Evening star., 1947-01-04
Lane 10 Deliver
Inaugural on
Wednesday
Governor Sworn
To Fill 5-Doy
Unexpired Term
BY J. B. Zotmon
Star Staff Correspondent

today was preparing his inaugural
address to be delivered Wednesday
before the General Assembly after
being sworn in yesterday to fill the
f1ve-day unexpired term of Herbert
r. O'Conor who resigned to take
his seat in the United States Senate.
Shortly before he took the oath
of Office in the State Senate cham
ber, it was learned the Governor
and his advisers finally had made
a choice for the Democratic floor
leader of the House of Delegates.
Selected for the post was Dele
gate Anthony F. Di Domenico of the
second Baltimore district. His ap-
pointment, which broke deadlock
for the floor leadership starting at
the opening session Wednesday, is
expected to be announced officially
when the Legislature reconvenes at
l pm. Tuesday.
Contenders for Post.
Contenders for the post had in
cluded Leroy Pumphrey of Prince
Georges County and John G. Lu-
ber of the fourth Baltimore dis
trict, who had been floor leader
during the last session.
Gov. Lane was sworn into Office
by Chief Judge Ogle Marbury of
the Maryland Court of Appeals in
a brief but solemn ceremony. The
entire proceedings, including al
speech by the new Governor, lasted
less than 10 minutes.
The Senate chamber and galleries
were crowded with delegates who
had been invited to witness the
ceremony and with spectators, some
of whom were forced to stand I'M
the rear of the room.
Shortly after Judge Marbury
walked up the aisle to the Senate
Presidents rostrum, Mrs. Lane and
her two daughters, Jean and Doro-
thy, entered and were seated just
below the rostrum. They were ac-
companied by Hal Hammond and
James j. Lacy, attorney general and
controller, respectively, in the Lane
administration. |
Others in Group.
Seated with them were Gov. Lanes
sister, Mrs. James Gambrill, Fred
erick; Charles S. Lane, Frederick,
a brother of the new Governor;
Mrs. John Bower, Hagerstown,
family friend, and Philip B. PERL
man, Baltimore attorney. Also
seated with the family was Harry
Barbour, colored butler in the Lane
family for many years.
The Governor -elect was escorted
by committee of Senators. Those
in the room stood and applauded
as Mr. Lane, wearing a gray busi-
ness suit, moved up the aisle to
the rostrum.
Senate President Joseph r. Byrnes
of the 5th Baltimore district, for
mally introduced the new Governor
Expressing his gratitude for the
honor of his Office, Gov. Lane prom
ised to provide for the people OF
Maryland "a government that is
not only efficient but that is honest
and decent"
He voiced confidence that prob
lens to be faced by his administra-
ton will be solved with cooperation
and mutual understanding.
After leaving the Senate chamber,
Gov. Lane Immediately went to his
office. He said he expected to re-
main in Annapolis over the week end
preparing his inaugural address and
settling down to his official duties.
Term Begins Wednesday.
The Governors regular four-year
term, to which he was elected last
November, begins Wednesday. He
will be inaugurated then with tradi-
tional ceremonies, including a pa
rade.
Meanwhile, Galen L. TAFT, Chevy
Chase, chairman of the Republican
State Central Committee, served no
tice yesterday on the Democratic
majority in the Legislature that the
minority bloc meant business"
Were off to a good start and we
are going to live up to it," said Mr.
TAFT, who has been consulting with
COP legislators here since the ses-
sion began.
Republican members, greater in
number than they have been in
many years, are also more united
than they have ever been,' he de-
clared.
"We fully expect to fulfill our duty
to the people of Maryland by serving
as a militant minority, working for
the best interests of the entire State.
We are party of which much will
be heard this time"