Evening star., 1943-03-11
Maryland Crab
Bill Passed by
Delegates
O'Conor Supporters
Accused Of Using
Steam Roller
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 1.-THE
crab conservation bill, retrieved
from defeat by Gov O'Conors
legislative lieutenants amid charges
that the administration had adopted
steam roller tactics, went over to
the Senate today for consideration.
Along with 1t went the much-de-
bated measure to give women the
right to serve on juries. Both pro-
posals were passed by the House of
Delegates yesterday by votes of SO
to 30.
The crab bill, which would give
the Tidewater Fisheries Commission
broad powers to regulate Grabbing
and permit it to make reciprocal
agreements with Virginia, was
passed after administration forces
gathered sufficient strength to OBJ
tam reconsideration of a previous
vote, and passage.
Failed in First Test.
In the first test. on Tuesday the
administration fell one vote short
of the So ballots constitutionally
required for passage.
Many delegates from the tide
water counties bitterly opposed
the grabbing bill, and Delegate
Joseph W. A. Evans of Queen Annes
fea food packer, declared during
debate that Gov. O'Conor sum-
moned legislators to his office to ask
them to change their votes after the
bill failed Monday.
I was panied to learn that the
Governor, whom I supported and
worked for in the last election, has
done this great injustice to our
people" Mr.. Evans said.
L resent the steamroller tactics
OF the administration forces to lam
this legislation down our. throats."
Delegate G. Nichols Evans of Som
erset said that about 80 per cent Of
Maryland's crabs were taken in
waters of his county.
L want my people to know I went
down fighting for their interests"
ne said, claiming the commission
could wipe out the livelihood of
ing any area closed to grabbing.
Dealing With Principles"
Supporters of the measure were
led by Delegate S. Denmead Kolb
OF Wlcomico, who said it was mot
a question of personalities or senti-
ment, but We are dealing with prin-
clples-something that affects vitality
every person in Maryland"
Il am first of all a Marylander
and sectional and personal feelings
must be laid aside. Conservation
has been kicked around the halls of
this State House in previous ses-
slons and I ask that we give this
commission chance to see what it
can do
Both party and sectional lines
split broadly over the measure and
observers predicted the same situ-
alton would arise in the Senate.
| The Women's jury service bill
which would give women the same
rights and duties of jury service as
men, passed the House only after
long discussion.
The principal opposition came
from the rural counties.
.. Tax Sale Bill.
Meanwhile the Senate Judicial
Proceedings Committee prepared
to report favorably on the tax sales
bill, Legislative Council measure
designed to make uniform through
out the State procedure in tax sales.
Tax sales are now governed by a
multitude of local bills.
The report virtually is certain, it
was SAID, to touch off a hot floor
debate. Controversy, however, will
be delayed until tomorrow, since the
committee amended the bill, which
automatically lays over for a day
under rules of procedure.
The merit rating bill, which would
provide more favorable unemplov-
ment compensation fund rates to
employers whose workers had not
oeen heavy drain on the fund in
the three years previous, appeared
headed for discard, some legislators
! said.
The measure passed the Senate by
a close vote last Friday, and was
scheduled for final considera ton
yesterday, but was referred back to
the Finance Committee for addi-
tlonal study.