Evening star., 1947-02-14
MontgonnerYBil
On nLindsayLaw
Facing Defeat
Favorable Report
Refused; Proponents
To Continue Fight
py - ". @ot"e"
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

Stor Stoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Feb. 14.-The
controversial bill to exempt Mont
gomery County from provisions OF
the Lindsay law today appeared
headed for defeat in the General
Assembly as a result of to 6 vote
by the House Judiciary Committee
against motion to submit favor
able report.
Despite the committees action
yesterday, however, members OF the
Montgomery County delegation en-
phasized, I'VE have just begun to
fight" They said they would ask
that the bill be brought to the
floor "at an appropriate time"
The Lindsay law, passed two years
ago, prohibits nonpartisan elections
of county council in any county
having a charter form of govern
ment.
Prince Georges Bills Offered.
Among bills introduced in the
House were eight affecting Prince
Georges County.
High lighting the Senate session
was a warning by Senators Roy
Tasco Davis, Montgomery County,
and Robert S. Kimble, Allegany
County, Republicans, that the mi
nority party would demand rock
bottom" minimum basic wage of
$4,000 annually for Maryland's
school teachers.
The House and Senate Finance
Committees went to work today on
Gov. Lanes SOL ,000,0 900 budget pro-
posal for the next biennium amid
Indications that it would call for
expenditure of many more millions
of dollars before it was reported out.
AS the fiscal committees studied
the bulky document the Legislature
was set to convene in its first Friday
afternoon meeting of the current
session. 1t was possible the Jim
Grow" repeater would be brought up
for final action in the Senate. The
Senate adopted by an 1910 vote a
favorable committee report on the
repeater.
The bill, Identical with ones
brought up at each session OF the
General Assembly of the last dec
ade, would strike out the law call
ing for segregation of Negroes and
whites on common carriers. 1t is
now enforced only on the Chesa-
peake Bay ferry system.
The House Judiciary Committee
vote against the Lindsay law ex-
emption repeater was announced by
Chairman Bernard s. Melnicove,
Democrat, of the 4th Baltimore dis
trict. He added the committee would
hold the bill until request is made
to bring it to the floor of the House.
1t was learned that just before
the committee opposed a favorable
report on the bill, the group voted.
9 to 6, against a motion to table
the measure.
Strategy Is Studied.
The all-Republican Montgomery
County delegation said it was study
ing future strategy" and expressed
optimism over the final result. 1--WE
think the vote in the House will be
close" said Delegate R. Duncan
Clark, "but we expect to win"
A similar bill is before special
Senate committee, headed by Sena-
tor Davis, and including Senators
L. Harold Sothoron, Prince Georges
County, and Edward D. Storm,
Frederick County, Democrats.
Gov. Lane, asked for his attitude
toward the bill, replied he is main
tanning a hands off" position.
While expressing his belief in
two-party system, the Governor
said he has not studied the bill and
could not say whether it would de-
stroy such a system in Montgomery
County, as claimed by opponents OF
the measure. He added he 9nas not
been asked by either side to take
direct stand in the matter.
1t has been reported, however,
that Democratic leaders have asked
members of the majority party to
vote against the bill, if and when
it comes to the floor of either House.
The eight bills introduced by the
Prince Georges County delegation
would
Authorize the county commission
ers to issue a maximum Of $500,000
in bonds to make additions to the
Upper Marlboro courthouse and the
County Service Building, Hyatts-
vile.
Empower the commissioners to set
up standards for the construction
and repair of all county roads, ex-
cept those in incorporated towns
and cities.
Provide for the appointment of
three lieutenants and an additional
sergeant and desk clerk in the
county police force, as well as the
establishment of a detective bureau.
Authorize the county commission
ers to issue maximum of $500,000
in bonds for roads and other public
improvements in 1947 and 194S.
Parochial School Buses.
Authorize the County Board of
Education to furnish bus transpor-
tation to parochial school students.
Empower the county commission
ers to levy 10 cent per 500 fire
tax on residents of the Oxon Hill
election district, to be paid to the
Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Depart
ment, Inc.
Permit skeet and turkey shoots on
Sundays.
Change the method of calculating
descriptions OF plats.
Require the approval of the Board
of Health for each plat in certain
cases.
The Senate Committee on Con-
stitutional Amendments yesterday
approved a proposal for an $500
annual pay raise for members Of
the Legislature. The approval came
during consideration of bill call
ing for ANNUAL sessions of the Gen.
eral Assembly to enable the budget
to be considered on a yearly basis.
legislators now receive $1,000 an
nually.