The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-04-11
MUST" LEGISLATION PROGRAM
INAUGURATED BY GOVERNOR,
MEETS WITH REMARKABLE
SUCCESS

6UOOE0S
The 1871 Legislature, spurred on
to new records of work and accom-
plishments by the urging of Cover
nor Herbert r. O'Conor, said good
bye to Annapolis, leaving behind a
mass of Administration-spon
measures that affect vitality every
major department and agency of
the State.
With remarkably few exceptions
four in all--the Administration Pro-
gram was carried through to a
successful conclusion, no less than
fifty-eight measures having been
passed with Administration approx
al and support.
AS result of recommendation
by Governor O'Conor, provision was
made for the lowest Real Estate Tax
in twenty years; for important re-
auctions in income taxes that will
save the taxpayers of the State
$4,000, 100000 in the coming two
years; and the smallest bond issue
bill for construction in more than a
decade.
A controversial issue of many
years standing was settled with
general satisfaction by the passage
of Senate Bill $40, providing for
unified control of the natural re-
sources of the State, and assigning
to this new agency the Departments
of Forestry and Geology, and the
Chesapeake Bay Marine Laboratory
at Solomons, all of which have been
under the University of Maryland.
Ferry Purchase Okayed
Authorization for the purchase of
the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry head
ed long list Of constructive roads
Legislation, which list included also
measures for speeding right-of-way
purchases, and giving the State
Roads much greater control over
the areas surrounding the main
highways to be built.
Along with the roads legislation,
bills of the greatest importance were
put through establishing by law
Governor O'Conor's Maryland Traf-
fic Safety Commission, and provid-
ing for the Commission a control
statistical bureau that will be the
basis of all accident studies in this
State, and model to the other
sites of the country.
Parents, as wei as Civic and Social
organizations throughout the State
were made happy by the passage of
the Anti-Fireworks Bill, which, de-
feated two years ago by the margin
of one vote, now provides that after
October /, 1941, no fireworks may
be bought by, or sold to individuals,
requiring that such displays can be
staged only under expert super
vision.
State Employees Benefit
The many employees of the State
Departments hailed the establish
ment of State Employees Retire
ment System based on an actuarial
basis, to replace the various retire
ment systems in effect hitherto. I'M
portant, too, to wage earners was
the bill legalizing the separation of
the State Accident Fund from the
State Industrial Accident Commits
sion, and providing board of five
to administer the fund Equalization
of colored and white school teach
ers' salaries, and amendments to the
Workmen's Compensation law were
among additional acts passed of in
terest to labor.
In furtherance of National De-
Tense activities within the State,
Legislation was enacted establishing
a State Defense Council, as we'll as
bills to prevent sabotage and for the
control of explosives, both of which
bore the sanction of Federal author
tiles.
Among number of measures
passed at the instance of the State
Insurance Commissioner, to safe
guard holders of policies within the
State, was one regulating the regis
tration of insurance advisors, and
another one looking to the control of
hazards from fire and explosions.
Legislative Council Aided
Not the least of the factors that
helped to bring about the satisfac-
tory condition at the close of the
Legislature was the work of the !
legislative Council, which, sponsor
ed two years ago by Governor O'Con-
or and enacted into law by his sig
nature, fully justified the lavish
predictions that had been made as
to its possibilities.