Evening star., 1947-01-14
Maryland Hearings
,0pen on Revision Of
Child Adoption Laws
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor SfoH Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 14.-A public
hearing before the Senate Judiciary
Committee on two measures revising
Maryland's adoption and child care
laws held the spotlight in the Cen
eral Assembly today.
The hearing was to be held in
the Senate chamber. Delegations
from Montgomery County, Baltimore
and the Eastern Shore were
expected.
The bills to be discussed were
introduced last week by the Legis-
lative Council.
Aimed at "Black Market"
One Is designed to break up the
so-called "bIack market" in adopted
babies and provide socially neces-
sary and desirable" changes in State
adoption laws.
Among other things, the bill would
make it unlawful for any agency,
institution or individual connected
with the placement Of q child for
adoption to accept compensation
for the service.
The other bill would require all
institutions caring for one or more
minors, and individuals regularly
engaged in the business Of providing
homes for minors, to obtain licenses
from the State Department OF
Public Welfare.
The hearing, first to be held since
| the General Assembly convened
January I, was ordered by the COM
mittee at the request Of Senator Roy
Tasco Davis, Republican, of Mont
gomery County. Senator Davis
said he acted at the suggestion of
the Montgomery County League Of
Women Voters.
Survey Planned.
Meanwhile, Delegate Julian p.
King, Republican, of Montgomery
announced he is attempting to OBJ
tain the sentiments of county resi-
dents on whether the Legislature
should authorize 'bush-bobs" for
fishing and the payment of bounty
for foxes.
He explained that "bush-bobs," I"
which were outlawed for Mont
|gomery County fishermen in 1941,
but are permitted in Frederick
County, mean the tying Of fishing
lines to bushes along rivers and
streams.
think the practice was prohibited
in Montgomery County because 1t
resulted in the catching of too many
game fish, such as bass and trout,
and depleted the streams, Mr.. King
said.
Asserting that both ''bush-bobs"
and bounty for foxes are favored
by residents of the rural section Of
Montgomery, Mr. King asked that
those living in other areas write to
him expressing their views.
Senate Holds Session.
The Senate met last night for q
4-minute session. Its only official
act was to approve payment Of post
age for committees.
The House session was delayed an
hour as a result Of the continued
failure of the Baltimore delegation
to agree on a chairman.
Shortly before the House ad-
journed Charles F. Argabright,
Democrat, of the fifth Baltimore
district, who had been named tenn
porary chairman Friday by Speaker
G. Ferdinand Sybert, Democrat, Of
Howard County, announced no fur
ther meetings of the delegation
would be held until two members
who are Ill are able to attend.
Mr.. Argabright also introduced q
measure permitting women to serve
on Maryland juries. A similar bill
was presented in the Senate last
week.
Under the House measure women
not only would be permitted to
serve on juries should they choose,
but judges would be required to
summon an equal number Of males
and females" for each panel.
Borrowing Considered.
Earlier, a $62, 900 borrowing
program for improvements in Bal
timore was submitted to the city's
delegation at a dinner attended by
Mayor Theodore r. McKeldin and
City Solicitor Simon E. Sobelof.
The proposals cover items ranging
from SIC, ,O00, 900 for redevelopment,
slum clearance and acquisition of
land to s2O,OOo,000 for. school i'm
provements.
The State Revenue and Estimate
Board also met early In the evening
in the Office Of Secretary Of State
John B. Funk. New revenue
sources and a Tightening up of the
collection of State income; taxes
were reported to have been dis
cussed. No statement was made
after the meeting.
Believed high on the list Of poten-
tial new revenue sources is a con-
sumer's sales tax. Also reported un-
der consideration are cigarette
tax, an increase in gasoline taxes
and automobile registration fees
and an increase in amusement ad-