Evening star., 1947-03-18
TdxShowdown
cesMaryIand
Senate Tonight
Many Problems Wait
Solution Before
Recess on March 81
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 18.-Imposi-
ton of q State sales tax, jury service
for women, repeal of the Jim Crow"
law and reapportionment of legis-
lative members comprised a few of
the problems confronting Mary
lands General Assembly today.
These and other questions were
before the lawmakers as their lead
ers sought to keep abreast Of the
varied proposals which must be dis
posed Of before the closing of the
1947 meeting on March 81.
The House of Delegates Judiciary
Committee planned forenoon con-
ference to take up Senate-approved
bills which would permit women to
serve on juries and do away with
the Jim Crow" segregation act.
The Constitutional Amendments
Committees of both chambers sched-
uled meeting to take up the re-
apportionment plan, which would
give Baltimore city and the larger
counties greater representation in
the observation-disclosures to approval
by the electorate.
Tax Showdown Slated.
A showdown on Gov. Lanes 2 per
cent sales tax, keystone of the ad-
ministrations Embarrassing program
to finance increased costs of educa-
ton and other governmental func-
tions, has been made a special order
of business in the Senate tonight.
Partial settlement of the taxation
question was stalled yesterday when
the minority-the II Republican
offered a resolution con-
demning the sales tax as unjust,
obnoxious and unwise"
The Republicans offered a sub
stitute for increases in corporate
and personal income taxes, amuse-
ment levies, beer taxes and new I'M
posts on tobacco.
Vice Chairman George of the
Senate Finance Committee, who will
steer the administration tax pro-
gram, postponed debate with the
explanation the administration
wanted to permit full study of any
alternative tax program.
Sothoron Opposes Sales Tax.
Finance Chairman Sothoron, the
majority floor leader, has announced
his opposition to the sales tax. His
committee reported out the bill,
which is expected to raise $4,000 900
q year in additional revenue.
Administration leaders insist they
have enough votes to pass it, but
admit the margin will be close.
There also were indications the
House of Delegates will be the scene
of opposition when the plan reaches
that chamber.
Last night the House defeated a
proposed constitutional amendment
to abolish the States Orphans
Courts by accepting an unfavorable
committee report after a floor fight
Apple Commission Approved.
The House also passed and sent
to the Governor a bill creating a
Maryland Apple Commission within
the State Board Of Agriculture, to
advertise and promote the sale Of
Maryland apples.
A bill was introduced in the House
10 annul marriages automatically in
case either spouse were convicted
of bigamy or If the marriage was
between persons of prohibited de-
gree" or of different races not per-
mitted to marry.
The bill introduced by Delegate
Sklar, Democrat, of Baltimore would
also require State residence OF a
year before one could proceed for
an annulment of a marriage per-
formed in another State.
The Senate delayed a final vote
on a bill to abolish the Tidewater
Fisheries Commission and create a
Chesapeake Bay Authority with
identical duties.
The Senators accepted favorable
reports on legislation to curb strikes
by public employees and to prohibit
the checkoff of union dues by public
workers after agreeing on amend
ments.
The amendments eliminate Bal
timore City and Allegany and Gar
rett Counties from the strike bill,
and Allegany and Garrett counties
from the checkof legislation.
s25 100000 Revenue Forecast.
The Republicans, led by Minority
Leader Kimble, said their tax plan
would bring in $25,000,000 a year,
the amount which Gov. Lane said
would be needed in extra revenue in
his tax message of February 10.
The resolution proposed:
A corporation tax increase from
Is per cent to per cent. Gov.
Lane recommended per cent?
A personal income tax increase
from 2 per cent to per cent. Gov.
Lane recommended 2.5 per cent?
Increase in the tax on beer from
3 to 6 cents gallon.
Tax on cigarettes at the rate of
! cent for 10.
Tax on tobacco at Is cents a
pound.
Tax on alcoholic beverages at
! cents a gallon.
Increase in amusement tax from
y of l per cent to per cent.
While the Senate was in recess
to see what the Finance Committee
would do with the controversial tax
bill, the House settled down for a
floor battle on a measure to in
crease salaries of policemen in Bal