Evening star., 1941-03-19
Fireworks Bill
Passes Test at
Annapolis
But School Tax
Boomerongs on
O'Conor's Budget

O'Conor's Budget
By the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, March 19.-The
State ADMINISTRATOR carefully laid
plans to avert a last-minute jam and
push through its "blue-ribbon" leg
islation on schedule had been side
tracked today.
Although emerging the victor in a
tussle over fireworks measures, ad-
ministration forces suffered a serious
blow in a mishap to one of its bills
to equalize colored and white teach
ers' salaries.
This measure boomeranged in the
Senate last night, delaying move
ment of Gov. O'Conor's $l07, ,443 900
budget-which in turn is holding up
action on other key measures.
Impending battles over the Court
of Appeals reorganization bill and
legislation to open the Potomac
River to oyster hand-scrapers furth-
er added to the administrations
woe and, under existing circum-
stances. made last minute legisla-
tive jam seem inevitable
Postponement Forced.
Administrationists had looked for
ward to passage Of the appropria-
tions bill this week. But hopes were
abandoned when a bloc Of Western
Maryland Senators revolted over the
administration proposal to help
equalize colored and white teachers
salaries by 3 per cent tax rate in
crease in 19 counties.
They forced postponement of ac-
ton on the equalization bill until
Friday.
Not only did they tear into the
measure but they served notice on
the administration that If they were
unable to find other means Of
raising funds for the equalization
they intended to slice the budget
to do it.
The administrations prohibitory
fireworks bill was on third reading
today, having been advanced last
night at lengthy Senate session
which saw the death of q regula-
tory fireworks measure and of a
judges retirement pension bill.
The regulatory legislation was
pigeon-holed when Senators voted
l6 to IL against placing it on
second reading.
Safe Fireworks Rejected.
A favorable report then was
adopted on the administration s
fireworks proposal. An amendment
to permit the State insurance COM
missioner to issue licenses for the
sale Of safe" fireworks was re-
jected by q 2S to l vote. I
The move to increase the retired
judges pay from $2,400 year to
5000 was nipped when the bill
was made a special order Of busi-
ness for April 2, two days after the
Legislature is to adjourn sine die.
The tide of bills finally reversed
yesterday as the Assembly neared
the last leg of its 1s4l legislative
voyage"
Both chambers together passed 113
bills. with 81 new ones pouring into
legislative hoppers. Up to now new
bills have outnumbered those passed.
Heading the list Of Senate-ap-
proved bills was the House measure
setting up q separate Office for the
administrator Of loan laws, taking it
from the bank commissioners super
vision.
Favor Sit-Down Strike Ban.
The Senate also adopted a favor
able report on legislation to prohibit
employees from staging sit-down
strikes on employers property.
Most Of the bills passed by the
House were local" but one of the
Senate measures it approved would
give State employees in military serv-
ice leaves of absence without loss OF
rating.
Gov. O'Conor informed the Senate
Finance Committee he wanted to
make a second cut-this time of
$555, ,O00-in a bill that originally
called for a bond issue of $4,172 900.
The second cut, reducing the bond
issue to $2,117,000. would be made
by deleting items for a wing to the
commissioner of motor vehicles Of
flee, a new building and laboratory
for the State health department
and a new warehouse for the de-
partment OF budget and procure
ment.
Earlier the Governor had decided
to drop the $500 900 program for
two State hospitals for the chron-
ically Ill and inflrm.
Reduce Titling Tax.
New legislation introduced would:
Reduce the titling tax on new
motor vehicles from 2 to per cent.
Lower the recordation tax on doc
uments. Fees charged by court
clerks would be reduced from so to
Is cents and the tax on recording
documents conveying title to prop
erty and on instruments securing
debts would be cut from 10 cents to
cents.
Exempt persons in military service
from paying property or income
taxes until at least six months after
their service terminates.
Prohibit alcoholic beverage sales
within q radius of miles of Army
Navy or Marine training camps.
Provide that workmen and me-
chanics employed by contractors and
subcontractors on State roads. be
paid prevailing wage rates in the
community where the work Is being
done.
Repeal the professional engineers
| and land surveyors law.
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