The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-01-27
STATE
CAPITAL
Audit OF Auto Records.

A little skirmfsh in the House, re
sulting in victory for the Admins
tration forces-62 to 42-'was precipi
tated by the introduction by Delegate
Hail Of Baltimore of an order callins
for an audit Of the Motor Vehicle Com
missioner's accounts.
Mr.. Hall and Floor Leader Gambrill
Of the House, headed the opposing
forces Mr.. Roberts, Prince Georges
sided with Hall.
Styled as "trifling memorandum
the report of Automobile Commission
or Baughman was holly attacked by
Mr.. Hall.
Commissioner Baughman last year
spent $154,000 derived from the opera
ton Of the fitting law for which sum
there has been no audit made and for
the expenditure Of which no report
has been made, Mr.. Hall stated.
In his report the Commissioner
merely groups the expenditure of these
funds under general heads, Hall con
tinued, and in the report $4,000 is
charged to salaries and $21, 900 to Office
expenses There remains, Hall said
balance on the books of the Com.
missioner Of $4,000, which, ne states,
he intends to hold for the operation
Of his office and not turn over to the
State Treasurer.
In his attack on the practice Of the
Commissioner of spending the money
taken in by his Office without render
Ing an account, Mr. Hall charged that
1t was being used to keep "cossacks'
In Baltimore, the arraignment being
directed against the State police.
Floor Leader Gambrill came to the
defense Of the Commissioner by NOV
Ing that the order be referred to the
Ways and Means Committee. The
question was holly argued. Mr.. Hall
being supported by Delegate Roberts
Of Prince Georges and Delegates
Kelly and Dimarco Of Baltimore City.
The bonus bill introduced in the
| Senate by Senator Norris is intended
to dispose Of for all time the vexatious
| question OF a soldiers bonus so far, at
least, as Maryland is concerned. The
bill provides for referendum The
question, 1t Is explained, is thus put
squarely up to the people. II the peo-
pie vote Eyes," four companion bills
were introduced as suggestions for
providing revenue. While the bonus
bill itself carries bond issue and pro-
vides for tax levy in order to meet
the requirements Of the law and make
the bonds salable, yet the amount Of
that tax levy will be made up if any
Of the major revenue producing bills
is passed, it is stated.
The pole tax alone, If passed, would
net $1,000,000 year, according to the
estimate. The inheritance tax bill
would net $1,O0O,00O. The gasoline
tax would net $1,00O,00O per year.
There is a provision in the bills
that when the bonds are paid off that
particular tax ceases.
Some important measures are to be
introduced, some in the House, others
In the Senate. Among these measures
are the police bills for Baltimore City,
the gas tax bills, the Public Service
Commission bills, the State police bill
and other departmental legislation.
The more important of the measures,
such as the gas tax bill-or rather
bills, for there are two of them-the
bill which would assess a gross re-
ceipts charge upon the public utilities
for the maintenance of the Public
Service Commission and the city po-
lice bills. have already been discussed
in some detail. The State police bill
defines the power Of that establish
ment and limits the number of the per-
| sonnet to IS.
All women employed in the State,
except domestics, would be brought
under the protection of the Ten-Hour
| Work law for women under the terms
Of bill introduced in the House
amending that law. The measure was
submitted by the State Board of La
Dor and Statistics. The amendment
would make the law applicable to
women working in packing plants,
lunchrooms, telephone offices and other
establishments not now within its
reach. The existing law applies only
to manufacturing, mechanical, mer-
camille, printing, baking or laundering
| establishments"
State banks will be extended all the
powers Of trust companies under bill
prepared by the State Bank Commits
sioner and introduced in the Senate.
The bin is said to have been designed
to put State banks on plane with ma
tional banks, which, under an amend
ment to the Federal Reserve act, pass
ed in 1918, are authorized, upon appli-
cation to the Federal Reserve Board,
to conduct trust and fiduciary bust
ness The power is not extended to
mutual savings banks.