Evening star., 1947-02-20
Intention Act Repeal
Near Passing Stage
In Maryland Senate
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 20.-A bill to
repeal the Maryland Declaration of
Intentions Act had reached the
passing stage in the Maryland Sem
ate today. @ ~
The Senate approved favorable
report by its Judiciary Committee
yesterday and ordered the bill
printed for the third reading. The
act requires residents to declare their
intention to vote at least one year
prior to becoming eligible to cast
their ballots.
Final legislative action was taken
yesterday by the General Assembly
in the "oyster war" between Mary
land and Virginia with passage by
the Senate of a bill to punish vio-
lators of Potomac River oyster laws
by confscating their boats. The
measure, approved by the House last
week, was sent to the Governor.
Senator Paul j. Bailey, Republic
can, of st. Mary's County, charged
that "our people are being arrested
and convicted Of oyster law violation
while the se-eaIled Virginia courts
have consistently turned violators
loose" Is. se''' 1a9"assss
Virginia Violations Charged.
Senator James B. Monroe, RE
publican, of Charles County, who
also opposed the amendment, re-
called that Gov. Lane had expressed
willingness to sign the original bill
as soon as it was passed.
Then" Senator Monroe added,
"the Governor of Virginia called the
Governor of Maryland and said,
Boo and the bill was amended"
He accused Virginians Of violat-
ing the law ever since the compact
of l785, under which each State
has tried its own citizens arrested
for Illegal fishing in the other State.
While agreeing with Senator
Bailey's arguments, Senator L. Har-
old Sothoron, Democrat, of Prince
Georges County, said any unilateral
move by Maryland to destroy the
compact would destroy the very
things we fought for"
Also passed by the Senate and
sent to the Governor were three bills
affecting Washington Grove in
Montgomery County.
One authorizes the town TO bor-
row up to $4,000 for public improve
ments. Another eliminates provi-
sions in the town charter dealing
with tax sales to make them con-
form with county law. The third
removes the necessity of publication
by the municipality of its intention
to sell or lease town property.
Four bills were introduced in the
House by the Prince Georges dele
CATION. One would authorize the
county commissioners to levy 10
cent fire tax on property in the 18th
election district with the proceeds to
be paid to the Seat Pleasant, Cap
Iitol Heights and Hillside Volunteer
Fire Departments.
Another would authorize similar
levy in the 9Th election district
with proceeds to go to the Boule-
ward Heights, Forestville, District
Heights and MornlngSlde volunteer
Fire Departments.
Both measures would be submitted
to voters in the two areas in a
referendum at the 1948 general elec-
ton. If approved, the tax would
be levied in each district beginning
in 1949.
A third bill would authorize the
mayor and council of Edmonston
to borrow up to 10 per cent of the
assessed valuation of real and per-
sonal property for public improve
ments, including the construction OF
roads, sidewalks and cutters.
Bonds issued would be paid off by
an annual front foot assessment OF
butting property. The assessments
would be payable in 10 annual in
I stalments.
Salary Fixed at Sl20.
The fourth measure would fix the
Edmonston mayors annual salary
at $120 and the salaries of the coun-
cilmen at $50. The mayor and coun-
cilmen receive no compensation al
present.
The Montgomery delegation sub.
mitted bills to increase the Silver
Spring fire tax from to 10 cents
per 500 and to remove three lots
from the special taxing area, Of