Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-03
Maryland Assembly
To ace Major Clash
On War Council Bill
Democrats Call Caucus
On Wednesday Before
Legislature Convenes
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. Although
the usual vanguard of the Maryland
Legislature was not expected to ar
rive here until just before the open
ing Of the General Assembly We'd
nesday, the lawmakers appeared
headed toward at least one big con-
troyersial issue today-the proposed
State War Council bill.
Truman Cash of Westminster,
State Democratic chairman, sent
advance notices today calling for
the majority party's caucus at 10
am. Wednesday.
Meanwhile, there were reports
that the Democratic caucus would
conduct its main business by noon,
with the session starting at noon as
usual. Then, after announcement
OF committees, a recess would be
taken.
Traditional Message.
II the opening were a mere for
mality, 1t was expected the Gov
ernor's traditional message to the
Assembly would be delivered at an
evening session.
Gov. O'Conor said he did not
know what the plans of the legis-
lators were for opening day.
Party leaders said that plans were
being made to have Senate and
House committees appointed almost
Immediately, in order that the legis-
lators could take up consideration
OF bills at once.
The 101 House Democrats and 20
democratic Senators were expected
to hold their caucus in the State
House. 1t was predicted that ma
jority leaders of the 1941 session
would be retained.
State Republican Chairman Galen
L. TAFT, said notices had been sent
to the % Republican delegates and
Senators for a caucus Tuesday
night at Carvel Hall, when minority
leaders will be chosen.
Gov. O'Conor declined comment
on the proposed war council bill,
which was submitted recently to the
Legislative Council by Attorney
General William C. Walsh.
Awaits Statement.
The Governor said a statement
was being prepared by the Maryland
Defense Council, which would in
clude opinions by the defense lead
ers, Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord,
commander of the Third Service
Command, and the attorney general.
Until this statement is published,
I don't feel that I should comment
about the proposal" Gov. OConor
said tonight
The State Legislative Council,
which already has more than 145
bills ready for introduction to the
General Assembly, at the outset,
voted seven to four Thursday to
withhold recommendation on the
War Council plan.
One administration leader ex-
pressed the opinion that Senator
James j. Lindsay, jr., Democrat, of
Baltimore County, would be the
party's choice for majority floor
leader, replacing Senator Dudley G..
Roe, Democrat, of Queen Anne's,
who did not seek reelection to the
Senate.
1t also was reported that Senator
John B. Funk, Democrat, of Fred
erick would be a candidate for the
floor leadership.
Brice, Conlon Return Seen.
Otherwise there appeared little
doubt that the Democrats would re-
turn Senator Arthur H. Brice Of
Kent to the post of Senate presi-
dent and Delegate Thomas E. Con-
Ion Of Baltimore as speaker of the
House.
Also it was expected that another
veteran, Delegate John S. White,
Democrat, of Prince Georges would
go back as House majority floor
leader.
The Republican caucus was ex-
pected to retain the same minority
floor leadership that served two
years ago-Senator Wilmer Fell Da-
Wis Of Caroline County, in the Sen
ate, and Delegate j. Milton Dick of
Allegany in the House.
Ordinarily, legislative leaders de-
1ayed organization of committees
for a week or more after the ses-
sion opening, but with plans for
quick action this year administra-
ton spokesman said it was hoped to
get bills moving almost immedi-
ately.
Housing Problem.
Meanwhile, the 152 lawmakers,
their clerks and other assembly per-
sonnet were confronted with the
critical housing problem. 1t was
partly for this reason, Democratic
leaders said, that the caucus of that
party was held off until the OPEN
ing day of the session.
Mayor William U. McCready an
nounced recently that a partial So
luton to the housing problem would
be found in his request that rooms
be opened in private homes. Hotel
rooms and apartments, however,
were almost impossible to find.