Evening star., 1947-03-13
. l[ W
Maryland Bill
Asks Road Fund
Diversion Ban
Proposed Amendment
Would Require
1948 Referendum
By J. B. Zotmon
Stur Sfdff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 13.-Legisla-
tion to prohibit diversion of gaso-
line tax and motor vehicle license
fees from highway use was before
the General Assembly today.
A proposed constitutional amend.
ment was offered in the Senate last
night by Senator Stromberg, Demo
crat, of Howard County. A referen-
dunn would be held in 1913.
The measure permits administra-
ton and statutory refunds, expenses
for enforcement of traffic laws ano
payment of obligations incurred ir
building and repair of highways OF
bridges.
All other purposes for which the
revenues have been expended ir
the past would be barred.
Intentions Act Repeal Killed.
The perennial bill to repeal the
Declarations of Intentions Act was
killed as a result of House action
yesterday, which precludes any pos
sibility of enactment of similar
measure the Senate may adopt.
The act requires new residents oi
the State to declare their intentions
to vote at least one year before they
become eligible to cast their ballots
The House sent to the Senate 8
bill to set up seven-member COM
mission to eliminate pollution ir
Maryland streams.
Use of that rare parliamentary
device, the "clincher," marked the
House action in killing the declara-
tions of intentions repeater.
Backed by Committee.
The bill was brought to the floor
with a favorable report by the Elec-
tions Committee.
William F. Stronger, Democrat, OF
Anne Arundel County Immediately
moved that 'the bill be laid on the
table and that the motion to lay the
bill on the table be reconsidered
and that the motion to reconsider
be tabled"
The rule on this "clincher" states
that "the subject matter shall not be
again considered during the ses-
sion."
Several Delegates jumped to their
feet to protest the move.
r. Duncan Clark, Republican, OF
Montgomery County said the present
law disenfranchises a large group
in his county because of its techni-
cal requirements.
"All ask" he declared, sis that
the bill come before the House for
proper consideration"
Motion Carried, SO to AZ.
Charles M. See, Republican, of
Allegany County asserted, This is
a most undemocratic way to murder
legislation"
A roll call vote was taken and
the motion was carried, SO to Al.
The anti-pollution bill would pro-
hibit the discharge into streams OF
any material injurious to fish and
wild life.
It would give the proposed COM
mission all enforcement powers on
pollution matters except those deal
ing with public health. The latter
would remain under the State
Health Department.
The commission could recommend
additional controls where present
ones are believed inadequate and
would cooperate with neighboring
States in anti-pollution work.
Violatcrs of the law would be
subject to a maximum fine of $500
or 80 days in jail, or both.
Unfavorable Report Adopted.
Later, the House adopted an un-
favorable committee report on a bill
to submit to the voters a proposed
constitutional amendment to make
Maryland juries in criminal cases
judges only of the facts presented.
At present, juries in such cases are
judges of the law as well as of the
facts.
Among delegates urging adoption
of the report was Leroy Pumphrey
Democrat, of Prince Georges Coun-
ty,, House majority leader.
Final action on the controversial
bill to exempt Montgomery County
from provisions of the Lindsay Law
scheduled to come before the House
yesterday, was held up until today
because the measure had not been
printed.
The Lindsay Law prohibits nom
partisan elections of County
Council in any county having a
charter form of government.
Other Bills Listed.
Other bills receiving House ap-
proval include one to incorporate
seven communities adjacent to
Mount Rainier in Prince Georges
County
The incorporated area, to be
known as Chapel City, would take
In Avondale, Avondale Terrace
Brookside Manor, Green Meadows
Chillum, North Woodbridge and
Michigan Park Hills.
Among bills introduced in the
House was one by Mr.. Clark to in
crease the Chevy Chase fire tax
from is to maximum of Is cents
per $100 to establish a retirement
and benefit plan for paid employees
of the Chevy Chase Fire Depart
ment.
Another. submitted by the Mont.
gomery delegation, would extenc
the Washington Suburban Sanitary
District to take in an area neal
Gaithersburg.
Delegation Submits Six Bills.
The Prince Georges County dele
Cation submitted six bills, one O.
which would authorize the count!
commissioners to issue up to 81 ,000,
900 in bonds for general improve
ments in the Metropolitan Area
The other five would:
Expand the duties of the count,
engineer and allow the county com
missioners to fix his salary.
Authorize the commissioners t,
establish regulations governing th
Improvement and maintenance o
roads.
Repeal an act relating to the com
Yenssfion of the States attorney
snce it is already prescribed b.
State law.
Eliminate provision in a 1874
Sw directing county trial magis
Yates to sit alternately at Uppe