Evening star., 1947-03-28
Delegates Pass
2-Year Budget
OF Pig Million
Gov. Lone Gets Bill
After House Defeats
Cuts Of 3H Million
By J. B. Zotmon
Siar StoH corrs.pendsnt

claOi Vic SzlayuUUUUU Stdte DuQReI
for the next two fiscal years, after
beating down attempts to cut pro-
posed expenditures by s3,40o, 900.
Also sent to Gov. Lane were two
measures intended to carry out his
five-year road and bridge program
at . cost Of approximately $685.
o0o,ooo.,
The Senate earlier had approved
the budget bill without debate and
with only six dissenting votes.
Income Tax Bill Pending.
The House action sent the Gen.
eral Assembly over its last major
legislative hurdles before adjourn
ment Monday.
Still pending before the Senate
is bill to increase personal income
taxes fsom 2 to rs per cent and cor
porate income taxes from is to
per cent.
The budget bill was passed by q
vote Of i06 to IA under suspen-
sion Of the rules, after the House
approved a favorable report b. me
Ways and Means Committee.
The first move to reduce the
budget was made by Harry I. War
rem, Democrat, of Baltimore County
who submitted rs amendments slic-
ing 100000 from the University
of Maryland's appropriation.
DR.. H. c. Byrd, university presi-
dent, was seated in the front of
the chamber when Mr.. Warren in
sisted that the proposal would not
seriously impair the institution's S
functions.
Increase in Expenditures.
Declaring he meant no rehec-
ton on DR.. Byrd, Mr.. Warren said
the university spent about $4,000
600 last year, while the budget con-
templates expenditures of $19,000,-
900 during. the two fiscal years be-
ginning July l.
In opposing the amendments,
lie Roy Pumphrey, Democrat, of
Prince Georges County expressed
doubt that the proposed cuts could
be made without causing consider
able" damage to the university. The
amendments were rejected by a
voice vote.
One road bill calls for expenditures
totaling $139,00o000, a 100000, 900
bond issue and an INCREASE from to
8 cents in the gasoline tax.
"a Million for Bridge.
The other proposes the construc-
ton of a group of bridges, including
a $24, ,000, 900 span over Chesapeake
Bay.
An amendment proposed bysWil-
liam G: O'Malley, Democrat, of the
Sd Baltimore district, to eliminate
the l cent gas tax increase touched
of a heated debate.
Mr.. Pumpnrey claimed the
amendment would defeat the en-
tire purpose Of the bill"
r. Duncan Clark, Republican, of
Montgomery County urged adoption
of the amendment on the ground
that some other method could be
devised to raise the necessary reve-
nue.. He said his county would be
seriously affected by the increase
because of it's proximity to the
District of Columbia, where gasoline
Is cheaper.
The amendment was defeated,
however. by a vote of 50 to a.
There was no argument on the
bridge bill, which was passed by a
voice vote.
The House also approved and
sent to the Governor a bill to retain
the present 10-cent State real estate
tax.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a
bill providing for an increase in
the school equalization fund and
the establishment of a school con-
struction incentive fund.
The Senate killed a measure to
regulate advertising by optometrists
or firms which employ them.
Senate Republicans are ready to
block another measure of the State
administration before the 1947 As
sembly adjourns by trying to keep
. Democrat on the State payroll.
Bill Would Gust Official.
The odd situation developed last
night when the Judiciary Commit
tee returned a favorable report on
a bill which would oust w. Lee
Elgin of Hagerstown as State COM
missioner of motor vehicles and
permit Gov. Lane to name a sue
cessor "as of July /. 1947."
Mr.. Elgin was named commits
sioner by former Gov. O'Conor in
1899 for a four-year term and was
reappointed in 1943 for a six-year
term ending in May, 194s,
Gov. Lane is a resident of Hagers-
town, but Mr.. Elgin was campaign
manager for j. Milward Tawes, who
opposed the Governor for the nomi-
nation in the 1916 Democratic pri-
mary.
Last night. Senate Minority
Leader Kimble, in a successful move
to delay a vote on the committee
report until today, charged it was
wrong to rip him (Mr. Elgin out
of his office before his term has
expired"
A bill to legalize the sale and
discharge of certain fireworks in
Maryland was strongly attacked
yesterday In Senate judiciary
Committee hearing at which it was
said the measure would "cut the
heart out of the present law"
Representatives Of the Baltimore
City Fire Department insisted exist
ing State law had proved "a great
benefit" and that there were but
two casualties in the State in the
last six years.
The Senate passed last night a bill
to permit Christian Science practi-
tioners to charge fees for their serv-
Ice in treating illness.
Although few important bills re-
main to be dealt with, plans were
already being made for adjourning
the l947 General Assembly.
Senate President Byrnes disclosed
he expected to adjourn the Senate
about 5 pm. Monday The Senators
are planning dinner to celebrate
49, rJ~r;v~ Tt.z