Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-19
Delay
Sales Tax Vote
|nMary|and
Showdown Is Slated
Tonight After Strong
6. o. P. Opposition
BY the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 19.-Stdte dd-
ministration supporters, facing a
strong minority with taxation plans
of its own, battled today to save a
sales levy described as necessary to
balance revenues with increased
governmental costs.
The State Assembly fight, devoid
.of give-and-take provisions, was
waged to obtain votes for passage
in the Senate of Gov. Lanes 2 per
cent sales tax proposal.
The tax, according to the admin
istration, is needed to pay the
States present and future bills.
Last night, showdown had been
set, but Senator George, Democrat,
of Queen Annes County, who is
maneuvering the administration
proposal, was successful in a mo-
ton to delay further consideration
until tomorrow night.
The new delay came after the IL
member Republican minority went
on record in opposition to the tax
and called for increases in personal
and corporate income taxes, beer
and amusement levies, and taxes on
tobacco and soft drinks.
5000, 900 Revenue Predicted.
The Republicans contend their
plan would raise S25,000,000 yearly,
the total Gov. Lane said was needed.
Minority Leader Kimble, Repub-
lican, of Allegany County declared
last night that COP Senators would
be summoned to the Governor Of
flee zone by one as part of cam
paign to induce them to change their
minds, but when Gov. Lane has
Gale dthe last Republican, the Gov
ernor will find IL men standing good
and true against the sales tax.
The sales tax is aligned with a
supplemental budget introduced yes
terday by Gov. Lane. This calls for
$28, 1865 ,29O in general fund appro-
priations for the next two years and
would increase the budget to $l19,-
420,S33 from general funds.
Gov. Lane seeks an additional $23,-
482,13l in special fund appropria-
tions, to increase the total to $685.
1876 ,331. 1t would bring overall pro-
posed State expenditures for 1899
to s219,256, 165.
Graduated Tax Discussed.
Senate President Byrnes, demo-
crat, of Baltimore and Senator
George, chosen by the administra-
ton to lead the sales tax fight,
said a graduated income tax had
been discussed as substitute for
the sales levy and that Attorney
General Hall Hammond had ex-
pressed the opinion it could be
made law without a constitutional
amendment.
In his legislative message, Gov.
Lane said studies of alternative
proposals led him to believe it was
not advisable to adopt any" of
them.
Il am convinced Gov. Lane said,
the proper solution of our problem
at this time requires the adoption
of the sales tax.
IF we are to put our educational
system on a plane where it can be
favorahly compared with those of
other States. we must provide the
funds. ="
The actual supplemental requests
from the general fund for 1948 as
submitted by the Governor came
to $12,956,788 and for 1949 to SIS
408,502. The requests from special
funds in 1948 amounted to $11,591,-
956 and for 1949 Sill, ,80O,175.
They were made contingent on
passage of the sales levy. to S
cents a gallon increase in the gaso-
line tax, the dozen bills boosting
pay of teachers and school officials,
provisions creating the equalization
fund, providing for basic State aid
per pupil and per classroom unit.
and establishment of an incentive
fund for school construction.
Gov. Lane told the Assembly
that Department of Education re-
quests for additional funds had
been set at $11,108,371 for 1948 and
S12,835, 1903 for 1949.