Evening star., 1943-03-04
Bill 10 Revannp
Appeals Court
Takes Spotlight
Enemies of Measure
Flock to Annapolis
To Register Objection
BY the Associated Press.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 4.-The
Bond Commission proposal for re-
vamping the Court of Appeals took
the legislative spotlight again today
as foes of the measure came to An
napolis to express their objections.
In addition, plan to allow women
70 serve on juries in the State
brought forecasts of a debate in the
House of Delegates. where bill
proposing a constitutional amend
ment to permit Maryland residents
over 18 years of age to vote was
tabled.
Delegate Milton Tolle of Balti-
more, chairman of the House Ju-
dietary Committee, said that group
hoped to report the women's jury
bill out in day or so, but other
members of the committee said the
committee would make a favorable
report today.
Will Stir Controversy.
The bill appeared certain to stir
up a controversy, although several
observers said the lower chamber
probably would send the measure
on to the Senate, where it's fate was
uncertain.
Representatives of the two rail-
road brotherhoods and the State
CIO gave public Endorsements to the
bill.
The Bond Commission bill
(SB210, one of three commission
proposals before the Assembly, would
reduce the size of the Court of Ap-
peals from eight to five members
two from Baltimore City and three
from the counties.
There would be none of the other
present geographical restrictions on
the election of judges, who also
would be relieved of trial court
duties.
Proponents of the court bill ap-
peared before joint meeting of
the Senate Judicial Proceedings
and House Judiciary Committees
last Thursday, but lack of time pre-
vented presentation of arguments
against the measure and that por-
tion of the hearing was delayed
until today.
Southey Miles, Baltimore lawyer,
acted as chairman Of opponents of
the proposal who stated their OBJ
jections.
Requires Three-fifths Majority.
The bill, because it provides for a
constitutional amendment, requires
a three-flfths majority in both
houses for passage.
The tabling of the 18-year-old
vote bill, which bore an unfavorable
report of the Elections Committee,
apparently killed the measure.
Delegate Leroy Pumphrey of
Prince. Georges declared that Hit
Ter rose to power with his Nazi
youth movement in Germany" and
that the bill should not be adopted
because American youth should be
safeguarded and protected until
they are old enough to be respon-
sible for their own affairs"
Delegates Albert L. Sklar. Bertram
L. Boone, II, and John T. Booth, all
OF Baltimore, introduced the bill
and sought to have the Elections
Committees report overridden.
Mr.. Sklar said Georgia had passed
q similar measure and that other
States. as well as Congress, were
considering the question.
Majority Floor Leader John S.
White of Prince Georges said he did
mot want to cast any reflections
upon" proponents of the bill. but
the only letter I have received urging
its passage comes from the Young
Communist League"
Mr.. Sklar said: Il was just as sur
prised as the rest of you at the letter
from the Young Communist League" "
He said he felt that the question
was whether Or not the people OF
Maryland should be given the op-
portunity to vote at the next general
election in 1914 on the proposal to
lower the voting age"
Meanwhile, plans of the Senate
Militia Committee to speed passage
OF an emergency State Guard bill,
placing special bridge guard units
under military regulations, had hit
q temporary snag.
The committee had agreed to seek
final passage at yesterdays session,
and Senator Joseph NJ George of
Queen Annes, chairman of the body,
moved after the adoption of a IA
vorable report that the rules be
suspended and the measure placed
on third reading.
Bill Referred to Committee.
However, Senator Joseph A. Will
mer of Charles, also member of
the committee, suggested that the
bill be referred first to the Senate
Finance Committee since it was
amended in the House before pas
sage by that chamber to increase
the rates of pay of officers OF the
detail.
Senator George said he had nc
objection to referral of the bill to
the Finance Committee, and that
was done.
Most of the new bills offered dur
Ing the Senate session were local in
character, but one introduced by
Senator James w. Hughes of Cecil
would add 10 new sections to the
State license law, imposing fee on
dealers and agents buying and sell
Ing livestock. License fees, under
the proposal, would range from SIC
to 500, depending upon the size
of the business.
The House passed IS Senate bills
and 16 new bills were introduced
including another work or fight
bill for Anne Arundel County.