Evening star., 1944-02-20
0'ConQr toCa||
Special Session
On Soldier Vote
Governor Proposes
Continuation Of
Teacher Bonus
Ey the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
BALTIM ORE, Feb. 19.-Gov
O'Conor announced tonight his in
tention of calling special session
of the Maryland General Assembly
probably for the week of March 6,
to provide tor the soldier vote
In broadcast Gov. OConor said
that whether Congress enacts legis-
lation leaving the States the settle
ment CT such questions as qualifica-
tions of voters and the validity of
ballots, 1T appears necessary for
Maryland to enact further legisla-
ton in order to safeguard the voting
rights to those in the service
The session, accordingly. will be
called unless special reasons de-
velop :. to make it inadviSable, -
he added.
Gov O'Connor previously had
contended that the State should take
no atcion on the matter until Con-
gress reached final decision.
Wait Declared Wise.
"The various developments. the
proposals anC counter-proposals and
the changing attitudes combine to
show that we in Maryland would
have been umWise to have rushed
ahead and passed a State law
hurriedly, conditional upon a Fed
eral system then thought to be likely
OF adoption" he said.
The Governor proposed continu-
alton of $40 monthly bonus pay
ments to Maryland school teachers
until April l, 1945, eliminating the
months of July and August when
the schools are not in session. The
teachers thus would be paid the in
creases until the next regular Cen
eral Assembly session meets in
March, 1945.
He said he was willing to recon-
mend to the Legislature that two
thirds of the cost (of the payments)
be betrayed by the State on con-
dition that the local governments
put up one-third :. Under
this plan the State will be required
to advance more than a million dol
lars extra which, with the additional
amount of 81 100000 provided at the
beginning of the present fiscal year,
will total about S3,OOO,OOO paid out
of the State treasury for school
teachers increases"
Funds to Be Exhausted by April.
The present appropriation for the
bonuses will be exhausted in April.
School officials have urged continu-
ance OF the payments, and the Gov
ernor said the plan for extension on
a State-county-city plan carried the
approval of State Treasurer Hooper
S. Miles and State Controller j.
Millard Tawes.
Gov. O'Connor said his proposed
financial arrangement would bring
total public school ap-
to S19,0O0,0O0 for the
two-year period. or $1,000. 900 greater
than any previous Free State edu-
cation budget.
The Governor also proposed pay
increase for all State employees re-
ceiving less than $4,000 a year and
whose salaries had not been in
creased more than certain
amount as result of the standard
salary schedules"
Turning to the question of vet
erans' relief and readjustment, Gov.
O'Conor proposed supplemental ap-
preparations to the Maryland Vet
erans' Commission whereby serv-
ice officers can be engaged and sta
toned in various parts of the State,
available to veterans upon their
discharge
Will Decide on Personnel.
He said the Veterans Commits
sion would meet shortly to deter
mine the number of personnel neces-
sary for this work
Gov. O'Conor said his admins
tration intended ito continue our
most satisfactory relations with Sc
lective Service so that the
State will give all possible assist
ance to provide" Unemployment
for veterans.
A State wide, State-financed ad-
visory council will be set up to CO.
ordinate the work of the groups
handling various phases of veterans
questions, Gov. O'Conor said Re-
presented on the council would be
veterans organizations, education,
welfare, health. labor, employers and
private organizations
Delinquency Program Planned.
Concerning the junior delinquency
problem. the Governor announced
he would authorize the formation of
boys clubs, under police supervision,
to be started first in Baltimore City.
Judge Charles E. Moylan of the
Supreme Bench and Baltimore
Police Commissioner Hamilton R.
Atkinson have been asked to submit
plans for the formation of the clubs,
and the Boy Scouts of America, the
Boys Clubs and Negro Young Mems
Christian Association may be re-
quested to participate, the Governor
said.
Gov O'Conor reported he would
meet with representatives of local
governments and the Board of Pub
lie Works in Annapolis Friday to
discuss financial arrangements for