The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-04-11

were interested.
Suspension of the rules was re-
sorted to time and again and bills
were passed in rapid fire, which
rendered it impossible to keep track
of them. A heated argument ensued
when newspaper men saw a man, not
a Delegate, slip bill into pile un-
der the Clerks desk. Their efforts
to ascertain what the measure was
were resented by the lobby, but it
was found that the bill apparently
was sone which had been, obtained
from the chairman Of a committee
for examination,
Repeated efforts by Speaker Curtis
finally secured measure of order.
The little passage between the news
paper men and the lobby had the
effect of making the latter move back
so the members in their seats could
see what was going on.
The House finally got it's files prac-
tically cleared and at 1155 real time,
although the hands of the clock had
been turned back an hour, recessed
for a half hour; while the Senate
struggled to dig out from a mass Of
bills. During the recess the members
tore up their bills and journal files
and threw them into the air, until the
place resembled Lower Broadway,
New York, on the first armistice day.
So many measures were passed or
killed in the closing struggles that it
will require day or two to ascertain
just what was accomplished. Only
numbers Of bills were read out in the
House in many cases, and few, if any,
| of the members had any idea what
they were voting on.
The Speaker and the President of
the Senate with the chief clerks of
both bodies will remain here several
days getting bills ready for the Gov
ernor. The Executive>has set April
8 for signing bills. In the meantime
he will study the measures passed
and not yet signed by him.
One OF the bills passed by the Senate
under suspension of the rules would
increase salaries Of matrons in Balti-
more police stations from S25 to
$3.50 a week and of charwomen from
$40 week to $3.50 a week. The
superintendent of police matrons
would receive $50 instead Of $27.50 a
week.
General increases in salaries of
clerks in the Office of Supervisors of
Elections in Baltimore were sane
toned in another Of the bills. The
chief clerk would receive $500 in
stead of $4,000 a year: one clerk
would be increased from $4,000 to ST.
700; one would be increased from ST.
ESQ to $4,000 and six other would get
5000 increases.
House Bill No. sos, also passed un-
der suspension of the rules, would
increase from $4,000 to $4,000 the
amount authorized to be expended for
medical examinations in connection
with trials in the Criminal Court of
Baltimore
Bills passed on the regular third
reading calendar included one direct
ing the Commissioner of Motor We
hicles to refuse to issue or transfer
any marker or certificate of registra-
ton for any motor vehicle unless he
is satisfied that all taxes due on the
machine have been paid. The restric-
ton is applicable only to applications
for vehicles owned in Baltimore and
was drawn by city authorities.
Provision would be made for the re-
tirement Of employees in Maryland's
penal institutions under Delegate
Meyers bill, which was passed.
Other bills passed included:
Authority to place the regulation Of
traffic in baltimore in the hands OF
the Police Commissioner, subject to
approval of the Mayor.
Administration measures, intro
duced by Delegate Given, to effect
economy in elections. The group Of
bills would reduce the size and num-
Der of ballots and would eliminate
one registration day.
Authority for liens against automo-
biles stored and placed in garages for
repairs until all charges have been
paid.
Bond issue Of 100000 for Balti
more City for purpose of constructing
a municipal Office building. subject to
a referendum.
Prohibiting the Public Service Com
mission from passing any order fixing
charges as rental service to the con-
sumner for the use Of gas or electric
meter furnished by gas and electric
corporations.