will be no more sixty thousand
dollar kitchens built to cook food for
wards of the public charities of the
State they will have to be content with
less expensive culinary establishments
In which to prepare their food, and the
chances are that many of the State of
flcisls who are now riding around, and
airing their families in Stats purchased
limousines and other expensive cars,
will have to side with the common
heard in jtneys and ordinary street
cars.
The contest for the speakership of
the House of Delegates is assuming in
terestlng proportions and bids fair to
be real and strenuous contest. There
ere now three candidates in the field
for the position, Mr.. John L. G. Lee Of
Hartford, Mr.. Clarence Roberts of
Prince Georges, and Mr.. j. Allan
Coad, of st. Mary's. All are capable
and experienced men, and all have
served acceptably in the House in the
former years. Mr.. Lee was membet
in 1894, and has served another ses :
sion since that time. He is a lawyer
of ability and high standing, and il.
well known throughout the State. Mr..
Roberts is also a lawyer of ability
and standing, and has an excellent
record. At the present time the
member from Prince Georges seems
to be in the lead-he is reported to
have the support of most of the
State leaders, including in the number
Senator John Walter Smith, State
1casurer John M. Dennis, Mr.. Frank
A. Furst, Mr.. Samuel X. Dennis, Mr..
Max Ways and Fank Kelley.
The general impression here is that
the Eastern Shore with it's large DEM
ccratic membership, could obtain the
epeakership should united effort be
made by the members from across the
bay, and such an effort may be made
Lefore the matter is settled There
las been some talk about Delegate
Samuel Crockett, from Worcester
county, as a candidate for the honor.
lut no word has come from that gen
tleman on the subject. Mr.. Crockett
is a former member of the House. is
the editor of the Worcester Democrat
one of the best county papers in the
State and has every qualification for
the place, and it has been matter o.
surprise to his friends that he has not
made bid for the the prize.
1t seems to be settled that Senator
William l. Norris, of Baltimore City,
will be reelected President of the
Senate without contest. The honor
seems to be going to Mr.. Norris with
out any effort on his part.
PAUL, WINCHESTER