The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-04-08
WAR TIME LEGISLATURE
ENDS BEFORE DEADLINE
Adjourned Early Sunday Morn
ing-All Garrett County
Measures Passed

Maryland's wartime General AS
sembly adjourned sine die early Sun
day morning, with emergency legisla-
ton covering broad phases of the
military and home front completely
| dominating virtually everything that
would have seemed important in peace
/ times.
The major battle of the session was
the administration successful move
to place before the people proposal
to revise the court of appeals, yet it
was bills such as work or-fight" and
a one-third reduction in state income
taxes to compensate partly for high
federal taxes that the home folks
focused their attention upon.
Temper of the legislature, de-
/ scribed by leaders as the most har-
monious and busness-like in their
memory, was significantly portrayed
by the fact that members completed
their tasks in time to permit adjourn
ment two days ahead of schedule.
Ahead of Deadline
1t was the first time any legislator
! could recall at least in recent men,
DRY, that the Assembly found itself in
position to go home in advance of the
ninety day limit set by the constitu-
ton.
Early in the week, Senate Presi-
dent Arthur H. Brice and House
Speaker Thomas c. Conlon agreed
that by hard work, the General AS
sembly could clean up by midnight
Saturday, and they missed it by only
a few hours.
The Senate adjourned at 1913 a. M,
+ and the House followed suit three
minutes later Clocks, however, had
been turned back, and for the record,
the legislature finished work at mid
night.
There was the usual rush Of last
minute local county bills, plus some
statewide measures that required at
tention. and both chambers recessed
off and on at various times through
out the last day in order to give the
other side a chance to keep up with
the schedule.
Quiet At Closing
However, compared to some recent
sessions all was tranquil during the
closing hours.
Some controversial measures were
killed in the last-minute haste to adj
iourn, including a compromise bill
that would have authorized the tide
water fisheries commission to re
open the Potomac river to the taking
of oysters and seafoods.
Legislators from the tidewater
counties expressed disappointment
when House leaders adjourned with
the Potomac river oyster bill firmly
blocked by the Chesapeake Bay and
Tributaries committee after it had re-
ceived Senate approval.
Pass Racing Bill
Among measures adopted just be-
fore adjournment were those permit
ting transfer of horse racing dates
between Maryland tracks for the
wars duration, the complete reform
of the Juvenile delinquency laws, and
a bill permitting appeals to circuit
courts of many counties and Balti-
more city in liquor control violations.
The Senate just before adjourn
| ment voted down a House-approved
bill that would have required three
years residence in Maryland before
persons could qualify for direct relief.
Sponsors said it was aimed at the
, thousands of war workers who had
come into the state, and who might
be stranded here after the war. The
State Welfare Department opposed
, the measure.
War Bills Passed
Permitting certain prisoners from
state institutions to work on farms to
relieve the rural labor shortage; also
allow state departments and agencies
to use prisoners when other labor is
unavailable.
A bonus for all state employees and
: school teachers earning less than
$4,000 yearly, in order to retain their
services in view of highcr-payin war
! jobs.
The administration board defense
council bill, giving a seven-mcmber
board power to set up uniform state
wide air raid warning and blackout
I regulations; authorizing the governor
to cooperate with the president in
war matters; and permitting transfer
Of state resources and militia to fed
eral use if necessary.
A bill placing the state guard and
minute men under military rcgula-
, tons.
j, A bill providing for continuous
! assessment of taxes.