Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-04
SIGN BILL PASSES
BY VOTE OF IS TO 8
Maryland Senate Action Pre-
pareS Measure for Gov
ernor'S Signature.
Nv q STAT corresnondent of The star.

BY STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 4.-The
Senate Of the Maryland General
Assembly. in session here, this after
noon passed the bill regulating and
taxing billboards in the State. The
vote was 10 to g. The measure now
goes back to the House of Delegates
for concurrence in a minor amend
ment. Gov. Albert c. Richie is eX-
pected to sign the bill Immediately.
ny Stan Correspondent Of The Star.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, April Reversing
the sentiment which was displayed by
the House of Delegates and which II
showed in adopting a favorable report
Thursday, the Maryland Senate early
today gave indication that it would op-
pose the passage of the bill to regulate
and tax Signboards in Maryland.
Remaining in session until nearly
o'clock this morning. the upper branch
failed to reach the Signboard BILL which
Is first on its calendar today.
Would Restrict Farmer.
During the protracted debate on a
bill 70 require a minimum of IA pei
cent vegetable matter in commercial fer
tilizer, which took so long, the remain
der of the third reading calendar was
postponed. Senator S. Scott Beck called
attention to the signboard measure as
one which would place further restric-
ton on the farmer by requiring the
issuance of a permit before a billboard
could be erected on his property.
Senator Beck opposed the fertilizer
bill on the same ground Of overreStric-
ton, and was joined in his opposition
by President Walter j. Mitchell and
Senator ]. Allan Coad of St. Marys
County, but the measure carried over
their negative votes.
Indications that the Senators would
attempt to kin the bill and leave Mary
lands roads open to all manner of I'M
slightly and dangerous signs developed
late yesterday when it became apparent
that President Mitchell and some other
influential members of the upper branch
were opposing the measure on the gen.
eral ground Of too much regulation"
In view of this opposition, which
cropped out on the floor during the fer
tiliDer debate and because Of the alb
sence last night of two Senators who
are supporting the measure Senator
Lansdale G. SaSScer, one of its advocates
and Democratic floor leader, moved they
adjourn when the bill was reached on
the calendar this morning.
Backers Are Confident.
In spite Of the last-minute opposi-
ton, hackers of the bill were confident
OF winning, although the margin Of vic
tory would be small, they said
The measure, which places all sign
boards under the jurisdiction of the
State Roads Commission, requires out
door advertising companies to pay an
annual 5000 license fee and a tax of
one-half cent per square foot annually
on each billboard, has the support of the
billboard companies themselves, as well
as many large and influential organi-
cations throughout the State
Metzerott Bill Passed Senate.
The Metzerott bill, making adver-
tisers responsible for illegal placing
roadside signs, advanced a step nearer
final passage during the Senate's after
noon session, when a favorable report
by the Judiciary Committee was unani-
mously adopted
Under this measure the presence of a
sign on the property of person whose
written permission has not been secured
is made prina facia evidence of the
guilt of the. firm whose products or
business is advertised thereon.
The bill was introduced by Delegate
Oliver Metzerott of Prince Georges
County and passed the House without
opposition.