Evening star., 1947-02-18
18D Democrats
Join Fight on
LindsayLaw
Curron Supporters
In Assembly Back
Montgomery Stond
BY J. B. Zotmon
Tstor Stoff Correspondent


lowers OF william Curran, Balti
more 9olitical leader, has been OBJ
tanned by the all-Republican Mont
gomery County delegation in tn.
General Assembly in its fight t.
exempt the county from provision
of the Lindsay law, it was learned
today.
Mr.. Curran, who supported forme,
State Controller j. Millard Tawe
for the Democratic gubernatoria
nomination last year, is reported
still at odds with the Lane admin,
istration.
Montgomery Delegate De Wit
Hyde said the 18 Baltimore delegate
who are led by Mr.. Curran, a forme
State attorney general, have prom
ised to aid the Montgomery grou,
in getting the bill passed if ant
when it is brought to the floor O
the House.
The Lindsay law, passed two year;
ago, prohibits non-partisan elections
of county council in any count,
having a charter form of govern
ment.
Bill Before Committee.
A bill to exempt Montgomer,
County from provisions of the law il
now before the House Judiciar.
Committee, which voted 8 to 6 las
week against motion to submit {
favorable report.
Difficulties Doubted.
No difficulty is anticipated In get.
ting the bill out of committee since
Chairman Bernard S. Melnicove
Democrat, of the fourth Baltimore
district, has stated he will bring thu
measure to the floor if request Ii
made.
If the 118 Curran followers vote
with the IS Republicans in the HOUSE
to approve the bill, making a tota
of SO, the minority party still viii
need 10 additional votes to have 6
majority.
A similar bill has been introduced
in the Senate and referred to d
special committee headed by Sena-
tor Roy Tasco Davis, Republican, OF
Montgomery County, and including
Senators t.. Harold Sothoron, Prince
Georges County; and Edward D
Storm, Frederick County, Demo-
Gratis.
No action is contemplated on the
Senate measure until the Mont
gomery delegation decides what to
do with the House bill.
The bill has been bitterly opposed
by Montgomery County Democrats,
headed by E. Brooke Lee.
Elimination of the secrecy sur
rounding relief payments by State,
city and county welfare depart
ments is proposed in a bill intro
duced last night in the House of
Delegates by Speaker c. Ferdinand
Sybert, Democrat, of Howard County
Also submitted were bills increas-
ing the personal exemptions of
World War II veterans in State in
come tax payments and requiring
that sleeping tablets be sold in
Maryland only by prescription.
John F. McNulty, Democrat, of
Anne Arundel County, said he
planned to introduce today a bill to
permit night harness racing in
Maryland.
Tax Message Due.
Meanwhile, members of the Cen
eral Assembly prepared to receive
Gov. Lanes message outlining plans
for new taxation.
The Governor, who was confined
to his home with slight throat in
fection, is scheduled to send the
message to the Legislature tomor-
row. He had planned to present it
last night.
1t will include the recommends
ton of the Board to Revenue Esti-
mates for 2 per cent sales tax
and an increase in income taxes
along with the governors views on
where the need exists for the ad-
ditiona1 money.
The bill dealing with relief pay
ments would repeal the section OF
the present law prohibiting publish
ing names of recipients of welfare
payments, the amounts paid, or any
related information.
Previous Measure Cited.
1t is the second measure concern
ing the operation of the welfare de-
partments of the State to come be-
fore the House.
Last Friday, John G. Luber, DEM
ocrat, of the 5th Baltimore District
introduced resolution calling on
fhe Governor to appoint Legis-
lative Committee to investigate the
welfare departments of the State
The resolution is now before the
House Ways and Means Committee
and Mr.. Luber has announced his
intention to appear before that
group today to press for its imme-
date adoption.
Gov. Lane has stated that if the
Legislature requests it, he will ap-
point a joint House-Senate commit
tee to investigate any or all welfare
departments of the State.
Bill Would Aid Veterans.
The bill to increase personal ex-
emptions of World War II veterans
was introduced by the st. Marys
County delegation.
It would fix the exemption fol
unmarried veterans at $500 anc
for married veterans at $2,500
Present exemptions are $1,000 anc
$4,000, respectively.
Another provision of the bill
would increase the exemption fol
each child of a veterans family from
$400 to $500. The measure woulc
continue in effect five years from
the date of passage.
Supporters of the harness racing
proposal have estimated it woule
bring in from $60O,00 to s700,0O(
in annual revenue to the State.
II the bill is passed it has beer
reported that tracks will be set ur
in Ocean City and Anne Arundel
Howard and Baltimore Counties.
The State Highway Users Con
ference asked Gov. Lane to sponsor
a resolution for establishment of {
commission to make a survey of tht
long-range needs and costs of tn,
Maryland roads system.
Lane to Cover Problem.
The delegation, OF is representa-