Evening star., 1947-01-09
Assembly Turns
TO Duties With
Lane al Helm
Governor Begins
4-Yeur Term at
CoIorfuI inaugural
By J. B. Zotman
Sfor Sfoff corrsspondanf

ANNAPOLIS. Md, Jan. s.-Mem-
bers of the General Assembly today
resumed their legislative duties
after witnessing the colorful in
yesterday of william
Preston Lane, jr., as the 56th Gov.
ernor Of Maryland.
S Afterwards Gov. Lane told a joint
session of the Legislature the State
faced the problem of finding addi-
tional revenue to have q. balanced
budget for the next two years.
The General Assembly, which con-
vened January !. gave all its atten-
ton to the Inauguration and trans
acted no business other than the
constitutional formalities necessary
to install the Governor for his four
year term. He had served five days
of the term of Herbert r. O'Conor,
who resigned last Friday to take his
seat in the United States Senate.
Meet at PM. Today.
After the Inauguration address
the Senate and House adjourned
until l pm. today.
The inaugural ceremony was the
gayest since the first term of for
mer Gov. O'Conor in 1899. Mary
lands historic State House was q
blaze Of color, with national and
State flags hanging from the walls
and windows.
The halls of the stately old build
ing, draped in the red, white and
blue, and In orange and black Of
the Maryland flag, were crowded
with an estimated 1000 persons
shortly before noon.
An additional 800 persons waited
outside for Gov. Lanes arrival from
the executive mansion. Approx
mately 160 State troopers and 135
Baltimore policemen were on hand
to maintain order.
The Senate chamber, where the
ceremony was to take place, was
packed with Senators and members
Of the House of Delegates. Many
were forced to stand along the walls
and in the rear of the room. The
galleries were crowded with spec
tators, some of whom also were
standing. Huge baskets Of flowers
were on the rostrum.
Daughters Attend.
First to enter were members OF
the Governors family and friends,
led by Mrs. Lane and her two daugh-
ters, Jean and Dorothy. Others in
cluded Mrs. L. T. Byron, Mrs. Lanes
mother; E. Brooke Lee, Montgom-
cry County Democratic leader; Mrs.
lO'Conor, Mrs. John Funk, wife Of
the new secretary of State; Mrs.
James j. Lacy, wife of the new
State controller; Mrs. Hall Ham
mond, wife of the States new attor-
ney general; Mrs. Hooper Miles,
whose husband is State treasurer;
Mrs. John Bower, Hagerstown, a
friend of the Governors family, and
Mrs. A. w. Fitch, wife of the Naval
Academy superintendent. They were
seated m the front of the room.
F A few minutes later, the six judges
of the Maryland Court Of Appeals,
led by Chief Judge Ogle Marbury.
entered and were seated just below
the Senate presidents rostrum.
Gov. Lane, preceded by an escort
of State policemen and Maryland
officials, stepped through the rear
door of the State Capitol. At his
side was Senator O'Conor.
Cheered on Entrance.
The official party moved briskly
through the corridor into the Senate
chamber. The Governor was smiling
broadly and nodding to the right
and left as cheers and applause
greeted his entrance.
Behind him were Mr.. Lacy, Mr..
Hammond and retiring Controller
]. Millard Tawes, candidate for
the Democratic gubernatorial NOM
nation against Mr.. Lane in last
years primary. Others in the group
included Senator Tydings, Democrat,
of Maryland, and former Democratic
Senator Radcliffe, who was defeated
in the primary by the then Gov.
|O'Conor.
Gov. Lane was clad in formal
morning attire. He was seated be-
tween Judge Marbury and Senate
President Joseph r. Byrnes of Balti-
more.
Judge Marbury then administered
the oath of Office as he did last
Friday. The Governor, his right
hand raised, repeated the oath in q
firm voice. .... ...-
At the conclusion Of the ceremony,
he smiled and shook hands with
Senator Byrnes and House Speaker
c.. Ferdinand Sybert Of Howard
County. The crowd In the Senate
chamber burst into loud applause
as the Governor left for the exec
utive offices.
A half hour later, he was escorted
before joint session of the Legisla-
ture in the House chamber, where
he delivered his inaugural address.
Oversight Causes Delay.
This phase of the ceremony, how
ever, was delayed when the new
Governor waited 10 minutes in his
executive chamber while joint
Senate and House committee named
to escort him to the House ap-
parently overlooked its duties.
Finally, Speaker Sybert reminded
the committee of its duties. But it
was too late. The Governor, ap-
parently deciding he had waited long
enough, came down and met the
committee. in the hall outside the
House.
A public address system had been
installed to carry the Governors
talk to the throng unable to get into
the House chamber.
After finishing his talk, the Gov
ernor held an informal reception in
the old Senate chamber, followed
by two-hor open house at the
executive mansion.
MurshuIi Gets Post
HAfsal Clls NhfD>%