Evening star., 1947-02-07
Prince Georges Bills
Get House Approval; !;
One Fixes Taxi Fares
BY a s,or Stuff Correspondent

BY a Sfuf Sfoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 7.-Seven
Prince Georges County bills, one of
which authorizes the county COM
missioners to fix taxicab rates, to-
day had the approval of the House
of Delegates.
The measures we're passed at
yesterdays session, which was
marked by the introduction Of the
first veterans bonus bill to reach
the General Assembly since World
War II.
The bill sponsored by three Dele
gates from Baltimore City and Dele
gate William H. McGrath, Demo-
crat, of Prince Georges County,
seeks a s100,0 100000 bond issue to
pay the bonus to an estimated $780,
600 Marylanders. The cost would
be financed by real estate taxes.
Under the taxicab bill, the Prince
Georges County Commissioners are
empowered to consult with public
utility commissions inside and out
side the State concerning the rates
to be charged by taxicabs carrying
passengers to and from adjoining
Jurisdictions.
Commissioners Empowered.
The commissioners also are arl-
thorized to enact ordinances regulat-
ing the operation of taxicahs with
in. the county.
The other six Prince Georges bills
passed by. the House were Hyatts-
vile town measures.
The bonus bill provides that the
proposed bond issue would be SUBJ
mitted to the voters in the 1948
general election.
II applies only to persons who
served in the armed forces between
September 6, 1910, and September
3, 1947, and would make the follow
ing apotments after the bonds are
sold in 1850:
Those in overseas service, $500;
those not overseas but on active
duty in the United States for three
months or more, 5000, and those
who served for less than three
months, 500.
Taxes to defray the bond issue
would range from ATS cents per $1o0
in 1850 to ITS cents from 1853 to
1864 and to 1875 cents in 1865 when
the last bond would mature.
Mr.. McGrath also submitted a
proposed amendment to the State
constitution to prohibit any person
who advocates or is a member of an
organization which advocates the
overthrow of the Government by
force, from holding public Office in
the State or any county, munich
pality or political subdivision.
The Prince Georges County dele
gate said his proposal was aimed at
members of the Communist Party.
The bill was referred to the House
Judiciary Committee. It would be
submitted to the voters in the 1948
general election.
Leroy Humphrey, Democrat, Of
Prince Georges County and House
majority leader, put forward bill
prohibiting the acquisition Of any
land in the county for an airfleld
without written permission by the
county commissioners.
Mr.. Pumphrey said his measure
was intended to prevent repetition
of the State Aviation Commissions
action in approving proposed sea-
plane site at Broad Creek near
Silesia.
Suit Already Filed.
He revealed he has filed suit
in Prince Georges County Circuit
Court at Upper Marlboro requesting
that the commission be forced to
reconsider its action.
Declaring that the commission ap-
proved the site despite the opposl-
tion Of the county commissioners
and adjacent property owners, MIR.
Pumphrey asserted:
'It's time to stop the perfunctory
actions by the Aviation Commission
in direct disregard of the people
affected"
Two bills were introduced by the
Prince Georges delegation.
One would authorize the county
commissioners to establish dog
pound, provide for the collection Of
stray dogs and fix fees to be paid
collectors of dog taxes.
The other would increase the sal
ary Of the stenographer in the
office Of Circuit Judges Charles C..
Marbury and John B. Gray, jr., in
the Upper Marlboro Courthouse
from $500 to $2,250 a year.
The Montgomery County delega-
ton submitted bill increasing the
number of Takoma Park council
men from six to seven. The ad-
ditional member would be elected
in that portion of the city in Prince
49,