Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-20
Sessions
Set at Annapolis
To Speed Work
Maryland Assembly
Hopes to Adjourn
In Nine Days

-
BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Mar. 20.-The
Maryland General Assembly today
set its sights on adjournment March
% and scheduled night sessions for
this week in order to speed up work
on hundreds Of pending measures.
1t must adjourn by April 2 under
a. constitutional provision limiting
sessions to 80 days, but legislators
hoped to close up shop before then.
The Senate set the Assembly pace
in giving final approval to los bills,
80 of which we're sent to the Gov
ernor for signature. The rest went
to the Lower House for action.
Dozen Major Bills Passed.
About a dozen of those passed
were of more than local interest.
They included measures to allow
railroad companies to condemn
properties needed for substitute out
lets and to authorize courts of
equity on granting divorces to de-
termine personal property owner
ship and disposition.
The only extended floor fight Of
the day was led by Senator, Kimble,
Republican, of Allegany, and re-
suited in adoption of an amendment
to the old-age assistance bill.
The Kimble amendment elimi-
mated a clause which would require
support from relatives regarded as
a potential resource" with such sup
port to be determined by the State
Department.
Mr.. Kimble objected to the gen.
erality of the term relative" and
inquired whether cousins, uncles and
sons-in-law could be included. He
added that the clause also would
place an impeachment in the way of
aged persons needing public assist
ance.
House Approves Vets Preference.
Meanwhile, the House passed bills
which would:
Authorize county commissioners
generally to cooperate with soil
conservation districts and to make
appropriations to them.
Grant veterans preference in all
examinations under merit or civil
service provisions for county, city or
State jobs.
The Governor, joining in the eff
fort for early adjournment, dis
closed that the supplemental budget
of $4,000 900 to $4,000, 900 would be
sent 10 the Assembly today or to-
morrow.
Senate President Lindsay declared
that a session might be held Sat-
urday-the first of the current
meeting-to speed legislative work.
New bills continued to roll into
both houses, however. Thursday is
the last day on which new meas
ures may be introduced under a
rule prohibiting their introduction
within the last 10 days of a session.
The only way in which they may
be introduced in that period Is
through suspension of rules.
Anti Bias Bill offered.
Among House measures intro
duced were those which would:
Prohibit discriminatory employ
ment practices based on race, color,
creed, national origin, or ancestry,
and to create a State commission
to enforce the code;
Provide fines up to 500 and i'm
prisonment up to six months as
penalties for using vulgar, obscene
or offensive language on the tele-
phone or using the instrument for
immoral solicitation or invitation.
Permit the State Racing Commits
sion to continue joint racing meets
after the war.
Among the new Senate bills was
one to authorize issuance of bonds
up to 81 SOC, 900 in value to construct
new Chesapeake Bay ferry boat
and a new terminal at or near the
present Matapeake site on the East
ern Shore and to purchase traffic
equipment and erect the necessary
buildings.
The Senate adopted resolution
requesting the Legislative Council to
revise and recodify the Maryland
laws relating to licensing and sale
of alcoholic beverages.
The House Judiciary Committee
will hold a hearing Thursday on a
Senate bill to reduce the length of
voluntary separation as grounds for
divorce in Maryland from five to
three years, Chairman Tolle dis
closed.