Evening star., 1947-03-16
Maryland Senate Vote
Due Tomorrow on
Sales Tax Measure
By the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 15.-Heeding
the administration "speed-up" COM
mand, the Senate Finance Com
mittee brought the Maryland re-
tail sales tax bill to the floor to-
day with a favorable report.
The Senate itself, however, did
not act upon the report because
of list of amendments and, on
motion of Minority Floor Leader
Kimble, the measure was laid over
until Monday.
The major amendment exempting
livestock, poultry, seeds, feeds for
livestock and poultry, fertilizer,
lime and land plaster used for agri-
cultural purposes was seen as a bid
for farm support.
Chairman Sothoron of the FL
nance Committee, who is opposed
to the 2 per cent tax which is esti-
mated will produce $18,000,000 an
nually in revenue, said the COM
mittee members took voice vote
on the favorable report.
Explains AucIlumtHtS.
Senator George, Democrat. of
Queen Anne, who is expected to
spearhead the administration bat
tie for the measure, gave an ex-
planation of the amendments.
Farmers are only exempted from
paying the tax on that portion OF
his purchases which are incor-
porated or grown into other prod
ucts for resale" he said.
Other exemptions in the amended
bill were newspapers, amusements,
pullman accommodations and meals
on trains in interstate commerce
and sherbet for off-sale conSump-
ton.
In the original bill, manufacturers
purchases were exempted and the
amendment eliminating livestock
and other commodities was adopted
on the theory that farmers are es-
sentially food manufacturers.
Amusements Affected.
The amusement is effective as long
as the present gross receipts tax on
amusements is in effect.
Mr.. George said that when, and IT
this gross receipts tax ends, the sales
tax would automatically apply to
amusements.
The Senate and House, meeting on
Saturday for the first time this
session, sped through long list of
legislation mostly routine and local.
The House quickly passed A bills.
There were negative votes on only
one measure, by Senator Storm,
Democrat of Frederick, defining the
practice of dental hygiene and set
ting up a licensing procedure for
the profession. The vote was ITS.
Another bill adopted would revise
laws relating to sale of alcoholic
beverages to minors, permitting per-
sons 81 and over to obtain a regis
tration card if desired. AS amended,
the bill declared that If a tavern
keeper were arrested for selling to
minor and could prove that he
had been shown a registration card
this would be deemed "a just de-
fense."
Pay Raised.
The Senate passed bill proposing
constitutional amendment to per-
init annual sessions of the Legisla-
ture, and raising the pay OF Sena-
tors and Delegates from 81 900 to
81 800 per year effective in 1949.
The Senate also passed a House
bill providing that the State Roads
Commission would establish high
way and street speed limits. The
limits now are set by law.
Another House bill passed and
sent to the Governor requires that
passenger boats carrying Is or more
persons in Maryland waters must
install ship-to-shore telephones or
communications.
Eight House bills carrying out pro-
visions of the Sherbow Commission
with regard to education were
passed by the Senate without de-
bate and sent to the Governor.
Other Provisions.
Four of these would raise the
amount of State money granted to
schools on a classroom unit basis
from $3.50 annuity to $500; grant
other State aids on the basis of $40
per pupil in attendance at various
schools; authorize the State Educa-
ton Board to establish the ratio of
high school teachers to the number
of pupils enrolled; create building
incentive fund to which the State
would contribute between 50 and
$40 per pupil for each cent up to
levied for school construction
purposes.
Another would clarity present
laws dealing with State aid to mu-
inequalities and counties, and three
repeal obsolete sections Of the school
laws.
The Senate judiciary Committee,
meanwhile, approved a bill per-
mitting optional rent control in the
counties and Baltimore city in event
Federal controls are ended.