Evening star., 1943-02-01
0'Conor Favors
Appeals Court,
Liquor Bills
Assembly to Begin
Study Of Important
Measures Today
p the Associated Press.

APOLIS, Feb. Gov
O'Conor's Endorsement of the Bond
Commission report proposing re-
organization of the Court of Appeals
And changes in Baltimore City
courts and a three point liquor con-
troll program projected by George
w. Crabbe attracted legislators at
tention today.
Gov. O'Conor said the Bond Com
mission recommendations. if
adopted. would go far to assure the
states having the strongest court in
the future" Part of the legislation
asked is expected to be introduced
this week in the General Assembly.
Mr.. Crabbe, veteran leader of
Maryland dry forces, told the annual
meeting Of the Maryland Anti
Saloon League which he heads:
Il am going to do all I can to see
that the saloons of this State are
closed on Sundays.
Il am going to do all l can to see
that saloons are pushed back from
the vicinity OF schools and churches.
And 1 am going to see that the
buying are cut out"
To Go to Assembly.
Mr.. Crabbe said that he intended
to take his issues before the General
Assembly.
The appearance of Mr.. Crabbe-
tried and true campaigner-on the
legislative scene enlivened the whole
outlook Of the fight getting under
way over recommendations of the
Governors Alcoholic Beverage Sur
vey Commission.
Some legislators from the coun-
ties are expected to put up strong
night when the first part of the
Bond report, which would give the
Court Of Appeals but five judges in
contrast to the present eight, is in
troduced this week.
These members do not like the
nve judge recommendation, for
Baltimore City would be represented
by three judges, thus putting the
counties in the minority on the
States highest court.
The legislature convenes at 8
o'clock tonight following the regular
weekend recess.
Several other matters coming up
this week IN the legislature will get
their share OF discussion.
Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord
commandant of the Sd Service Com
mand; Col. Beverly Ober. superin-
tendent of State police, and Brig.
Gen. Dwight H. Mohr, commandant
OF the State Guard, were expected to
testify before the Senate Finance |
Committee in hearing on the /
much discussed 100000 fund for
bridge guards
The committee will hold hearing
Wednesday on the proposal that
school teachers making less than
$4,000 per year be given bonuses of
5000 each.
Bond Report Indorsed.
Recommendation made by the |
Bond Commission included consoli- |
dation of Baltimore city courts into
q single court; abolition of juvenile
courts, and reduction of the number
of Court Of Appeals judges from
eight to FIVE Two of them would
come from Baltimore city and the
other three would be elected from
the State at large.
Gov. O'Conor, in indorsing the
report, said:
According to press reports, there
has been some objection to one
point raised by judges of the su-
preme bench, who consider that
reduction in the number Of judges
as recommended would be inadvis-
able if the bench is required to
assume the additional work of the
Juvenile Court.
This is an important considera-
ton. but it is detail. in my opin-
ION. I think that this and other
questions which have been raised
can be met without substantial al
teration of the commissions basic
recommendations. The controlling
consideration, I think. is that the
commissions recommendation for
the reorganizat ton of the Court of
Appeals, if adopted, will go far to
assure the States having the
strongest court in the future.
Sees Danger in Future.
80 There is grave danger that,
unless the field is broadened, it
might not be possible for the State
to secure from all the present cir
cults men with the peculiar and
necessary attainments to make the
ideal Judge. 1t would seem
sensible to adopt system whereby
the most outstanding men will be
attracted to our highest court. This
can be done If drastic limitations
are not imposed by requiring that
the present geographic limits be
maintained.
Furthermore, I believe that con-
fining the duties Of the judges of our
highest court to appellate work it
will enable the jurists to concentrate
more upon this most important
phase OF their task
Il might point TO two additional
considerations as worthy of special
note. The first is that the plan will
improve the method Of selection of
judges. The second concerns the
improved handling of the work of
the Juvenile Court. Inasmuch as the
problem of juvenile delinquency is
the most pressing. I feel that the
change recommended will be a far
step toward the betterment Of the
present day situation"