Evening star., 1941-03-29
Liquor Bill
'Shakedown'
Is Probed
Maryland Assembly
Hears Politicians
Demanded 'Poyoff
Py tic Associated Press.

Ply tLt Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, March 2s-Altlouga
almost face to face with sine die ad-
journment, Maryland's General AS
sembly launched an investigation
into an alleged "shakedown racket"
today as it padded two important
administration measures toward
final enactment.
The Senate Temperance Commit
tee prepared to investigate reports
that some politicians" had demand-
ed a "payoff" for allegedly halting
the progress of bill to limit chain
store organizations to selling liquor
at only one OF their stores. The
measure is still in Temperance Com
mittee files.
Meanwhile, the House Rules Com
mittee studied a resolution request
ing Gov. O'Conor to appoint spe-
cial committee to conduct a similar
investigation.
Delegate j. Tyson Lee, Democrat,
of Frederick, who. with Delegate
jerome Robinson, Democrat, of Bal
timore, sponsored the liquor license
proposal, said:
Il introduced this bill in all good
faith, but lobbyists have taken hold
of it and are trying to make money
out of it."
The Senate group decided to make
the investigation yesterday during
sessions that saw the passage to ths
House of two administration "blue.
ribbon" bills, and a slashing attack
by Senator James j. Lindsay, DEM
ocrat, of Baltimore County on what
he termed the fiat cats" of labor
organizations.
New Resources Board Asked.
One of the blue ribbon" bills
passed by the upper chamber would
create a new Board of Natural Re-
sources to coordinate the conserva-
ton activities of State departments.
The other would impose special
per cent tax on bets placed at half
mile tracks to help pay the cost OF
equaliZing Negro and white teachers
salaries.
The conservation proposal, which
would wrest control of the State
Forestry Department from the Uni
versity of Maryland. passed the Sem
ate early today by 2l-to-6 vote.
DR.. H. C. Byrd, university presi-
dent, and others opposed to the bill
we're beaten in an initial setto early
this week by Gov. O'Conor's forces.
The race-track measure rode
through by a 22-3 margin as the
Senate ran through its third read
ing file of AZ bills, all routed to the
lower chamber for consideration.
The major proposals would license
and regulate sales finance com.
panies, increase membership of the
State Board of Hairdressers from
three to five persons, speed up the
State Road Commissions procedure
for the condemnation of land for
road construction, enable boards OF
election supervisors to establish ad-
ditional polling places and provide
for the filling of vacancies on the
Legislative Council.
Lindsay Launches Attack.
Mr.. Lindsay launched blistering
attack on "labor's fat cats" during
debate on judges pension bill.
On the Senate floor, Mr.. Lindsay
accused Senator Robert B. Kimble,
of Allegheny of "black-
guarding the judiciary" charged
what he called the fat cats" Of
labor organizations with living on
the poor downtrodden laborer."
Mr.. Kinble answered that he was
not impugning the integrity of the
judiciary, but that he did accuse
some judges of self1shness and
greediness.
In his strongly worded speech,
Mr.. Lindsay termed Mr.. Kimble "a
soap box orator. You hear him day
after day blackguarding the judi
ciary."
go There is a sinister move
afoot to break down the Judiciary.
Doesn't the C. I. o. want courts?
Do they want to control not only
the legislative but the judiciary and
executive branches OF government"
Favorable Report Adopted.
After the set-to the Senate adopted
favorable report on the bill to
retire judges reaching 10 after 10
years on the bench with s2,400 an
nually and those who retired before
serving 10 years with $4,000 year.
Earlier, the Senate passed with
only three dissenting votes House,
amended anti-sabotage bill, after
Mr.. Kimble characterized it as a
"damnable. camouhaged, so-called
defense bill to destroy the rights of
man."
The Senate concurred in HOUSE
action striking out an amendment
allowing pickets to enter restricted
zones that might be set up around
defense factories. The entire bill
was described by proponents as pro-
lection against interference for
plants producing defense articles for
this and friendly" nations.
The measure does carry provi-
sion that labor shall have the right
to strike and to picket. 1t now goes
to The Governor.
Two labor representatives imne-
diately sent a letter to Gov OConor
urging him to veto it, and asked
for a public hearing.
The letter was signed by C. w.
Mitzel, State representative of the
of Railroad Trainmen.
and Sidney r. Katz. secretary-treas-
urer of the Maryland and District Of
Columbia Industrial Union Council
&c. I. o.
Conferees Are Named.
A Conference Committee was
named to attempt settlement of a
deadlock over bill permitting legis-
lators to distribute 207 free scholar
ships to the University of Maryland.
As issue were Senate amendments
calling for the university regulated
examinations of candidates and for
hem to show financial need"
The House steamrolled through IS
Of its bills and 10 Senate measures,
after killing proposal to reduce
the small loans interest rate from
81 to 3 per cent. The legislative
sclincher" forbidS further consid-