The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-11-24

feel that the present depression re-
quires this additional charge on the
State gas tax. The effort here today
is to decrease the amount of money
that will be raised by direct levy on
the tax bills in each of the counties
of Maryland. We are all for that"
After complimenting Mr.. Lee on
his apparent knowledge of the affairs
of the State Roads Commission, NJ
Balch launched into terse reply ~
what he called "a sophisticated argu-
ment." He said the Federal govern
ment spent four billions year in
such a way as to cause the people
to rise up in protest. "Yet, any
bureau-head will tell you and prove
to you by argument, like my dis
tinguished friend from Montgomery
county, that such expenditures are
necessary. There is nothing in our
dispute as to the integrity and high
ideals of the gentleman who has just
addressed you, but the time has come
when the people of the State must
have relief and net resort to juggling
figures. The operation was successful
but the patient died will not do for
an answer. When you go back to
your people you want to be able to
tell them whether or not we effected
reduction"
Mr.. Lee again took the floor and
reiterated his position as citizen
with reference to the schools, say
ing it was not part of the govern
mental problem and that he adhered
to a luxury tax rather than curtail-
ment of the school system. mo one
here seems to favor reducing eXpendi-
lures for roads," he said.
Several attorneys, representing the
various county boards Joined in the
debate and when at 2 o'clock, an eff
fort was made to adjourn for lunch,
which had been scheduled for 1880,
one of the Garrett county commits
sioners, saying that the resolution
was more important than lunch,
blocked an attempt which was made
to temporarily withdraw the resolu-
ton and the debate continued.
Mr.. Lee said "Some of the larger
counties, which have large bases,
more registration of vehicles and
more mileage, have never favored the
Eastern Shore program and they
don't want to scrap the State roads
system" To which Mr.. McSherry re-
torted that "it occurs to me that the
problem is one for the counties to
solve. Under the present conditions,
the county commissioners are told by
the State Board of Education what
they shall do. Now it's proposed that
the State Roads Commission shsf
tell the counties what they shall do
If the county commissioners propose
to maintain their system, then they
certainly cannot agree to Mr.. Lees
proposal to turn over the expendi-
lures of funds in their counties.
at goes without saying that
the County Commissioners in
their counties know their problems
better than the State Roads Commits
sion. We approve of public educa-
ton, but disapprove most heartily
of any waste of money and favor a
fair share of the taxes levied for
gasoline"
At this stage of the proceedings
Senator Melvin urged the commits
sioners defer action on the resolutions
until some future day and suggested
that a committee, consisting of one
commissioner from each county be
appointed to draft resolution to be
presented at another meeting.
Major Lee also urged that action be
deferred and stated that no member
of the State Roads Commission had
been invited to attend the meeting,
and that he just happened to walk
in. He called attention to the fact
that the Legislature does not meet
until the first week in January and 81
can't understand why you come here
six weeks before the meeting of the
| Legislature and bang off this way on
the first public occasion that these
matters are discussed. 1 think this
is very important question and you
are jumping too quick"
The call for the question was per-
sistent and the vote taken shortly
before three o'clock. Cecil and Prince
Georges counties passed without ex-
PLANTATION. Commissioner Frank S.
Given, of Baltimore county, which
passed, stated that his board wanted
more time to discuss the matter.
Allegany passed because that county
has road board which builds the
roads and the county commissioners
have nothing to do with local road
construction. All of the remaining
counties voted for the resolution, ex-