Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-05
.SPEAKERSH|P GOES
TO f. BROOKE LEE
Maryland Assembly Hears
Governors Message This
Afternoon.
Special Dispatch to The Star

Maryland opened at noon today. with
Gov. Ritchie's annual address seized
uled for pm, following which the
session would adjourn until next
Tuesday.
All officers chosen az caucusses
last night We're elected. The Demo
Gratis nominated Il. Brooke Lee
of Montgomery County for speaker of
the House, while Republicans nomi-
mated j. Milton Patterson Of Cumber
land. For president of the Senate
David G.. Mcintosh of Baltimore
County was the Democratic choice
and Alexander Il. Hagner of Wash
ington County was the choice of Re
publicans. Albert j. Almoney OF
Montgomery was slated for chief
clerk OF the House and II. Lee Hall
of Prince Georges for Senate journal
clerk. The committee on judicial pro
ceedings will be headed by Senator
Lansdale Sasscer OF Prince Georges
County. Craftsmanship OF the Hous'
ways and means committee was il
doubt. Many other officers and an
pointments were slated at the eau
cuses.
Democrats Hold Sway
With a Senate majority of IL AMI
lead of 46 in the House, the Demo
Gratis have control and are expected 20
put through their legislation without
serious opposition Following the call
to order at noon today, Emerson X
Corruthers, secretary of the Senate,
swore Orlando Harrison of Worcester
County, oldest Senator. who took the
gavel and proceeded with the election.
In the Senate the elections were By
roll call. In the House the voting
was by ballot. About ! O'Clock the
sessions adjourned TO await the gov
ernors annual message. Appoint
ment of committees and other details
of organization will be completed M
the first sessions to be held next
Tuesday, after which the Assembly
will get down to the business OF
legislating.
In his annual message the governor
recommended adjustment of dan
gerous grade crossings including thai
at HyNttsville; conservation of marine
life and sea food, with the purpose OF
re-establlshing an industry from
which thousands of persons derive
livelihood.
Gasoline Tax Increase.
Provision for relieving counties %
the cost of building lateral roads and
motorists for this work: elimination OF
grade crossings with money from an
additional 1-cent gasoline tax, bring
ing the total gasoline tax in the State
to Az cents, were recommended by
the governor. He asked enactment of
legislation permitting municipalities TO
pass adequate coming laws, franchises
and charters for the erection of a
bridge across Chesapeake Bay. pro-
posals for repeal of many of the blue
laws and enactment of more liberal
Sunday laws. The governor favored
amendment to the public service com
mission law which would give the
commission more power or clearly de
fine its present powers. Proposals
for numerical and salary increases in
the Baltimore police were included.
and there are a number of other mat
tiers covered in the message. including
enabling acts permitting Baltimore
City and the counties to issue bonds;
consideration of the proposed TWEEN
tieth amendment to the Federal Con
stitution (the child labor amendment);
resolutions urging modification of the
Volstead act or bill providing for
passage of a concurrent enforcement
act to the eighteenth amendment.
Crossings Given Study.
1.-THE Democratic platform prom
ised a comprehensive plan which will
enable the State, in conjunction with
the railroads, to eliminate all dan
gerous grade crossings on State high
ways within a reasonable time" said
the message. 1.-THE State Roads Com
mission. through its chairman, has
been making q thorough study of
railroad grade crossings in this State.
The commission has prepared a plan
for elimination of such crossings
within a period Of 10 years at a total
cost of $40, 900 900, one-half to be
borne by the railroads and the other
half by the State, and 81 900 900 to be
expended each year.
THE States half of this sum,
amounting to $1,000,000 a year, can
be raised either through the general
tax levy or through q further in
crease in the gasoline tax. In the
former case 1t would be paid by all
direct taxpayers. In the latter case
it would be paid by the motorists.
The former method would necessitate
a 100000 bond issue by each LegIs.
lature for five years. with the result
ing interest and redemption charges.
The latter method would necessitate
q further increase in the gasoline tax.
the removal of these grade crossings
will be the railroads and the mo
florists. The general public will bene-
fit to q relatively small extent For.
this reason 1t seems to be fair that
the States portion should be paid by
the motorists through the gasoline
tax.
1.-The additional tax on the motorist
would not be large. 1t would only
mean that the owner Of every Mary
land car would spend about 81 each
year for 10 years, or $40 in all. as his
contribution to end the grade-cross-
Ing menace.
Bill to Be Submitted.
"% On the whole, ii seems 10 me
that an additional 1-cent increase inthe
gasoline tax is both the most eco
and the best method Of pay
ing the States share of the grade
elimination program. Such
increase would bear very lightly. al
most imperceptibly, upon the class
most benefited. Accordingly, a bill
providing this method of paying one
half the cost and requiring the rail
roads to contribute the other half will
be submitted to the Legislature for
its consideration.
This will serve to bring the dis
cussion to a head and will. I am con
fldent, develop the plan and method
for elimination of grade crossings
which is the fairest and best
The general impression is that the
present Legislature will provide funds
for the elimination of the Hyattsville
grade crossing and also. it is hoped
for the extension of Rhode Island ave
nue. from the District line to Hyatts