Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-14
Coalition Fights
Gag Rule Move
In Assembly
O'Conor Pleads
For States Rights
In Inaugural
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. IA House
OF Delegates coalition move to op-
pose imposition of the so-called
gag rule" which often is used to
limit debate, took shape today in
the wake Of Gov. O'Conors second
inauguration as Maryland's chief
executive.
AS both houses were called into
session this afternoon, support for
the anti-gag rule proposal, orig
mated in Democratic ranks, came
from high-placed Republicans In
the lower chamber.
Neither the House nor the Senate
accomplished much during yeSter-
days brief sessions toward action
on the stacks Of proposed legisla-
ton, but members received from the
Governor blueprint of broad
plans for wartime and postwar
legislation.
The chief executive made strong
plea for States rights, some Of
which he admitted would have to
be surrendered for the duration of
the war, and outlined 10-point
program Of legislation.
Opposes Limitation.
Regarding the gag rule question,
Delegate j. Howard johnson, Dem
ocrat, Of Wicomico, said he was
opposed to it, and added, 1--WE
will have plenty of time to debate
the legislation If we get down to
business Immediately"
IN past sessions, particularly near
the end of the session, the House
Rules Committee has imposed
i've minute debate limitation for
each member on any one bill when
desired.
2 Some men can say more in five
minutes than some can say in 20
minutes" Mr.. johnson asserted, but
that is no reason why in these criti-
cal times our right of public ex-
preston should be limited"
Support quickly came from two
Baltimore City Democrats, Albert E.
Sklar and Bertram L. Boone, as well
as from the House minority floor
leader, j. Milton Dick of Allegany.
Mr.. Dick said he saw no reason
~for bringing the gag rule into this
session where questions of such
great Importance are being con-
sidered.
Sees No Need for Rush.
Naturally, some of those ques-
tions will be controversial, and any
member who is elected to represent
his constituents should not be forced
by rule of the House to limit his
debate or remarks on matters vital |
to the war effort and the well being
of the State"
Mr.. Sklar and Mr.. Boone said they
planned joint action to make our
wishes known to that group of House
members who will cooperate to the
end that this session will be run to
eliminate the insidious jam seasons
that occure in the closing weeks"
1T can be done by refusing to
suspend the rules in the late hours"
Mr.. Sklar declared.
Delegate Leo M. Moore, Democrat,
Of Hartford, said he believed debate
limitation would have little effect
this session, adding I'VE are very
very much ahead of other years, and
there is every indication that legis-
lation will be handled in a prompt
and efficient manner so that there
will be no need for a last-minute
rush
Praise for Gov. OConor's inaug-
ural address, meanwhile, came from
both parties In the Assembly.
Inaugural Is Praised.
In addition to his plea for States
rights, the Chief Executive favored
legislation to amend the Senate
income tax law, to provide for the
establishment of postwar plan
ming commission, revival of plans to
build chronic disease hospitals, and
liberalization of unemployment
compensation laws.
Among comments on the inaugural
address were these:
Senate President Arthur H. Brice
Of Kent am in complete accord
with his opinions on the preserva-
ton of States rights, for there is too
much encroachment at this day and
time"
House Republican Floor Leader
Dick-"It was the kind of speech
that the people of Maryland ex-
pected and desired from their Chief
Executive, especially the part about
States rights under the American
Constitution"
House Speaker Thomas E. Conlon
Of Baltimore-"I have heard the
Governor make many speeches, and
I think this is the finest he ever
made. What impressed me most
favorably was his statement on the
principle OF States rights
Senate Republican Floor Leader
Wilmer Fell Davis, Republican, of
Caroline-"The best talk he has
made in his career, especially where
he stressed the fact that there
should be no partisanship shown
and we agree with him. We want
the administration to show it's good
faith by not removing minority ap-
pointments. - The minority is
willing and ready to cooperate for