Evening star., 1945-01-26
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1e45.
Home Rule Bills
Feared Doomed
After Hearing
Maryland Assembly
Session Told ID
Counties Oppose Plan

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 26.-The ur-
expected opposition OF commission
ers in IA Of Maryland's % counties
to the home rule" bills-which
would give county commissioners
more power-apparently left the
State Legislature today with the
choice OF extensively revising, or
abandoning, the measures.
Only Baltimore County favored
|the three bills which would relieve
the Maryland Legislature of the
usual biennial flood of local regula-
tory legislation.
A Kent County representative said
his commissioners favored home
rule in principle, but expressed spe-
ciflc objections to the bills in their
present form
Six were not represented at yes
terday's joint hearing.
Favoring the proposals, with re-
servations, were Baltimore and Kent
Counties.
Opposed were Anne Arundel,
Caroline, Calvert, Charles, Cecil,
Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett,
Prince Georges, st. Marys, Somer-
set, Talbot, Wicomico and Wor-
cester Counties.
Montgomery Not Represented.
Unrepresented were Allegany, Car
roll, Hartford, Montgomery, Queen
Anne and Washington County COM
missioners.
Howard County's representative
was undecided.
Objections raised to the legisla-
ton included complaints that the
duties of home rule would impose
too much work on commissioners
for the salaries they receive, and
that the local delegations to the
Legislature would 'nose touch with
the people"
One of the principal objections
vas that the commissioners, meet
ing weekly as they do, would be
harried by pressure groups" If their
powers over local expenditures were
increased.
However, the proponents of the
"home rule" bills said they had not
given up, despite the jubilance of
opponents.
White Raps Proposal.
One Senate leader who declined to
be quoted by name said, "the county
commissioners, after all, don't neces-
sarily speak for the people"
House Speaker John S. White of
Prince Georges, whose opposition
has been outspoken since the meas
ures were first brought before the
legislative council last year, inter-
preted the commissioners views on
home rule thus:
J.. We don't need it, We don't want
!. II, things are all right as They Are
now. leave us alone-that's what
they said"
| Waldo Burnsides, representing
Prince Georges County, said he con-
sidered his county well taken care
Of in the past and we wish to re-
main as we are"
Today, Gov. OConor was to sign
the first batch of bills passed by the
General Assembly at a ceremony in
the executive Office.
The Governor said he planned
periodic signings to prevent jam
ups"
Gov. O'Conor had asked that to-
days session be in honor of the
birthday anniversary of Gen. Doug
las Macarthur.
A bill which to provide for ncens-
ing and regular inspection of hos
pitfalls by the State Board of Health
passed the Senate unanimously yes
terday and was sent to the House.
Termed by medical authorities
and legislators alike vital step
toward forcing some lax institutions
to meet minimum personnel, ethical
and other standards, the measure
went to the General Assembly bear
ing Legislative Council approval.
/ 1t would authorize "the State
Board of Health to promulgate rules
and regulations prescribing certain
minimum standards for hospitals
and minimum qualifications for the
professional staffs,