Evening star., 1943-03-21
0'Conor's 5 Supporters
Are Confident Senate
Will Pass Court Bill
Governor Will Sign
Measure Reducing
State Income Tax
BY the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, March 20. - Ad-
ministration forces directing the
fight for legislative adoption of the
Bond Commission plan to reorganize
the Court of Appeals were confident
today the bill would pass the
Senate when it appears on the final
passage calendar.
Spokesman who did not wish to
be quoted by name said they were
reasonably certain the controversial
measure, which would allow the
electorate to decide whether the ap-
pellate court should be reduced
from eight to five members would
attain the 18 votes needed to send
1t on to the House of Delegates,
where an easier path is predicted
On the vote by which a COM
promise amendment was adopted
by the upper chamber late yester-
day the administration forces di-
rected by Senator Joseph R. Byrnes,
Democrat, Of Baltimore lacked two
votes of the required three -fifths
majority, but this spokesman said
leaders were confident those two
senators would be won over before
the bill is placed on third reading
Monday night or later in the week.
Must Win Votes.
When the compromise amend
ment offered by Senator John B.
Funk, Democrat, of Frederick was
adopted, Senators Wilbur R. Dulin
Democrat, of Anne Arundel, and
George w. Della, Democrat, of
Baltimore voted with the opposi-
ton, but the administration forces
steering the bill through the Sen
ate were confident they could be
won back. On all previous votes,
the pair had gone along with the
administration.
The Funk amendment, which
retains the District plan of naming
judges to the high court, won over
Senators Horace H. Bowling, Re-
publican, of st. Mary's, Thomas E.
Hampton, Democrat, of Montgom-
cry, and Mr. Funk, its sponsor.
To pass the bill. the administra-
ton must retain the votes of those
three and also win back Mr.. Dulin
and Mr.. Della.
Will Sign Tax Bill.
Gov. O'Conor said today he would
sign the bill providing one-third
reduction in State income taxes to-
morrow night following its passage
by the Senate last night. The
Governor also disclosed that new
legislation permitting deductions
for Victory taxes and extraordinary
medical expenses on 1943 incomes
would be presented to the Legisla-
ture.
THE income tax reduction
amounting to approximately $4,000
900 for each of the three years
beginning with 1912 earned income
is the largest for any State in the
Union, Gov. O'Conor said.
Applying to, 1912. 1943 and 1914 in
comes, the bill would permit tax
payers to compute their tax in the
normal manner, then deduct one-
third Tor the total payment.
Administration leaders in the
House introduced a measure this
week, which would create a seven
member Maryland Executive De-
fense Council with broad powers to
act during the war emergency.
The measure would permit CO.
ordination of regulations to meet
air raids or other forms of attacks,
unified blackout rules, provide
authority to order evacuations and
arrange salvage programs.
Building Loan Legislation.
The Federal Governments favor
able attitude toward the building
and loan bill, which has been in
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee since early in the session,
removed a major obstacle in pass
age of the bill, according to Com
mittee Chairman John S. White of
Prince Georges.
The measure, which provides for
a State building and loan board,
proposes effective policing of Mary
land-chartered building and loan
associations with the intention of
putting them on a sound financial
basis.
Mr.. White said that at present
the Federal Savings and Loan In
surance Corp. would not consider
insuring Maryland-chartered COM
panies because they were under no
State regulation.
The chairman predicted that "if
the State-chartered Building and
Loan Associations do not obtain
this insurance which would be avail
able under this bill, before many
years the Federal-chartered associa-
tons will completely supplant the
Maryland institutions.
Work or Fight Bill.
Passed by the House without a
word of debate was the work or
fight" bill in which Ia of % counties
In the State had joined.
The measure was originally spon-
sored by Senate President Arthur
H. Brice. Counties represented in
this bill included Kent, Caroline. ST.
Mary's, Somerset, Worcester, Wi
comico, Anne Arundel Cecil, Har-
ford, Queen Annes, Montgomery,
Dorchester, Talbot and Baltimore
County.
Under this bill persons refusing
offers Of employment would be sub
ject to a fine of not exceeding $500,
up to six months in jail, or both.
Tesfe for Rows Win Seak