Evening star., 1947-02-21
Woman Jurors
Bill Ready for
Test in House
Measure Is Passed
By Maryland Senote
After Heated Debate
BY ]. B. Zotmon
Stcr StoH Corrsspondent


for the controversial bill qualify
ing women for service on Maryland
-Juries today centered in the House
Of Delegates, after the Senate
passed the measure yesterday 20 to
9, following heated debate.
The action came after defeat of a
motion by Senator Henry H. Blach,
Democrat, of Talbot County, to
table the bill.
Counties exempted from the pro-
posed law, which would permit
women jurors are Allegany, Carol,
Garrett, Washington, Queen Anne's,
Talbot, Dorchester, Howard, st.
Mary's and Kent.
Senator Blach said he views with
alarm the tendency in this body to
change existing practices"
IF We do not believe in our in
stitutions," he declared, Change
them. If we do, let us leave them
alone"
Denies Questioning Intelligence.
He explained he was not uues-
tioning the intelligence of women
but that he did not believe them
suitable for jury service because
God in his wisdom has made them
different"
Although opponents of the meas
ure questioned its constitutionality,
the attorney Generals Office has
described 1t as constitutionally
sound as written and amended.
Senator Bolton, Democrat, of
Baltimore County, supported the
bill as Clearing the direct path of
rights of women which started some
rs years ago when women were
chattel."
Others speaking in favor of the
measure included Senators Louis L.
Goldstein, Calvert County, and Ed
ward D. Storm, Frederick County,
Democrats.
Meanwhile, the Senate today pre-
pareo to receive Gov. Lanes list of
greeting" appointments, subject to
Senate confirmation. Completion of
the liss, which was expected to be
presented yesterday, was delayed be-
cause of the Governors illness.
New Fisheries Bill Offered.
Among bills introduced in the
Senate yesterday was one to create a
new Chesapeake Bay authority to
replace the present Department of
Tidewater Fisheries n in regulating
Maryland's tidewater resources.
The measure was introduced joint
ly by is members, including Senators
Goldstein, Roy Tasco Davis, Mont
gonery County; Paul J. Bailey, St.
Mary's County, and, James B. Mon
roe, Charles County, Republicans.
Under the bill, the proposed au-
thority could operate its own boats
and other equipment, Including arms
and ammunition.
One of the provisions gives the au-
thority power to control the planting
and propagation of oysters and
crabs. Fines ranging from $40 to
$500 would be imposed for violations.
o.. The bill would take effect June l
with the appointment by the Gov
ernor of three members to serve
four-year terms. Two of the mem
bers would have to be residents of
Tidewater Counties and not more
than two could be Of the same po-
litical party.
Teacher Bill Introduced.
The Senate also received a bill by
four Senators, including l.. Harold
Sothoron, Democrat, Of Prince
Georges County, to increase mini
mum salaries for teachers. Under
the measure, teachers with degrees
would receive $4,000 year, an in
crease of $500 over the present 1,500
minimum. Non-degree teachers
would begin at $4,000 a year.
Both would receive 500 annual
increments, with degree teachers
reaching a maximum of $4,000 and
non-degree instructors a maximum
Of $500.
Principals with graduate, credit
would receive amounts ranging
from $400 to $1,000 in excess of
those provided for teachers, depend
ing on the number of teachers in
their schools.
In the house, the Montgomery
County delegation submitted a bill
to repeal a 1945 act increasing the
powers of the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. r
The measure is the first of several
10 be introduced by the delegation,
all of which are intended to curtail
the authority of the commission in
Montgomery County.
Could Construct Centers.
Under the 1945 act, the commits
sion could appoint park policemen,
operate recreational programs, in
cluding the construction of COM,
munity buildings and recreation
centers, and set up merit system
for its employees.
Approved by the House and sent
to the Senate were two bills affect
ing Prince Georges County. One
would prohibit the acquisition of
land in the county for an airport
without approval of the county
commissioners.
The other would increase from
$500 to $2,250 a year the salary
Of the stenographer in the Office of
Circuit Court Judges Charles c.
Marbury and John B. Gray, jr., in
the Upper Marlboro Court House.
The Senate passed and sent to the
fS0verv1nr q hill ro1oo limo Tho ohor