The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-01
DEMOCRATIC
/ LEAD LARGE IN
MD.ASSEMbLY
Party Has 70 Members IN
House of Delegates and
~ in Senate.

ssSS~S ~ ~Ss~A@s~~ ~''~
n in Senate.
ANNAPOLIS. Dec. 31.-With an
overwhelming majority in both
branches of the Maryland legisla-
ture and a chief executive Of their
political faith. the Democratic party
in this State faces session which
may be decisive Of party control
of State affairs for many years to
come. The session of the legisla-
ture will convene on the evening
,of Monday. January 4.
There are 70 Democrats in the
house Of delegates, the total mem
bership of which Is 106. In the
senate the proportionate Democratic
vote is even greater-21 to 6. I'm
der these conditions the RESPONSE
bility Of that party is unquestioned.
Troublesome Issues.
The legislature has to deal, in the
first place. with those always trouble
some moral observation-disclosures of
the Eighteenth amendment. regulation
or inhibition of race track gambling
thC oduDdth lawn.
has been made by the practical men
Of both sides to sidetrack these CUES
tons, but there Is no doubt that they
will occupy a leading place In the
attention of the legislators this session
and will be the occasion of acrimonious
debate.
The presence in the house Of Stephen
Gambrill. of Howard county, and win.
lam Purnell Hall. both keen and able
fighters. insures the most aggressive
sort of fight along these lines. Both
favor the passage OF State laws for
the joint enforcement Of the Eighteenth
amendment and the complete inhibi-
ton of race track gambling.
The fight on these questions Will be
Of intense bitterness. Both men feel
that they have just ground for COM
plant against the old Democratic lead
ers, who opposed them In the pri.
maries and, according to the beliefs OF
these members, tried to defeat them in
the general election.
Mr.. Hall is particularly bitter to-
wards the Baltimore city leaders, ana
points out that he was cut heavily In
the precincts where their influence
was stronger. and saved from defeat
by his big vote in the sections where
the church or moral vote Is strong
est. Under these conditions. he makes
no hesitation OF saying where his
loyalty belongs and In what direction
his efforts will be trained.
Some Last Ditchers."
While there are a few 'last-ditch.
ers" in the Legislature, most OF them
from Baltimore city, there Is some
indication that there will be land
side to some form of prohibition en-
Installation though the aCt
passed may be without particular.
sharp teeth. 1t is generally believed
that Maryland can not put herseif In
the position OF opposing the supreme
Jaw Of the land.
Many believe that Governor Richie
will take the lead in this movement.
realizing that II Is inevitable. A pro-
nounced wet" he has been silent on
the subject OF coordinate Legislation
10y the State, and IL would not be sur
orising IL he advises the legislators
20 pass something along this line. III
he takes this stand he will do SO on
re grounds that the Supreme Court
has now upheld the amendment, and
The Volstead act. and made II incum-
bent upon the States to aid In en-
.orcement. There would be no incon-
sistency between this position and the
,trong stand he took against such
legislation prior to the action OF the
Supreme Court.
On the matter of putting an end to
I'll betting and other forms OF gam
fling at and in connection with the
!ace tracks, II is claimed that SUCH
legislation will pass the House over.
whelmingly, but that the position OF
he Senate. with many moreover mem,
ters, is in doubt. The big fight will
he here and the proponents Of the
tracks on the present basis will make
their last stand here.
Bitter Race Track Fight.
The enemies Of race track gambling
point to the demoralizing effect of
the system in Maryland and will be
prepared to make out case with
greater force and particularly than
ever before. They claim that Mary
land is the dumping ground OF the
undesirable race track and gambling
following Of the whole East, and
that Maryland is furthering and
maintaining the greatest gambling
establishment, not excepting the
Louisiana lottery. which has ever
existed in the United States.
II il not likely that either the
ylan FOR the reorganization Of the
State government upon an economi-
cal UtSlS VI ttit VI aNSio
tive representation for Baltimore
city will be the occasion Of a parti-
san contest. Carrying the State by
substantial majority after a cam.
paign In which such reorganization
was the chief issue, the Democrats
can expect general support for their
proposals. even from their political
opponents. In fact, the Republicans
did not oppose the plan as n whole,
hut criticised the Democrats for not
having accomplished reforms along
these lines at an earlier date. Un-
der such conditions. they can hardly
oppose them now.
The Democrats also won on their
plan to increase the representation
from Baltimore city In the legislature.
The Republicans proposed somewhat
larger increase and lost on IL. even IN
baltimore city. The Democrats used
the argument that their plan was
more practical and the more likely TO
be adopted. Baltimore city members
will probably make perfunctory
fight for an increase on a more gen