Evening star., 1941-03-31
Prince Georges
Liquor Bill Fate
Sf||Undecided
Score of Others for
Nearby Counties Wait
O'Conor's Signature
BY BEN III. PEARSE,
Star Staff Correspondent.

ANNAPOLIS, March 31.-Despite
several conferences over the week
end by the Prince Georges delega-
ton, the controversial bill permit
ting sale of liquor on Sunday in
hotels and restaurants in the county
remained "in delegation" as the
Legislature began its final days
session.
The bill was withdrawn from the
House third reading file Friday for
further consideration after several
protests had been received. The
measure has been discussed at al
most every legislative recess during
the last few days without any final
decision.
Meanwhile, more than score of
Montgomery and Prince Georges
County bills which passed the
House and Senate Saturday night
were ready for the Governors sig
nature.
Included in the list was the emer-
kency measure changing Montgom-
cry County's taxable year to coincide
with the fiscal year, which will give
the county commissioners until
June 80 to approve the budget and
set the next years tax levy.
Signed Late Saturday.
Gov. O'Conor signed the measure
late Saturday. the delegates were
advised today. Under present law
today is the deadline for adopting
the budget and setting the levy. The
county commissioners were prepared
TO call an emergency meeting for
that purpose had the. Governors
signature not placed the new law
into effect Immediately.
The bond issue bill for voting ma
chimes In Montgomery County, cost
Ing not more than $120,000, and an
$1,000 bond issue for county wide
improvements in Prince Georges
County also were among bills wait
ing the Governors signature.
The bill requiring public hearings
on the Montgomery County budget;
recommended by the Brookings In
stitution report, was another passed
by both House and Senate. 1t is
expected to be signed in time to
apply to the budget this year.
: Engineer Bill Offered.
Meanwhile, under suspension Of
the rules, the Prince Georges County
delegation introduced a bill author
izing the county commissioners IN
their discretion to appoint county
engineer. His jurisdiction would
cover roads and buildings IN the
county. Appointment of such an
Official was urged by several groups
In connection with the program OF
county improvements to be financed
by the $500, 900 bond issue.
Two Statewide measures intro
duced by Delegate z. Brooke Lee OF
Montgomery County dealt with coal
mines in the western part of the
State. One requires weighing OF
coal mined in Maryland and the
other makes some slight changes in
qualifications for the head of the
Bureau of Mines, making it possible
for a practical miner otherwise
qualified to become head of the
bureau Concerning the weighing
measure, Mr.. Lee explained most
mines provide for weighing their
coal, but in a few where the practice
Is not followed miners are not able
10 determine the exact amount of
wages due them.
Before O'Conor.
Bills which went to Gov. OConor
over the week end included several
from Prince Georges County to pro-
vide for deputy clerk in the Hyatts-
vile County Building; eliminated the
staggered terms Of Mount Rainier
town officials; give a $1,000 allot-
rnent to the Branchville Rescue
Squad, and provide for permanent
assessment system to replace the
present system of assessing every
live years.
The Montgomery bills require fl
ing of notice of a damage claim
against the county within so days
after an accident; increase the
salaries of Orphans Court judges;
authorize the county commissioners
to appoint additional building in
spectors and extend the washington
suburban sanitary district to in
elude an area between the Georgia
Avenue and Veirs Mill roads.