The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1947-06-05

series of articles on laws pertain
ing to Hagerstown and Washington
County that were passed at the 1947
session of the State Legislature and
signed by Governor Lane, we pre-
sent digests and comments on laws
affecting: The office of County
Treasurer; the Circuit Court Steno-
grapher; A Charter for the city of
Hagerstown; School Bonds; PEN
sions for City Employees; and Ac-
quiring of Property by the City of
Hagerstown, by Condemnation Pro-
ceedings.
Senate Bill 1923 (Chapter 670): An
act relating to the duties of the
County Treasurer in connection
with the collection and distribution
of taxes on motor vehicles in the
incorporated towns in the County.
This DILL, which became effective
on April rs, 1947, instructs the
County Treasurer to set up and
furnish the Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles with the list of taxes due
by owners of automobiles in every
incorporated town or municipality
in Washington County, and, when
the taxes are received from the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles,
to remit such taxes to the towns
and municipalities concerned. The
County Treasurer is authorized
to-retain five per cent of the taxes
collected. for his services, said five
per cent to be paid over and cred
tied to the general funds of Wash
ington County.
This law was made necessary due
to motor vehicle taxes now being
collected by the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles.
House Bill 149 (Chapter 214): An
Act concerned with the salary of
the Court Stenographer for the
Circuit Court of Washington County.
This bill, which became effective
March 20, 1947, authorizes and di-
reefs the Judges of the Fourth Ju-
dicial Ciaeuit ii Maryland, 10 ap-
point Court Stenographer for the
County and directs the County Com
missioners to pay the Court Stenog-
rapher such salary as the Judge OF
the Fourth Judicial Circuit shall
authorize The bill also makes the
Court Stenographer a sworn officer
of the Circuit Court.
Senate Bill 43O: An act fixing the
alary of the County Treasurer OF
Washington County.
This bill, which became effective
June l, 1947, fixes the salary of the
/ County Treasurer at $4,000 per an
mum and directs the County Com
missioners to pay all the office ex-
/ penses of the treasurer. 1t also
states that the Deputy Treasurer
and Clerks shall each be paid such
compensation as the Treasurer, with
the approval of the County Com
missioners, shall determine. The
bill also authorizes the County
Commissioners, at their discretion
to increase the salaries of the Treas
urer and the employees of his Office
Senate Bill $50 (Chapter 587): Ar
act authorizing the Mayor of Hag-
erstown to appoint a Charter Com
mission for the purpose of revising
or recodifying the present Charter
; of Hagerstown, or preparing an en-
tirely new Charter.
This bill, which became effective
June. l, 1947, authorizes Mayor
Sweeney to appoint a Charter Com
mission consisting of twelve citi-
zens of Hagerstown, whose duty il
will be to make a careful study Of
the present Charter of Hagerstowr
and either revise or recodify it, OF
! prepare an entirely new one
The bill provides for Commits.
sion of twelve citizens (six Demo.
Gratis and six Republicans, one o.
each party from the five Wards II
the city, and one of each party, Sc.
lected from the city at large, anc
the bill also states that the Com
mission shall be appointed by the
Mayor, not later than September l
1947.
The bill further states that the
findings of the Commission shall be
submitted to the voters of Hagers
town, without change or modifca
ton, at a special election, or at the
next municipal election, and that i
approved, whether in the form o.
amendments to the present charter
or completely new charter, Their
it shall become effective on the date
provided for in the findings of the
| Commission.
The bill finally states that the
Mayor and Council shall provide
for the publication and advertise