Evening star., 1939-02-04
; Big Problems
Face Maryland
Legislature
Reorganization, Toxes
And Budget Are
Chief Issues

And Budget Are
Chief Issues
BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Feb. 4.-Mary-
lands 1899 Legislature, month old
and making a strong bid to become
the Understanding in Free State
history, had its work cut out today
along three major lines.
In recess until Monday night,
when it will start its five-day week
deliberations, the Assemblymen had
these major objectives given them
by Gov. O'Conor:
Passage of his government reor-
ganization program.
Passage of his sos 100000 biennial
budget.
Passage of his $8,53O,OOo budget
balancing revenue measures.
Under the methods employed by
the Governor in submitting his
legislation, all three objectives be-
came interlocked, with the result
that serious alterations in any one
might upset the other two.
If and when the reorganization
bills 60 through, the budget must
be revamped to fit the needs of
the new and consolidated depart
ments. Unless the revenue meas
ures, or new ones of equal money
raising strength, are enacted, the
O'Conor budget will be sorely out of
balance.
Tax Problem Most Difficult.
OF the three tasks, the problem
OF revenue-raising appeared by far
the most difficult, on the basis of
controversy which has developed
over the tax program recommended
by the Governor.
Prior to adjournment for the
weekend recess. the concensus
among the Assemblymen seemed to
be that the O'Conor-sponsored clas-
slfied income tax, aimed at raising
S5,6OO,OOO annually. would go
through. Where trouble would come.
legislators held, would be in WIN
ming approval for the bolstering
levies including many so-called
nuisance" taxes.
Heaviest criticism SO far has been
aimed at the Governors plan to re-
register all motor vehicle operators
in the State, at 50 each, to raise
s500,000 a year in 1910 and l941.
Gov. O'Conor, unworried and un-
ruffled by rumblings of revolt in the
Statehouse, yesterday expressed con-
noence his programs would be ap-
proved without serious hitch. He
has insisted, further, that he does
not intend to crack the whip" over
mutineers.
Budget Comes Up Next Week.
All but one of his reorganization
bllls have gone into the hoppers.
His budget is slated for first con-
slderation by the Senate Finance
and House Ways and Means Com
mittees next week. and his tax pro-
gram is expected to come up soon
after the session reconvenes.
Complicating committee delibera-
tlons on administration bills was
the faculty of independent Senators
and Delegates for popping up with
reorganization measures of their
own, modelled along the lines of the
O'Conor proposals, but differing in
vital and controversial essentials.
Notable in this field we're the sew
eral plans for changing the setup
OF the Conservation Commission
Nearly every legislator has fault to
find with every conservation bill in
troduced thus far. Ideas vary widely.
too. on a parole system and changes
IN the State Roads Commission.
Sales Tax Fight Looms.
AS to taxes, there appeared strong
likelihood the old bugaboo of Mary
land Legislatures sales tax plan
would make its appearance in the
near future. Delegations from West
ern Maryland are drawing the bill.
Not identified with the admins
| tratlon in any way but certain to
provoke battles were two other
measures sponsored by labor groups
"a State wage-hour act and State
labor relations board.
indicative of the Assembly's hope
OF eliminating controversy on the
floor as much as possible was the
action of the Senate Finance Com
mittee, which announced it would
hold hearings three days a week
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurs
days-for opponents and proponents
of pending legislation.