The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-03-04
STATE SENATE PASSES BILL
TO BOOST COMPENSATION
Approves Act TO Have Property
Assessment Continuous

At Annapolis yesterday the Mary
land State Senate passed along to
Governor O'Conor a bin to increase
workmen's compensation benefits in
cases of total permanent disability
and sent to the House of Delegates
another which would provide for con-
tinuous property assessments.
Both the measures drew the fire of
some senators. the workmen's COM
pensation bill in particular precipi-
tating hot debate in which most of
the criticism was directed at the Leg
islative Council.
However, on the final vote only one
senatol-Joseph A. Wilmer, Charles
county-cast a ballot against the
compensation proposal, while only
Robert B. Kimble, Allegany;
Robert Fulton Waller, Wicomico, and
Wilmer Fell Davis, Caroline voted
against the assessment bill.
Davis Assails Move
The discussion Of the tax assess
ment bill, which would provide for re-
valuation of all property once every
five years, was brief. Under the pro
posal the State would be divided into
five Biographical divisions and one
section would be reassessed each year.
Senator Davis asserted that 'the
State Tax Commission has not proved
we have had unfair and inequitable
taxation in Maryland" and charged
the bill was simply a modern idea to
centralize authority.
A declaration that the Eastern
Shore counties were solidly opposed
to the bill came from Senator Waller,
while Senator James J. Lindsay, Bal
timore, said the measure actually
gave the counties more authority than
they have at present. He deplored
''the attempt to raise sectional oppo-
siton" and called the plan:
"One Of the most constructive and
sound pieces of legislation which the
1913 General Assembly will have an
opportunity to pass
The Legislative Council, which drew
up the compensation measure, was at
tackled by Senator Lindsay, who said
it was an example Of the type Of leg
islation the council never should have
handled.
'NUt Function"
"The Council has gone far afield and
I submit that it was not the function
of the members of the Industrial Ac-
cident Commission. perhaps some OF
them with axes to grind, to recon-
mend such legislation" the Baltimore
senator said
The bill would increase total pay.
ments from $4,000 to $780, raise the
minimum weekly benefits from So t.
$40 and the maximum weekly bcne-
fits from $40 to $23
~ measures Approved
Nineteen other measures were ap
proved by the upper chamber TIVE
joint resolutions were adopted anc
seven new bills were introduced, two
of which affected Garrett county.
Bill 318 would amend the law in
creasing the amounts paid to certain
fire companies, and Senate Bill 80;
would amend the law providing al
excise tax on all beer sold in Carrot
county.
The bill to amend the Garrett coun
ty law authorizing the County Com
missioners to borrow money on un
collected taxes.
The House passed 20 measures, haC
10 introduced including two aimee
at Gripping Elkton's marriage bust
ness by subjecting county clerks t.
fines for issuing licenses outside O
office hours and prohibiting signs
billboards and similar advertising
mechanisms.
All measures passed by the HOUSE
were either local or legislative coun
Gil measures.
The measure permitting employ
ment of prison labor in State insti
tutions and departments was approved
by the Senate.