Evening star., 1935-03-20
But Legislature Is Knotted
Over Hopkins Demand.
Nice Asks Sales Tax.
OPEN REVOLT FLARES
AGAINST U. S. "WHIP"
Floor Leader Says Attitude of
Federal Government Is
"High.Handed.'
By the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, March 2O.-Gov. Har-
ry W. Nice called upon the Legislature
to pass the pending sales tax bill to-
day after being informed that Harry
L. Hopkins, Federal relief admins
traitor. had agreed to accept $4,000. 900
as Maryland's contribution to State
relief costs.
Hopkins. according to information
received from Washington. telegraphed
the Governor that the F. E. r. A.
would accept $1,000 ,GOO covering both
direct relief and old-age pensions.
Gov. Nice on Monday night sent Hop
kins copy of his message to the Leg
islature indorsing the per cent sales
tax. 1t is estimated this tax would
bring in S6,50O 900 annually, with $3.-
500 900 going to direct relief. $780,
600 for old-age pensions and $780,
900 for debt service on an outstanding
sl2 900 900 unemployment relief bond
issue.
kins' telegram" Gov Nice said, But
when I do receive it. and even in
advance upon information that it has
been sent. should like publicly TO
express our appreciation for his CO.
operation.
This progras is inclusive of old
age pensions. to my mind almost as
important as actual relief itself.
Urges Favorable Action.
II am hoping that the General As
sembly will accept this tender of CO.
operation on the part Of the Federal
Government without dealy and that
the unemployed and those in need OF
relief will not be deprived of this
necessary assistance moment longer
than necessary.
Il am further hoping the General
Assembly will adopt my recommends
/ ton of a two-year 2.per cent sales
tax, which, in my opinion. is I'M
peratively necessary at this time. and
which apparently meets with the ap-
proval of Washington.
Delegate Kent r. Mullikin. Demo-
crat. of Prince Georges. chairman OF
the House Ways and Means Commit
Tee, which is considering the sales tax
bill. today warned opponents OF the
measure that they must have any sub
stitute plan for financing relief by to-
morrow if it is to be given considera-
ton
In the meantime, opposition to the
sales tax took the form OF petition
being circulated in the House cham
Der calling upon the Ways and Means
Committee to set the tax bill aside
in favor of substitute group OF spe-
clal taxes.
The House of Delegates held FIVE
minute session and recessed until
1870 pm. in order that Speaker
Emanuel Gorfine could appear before
the House Ways and Means Commit
tee to discuss relief measures.
Commenting on the information
that Hopkins had agreed to accept
$1,000 900, Speaker Gorf1ne said he
was gratified that he had receded
from his original demand.
Revolt Flares.
/ Open revolt against the Federal Re
/ lief Administration broke in the Mary
land Senate earlier today as the Dem
ocratic floor leader charged the Fed
/ eral attitude was ''insolent, arrogant
/ and high-handed" and that the Gov
ernment was attempting to whip
1 the Legislature into line with threats"
! The revolt had been brewing for
| days. Todays open charges made on
! the floor of the Senate following
| heated debate over the beer tax,
measure designed to raise S1,200,O00
annually for relief, only brought out
in the open the feeling of many Sem
ators. The measure was passed on
second reading by 16-to-12 vote.
Senator j. Allan Coad, Democrat,
Of st. Marys, Democratic floor leader.
made the charges. Federal Relief
Administrator Harry Hopkins occupies
no position of responsibility so far as
the citizens of Maryland are con-
cerned." he shouted.
We are here to represent the peo-
pie of Maryland. I think it an in
solent. high-banded. arrogant attitude
for any man to say to the State we
mold this threat over your head and
will whip you into line whether 1t is
the wishes of cur people or not"
Referring to Hopkins as man in
a swivel chair in Washington" Coad
said the Federal official lis telling
MARYLAND We must do this or that"
The tax over which the Senate was
debating is levy of 3.25 cents per
gallon on beer. the estimated proceeds
of $1,20O000 a year to go to relief.
SS,O0O,0 600 Revenue Asked.
Federal relief officials had informed
the State that it must raise S8,000,000
for the remainder Of this year and
$7,200,000 annually for the two COM
ing years.
Last Friday was the deadline on
which the State was to have assured
the Government that it would raise
the relief funds, but no taxing pro-
gram has been evolved as yet. The
beer tax, which was amended by the
Senate early today to dedicate the
revenues to relief, was the first relief
taxation measure to reach the floor of
the Legislature.
The Baltimore City Senators op-
posed the measure and Senator
George Hofferbert, Democrat, first
Baltimore, moved that the bill be
made special order for Friday After
two hours of debate, the motion was
lost by 14-14 tie vote.
Another motion, made by Senator
John G. Callan, Democrat. second
Baltimore, to recommit the bill to
committee, also was defeated by a
l4-l4 vote.
Senator Callan introduced amend
ments which would have cut the tax
tn ] cent aallnra and exet,aIat "A