The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-02-09
BATTLE OVER GAS TAX
DISTRIBUTION FORECAST
Both Administration and COun-
ty Commissioners Plans
Have Strong Support


ministration and anti-adminis-
tration supporters expressed
confidence their respective
plans for distribution of the gas
oline tax revenues would be ac-
copied by the legislature, as the
General Assembly adjourned
today until tomorrow.
E. Brooke Lee, member of
the State Roads Commission and
considered as general sponsor of
the administration bill, was en-
phatic in his optimism of the num-
Der of votes in both the House and
Senate the administration measure
would win.
At the same time, H. Street Bald
win, author and the main sponsor of
the county commissioners plan of
gasoline tax distribution asserted he
was convinced that the new admins
tration plan, introduced in the House
and Senate today, would not find
enough support to carry it into en-
actment.
Speculation over which plan would
find eventual approval was the main
issue discussed by the members of
the legislature today.
Baldwin pointed out the new ad-
ministration measure would not
grant to the counties absolute expen-
diture of the road fund, but that it
would be left under the supervision
of the State Roads Commission.
He asserted the administration
measure should not receive as much
support as the county commissioners
measure, since the latter proposal
would, he said, give to the counties
the largest amount of money to be
spent by the county commissioners of
the various counties, without any re-
strictions by the State Roads Com
mission.
1t was pointed out by some county
members that the provision in the
new administration bill giving incor-
porated towns their proportionate
share of the amount allotted the var
ious counties would probably win a
few county votes.
However, it was suggested by Mr..
Baldwin at the meeting of county
members he called last night, that he
is willing to amend his bill so as to
permit the incorporated towns to get
whatever share of the funds appor-
toned to the counties have received
in the past.
Only routine business was trans
acted in the House and Senate at
their meetings today, the introduc-
ton of the administration bill for dis
tribution of the gasoline tax becom-
ing the center of interest.
The new administration distribu-
ton plan was introduced in both
Houses, in the Senate by Senator L.
G. Sasscer Dem, Prince George's),
and in the House by twelve delegates
jointly.
In the Senate it was sent to the
Finance Committee and in the House
to the Ways and Means Committee.
Following the sessions Of the Sen
ate and House today committees were
called into session to discuss meas
ures before them.
The House Judiciary Committee
heard representatives of number OF
women's organizations enter their
pleas for the enactment Of the bill
which would permit women to serve
on juries in Maryland.
The House Committee on Ways
and Means questioned DR.. Raymond
A. Pearson, president of the Univer-
sity of Maryland, as to the recon-
mendations carried in the budget for
appropriations for that institution
for the coming biennium.
Local Bill Introduced
In the House the Garrett County
delegation introduced measure pre-
scribing the amount Of money to be
paid by the County Treasurer to auc-
TONERS for crying tax sales.
The Committee on Ways and
Means yesterday tentatively deter
mined to drop from the budget APP
preparations for county fairs, for GER
tain fire departments and to reduce
sums asked for some of the institu-
lions.
DR.. Cook, of the State Board OF
Education, indicated to the commit
tee that one of the three white nor
NAL schools could be closed without
serious impairment of the education
program.
Bills to cut pay Of judges of the
State and to license professional
men appeared in the Senate Tuesday