Evening star., 1948-05-26
COP. Fight Due
In nAssemb|yfor
Welfare Boost
KimbIe Terms Request
By Lone Inadequate;
To Demand Hearing
BY J. B. Zotmon
Stor steH Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, May rs. - The
special session of the General As
sembly went into its second day
today amid threats by Republican
leaders of a determined fight to OBJ
tain more funds for public welfare.
In his speech last night, Gov.
Lane said s500,000 Is all he intends
to ask for public welfare work at
this session. At the same time, he
creation Of commission
to inquire into all phases of welfare
operations in Marylnad.
No legislative battle is expected
over the governors request for
81, ,101, ,654 for 10 per cent salary in
creases to slow down the turnover
among State employes-his princi-
pal reason for calling the special
Because of the increases and other
projects, he said, the State
probably will have little left by 1851
Of its current $15,000, 900 surplus.
Il am convinced" he declared,
that the State cannot undertake
to participate lin the welfare pro-
gram, as it is requested to do,
without now deciding that additional
taxes must be imposed upon the
people of the State, and that I am
to do"
Need Put at S2,650.757.
The special session last November
voted an additional $500,0O0 for well
fare and that is all the present
session should do, he insisted. The
of Public Welfare has
told the Legislative Council it needs
In emphasizing the need for
salary increases for State employees,
Gov. Lane said:
Thus far, for the 10 months of
this current fiscaD year from July
l, 1947, there has been turnover
of more than $500 in the 1000
classified positions in the State gov
ernment and, based on these figures,
the employment commissioner has
estimated that, unless some steps
are taken. it will reach more than
4 900. or over 66 per cent, by the
years end on June 30.'
To implement the Governors
bills providing for the pay
increases and for $500:O00 for pub
lie welfare were introduced in the
House and Senate.
Kimble to Demand Hearing.
Senator Minority Leader Robert
B. Kimble served notice he will
demand a full public hearing" on
the welfare bill.
II have been informed" he de-
clared, that the Department of
Public Welfare needs at least ST.
100000 to prevent the cutting OF
welfare grants. In view of this in
formation, 1 believe the s500,00O
proposed by Gov. Lane is totally in
-...s
Meanwhile, Delegate Bernard
Carrick, Democrat, of Baltimore,
a bill which would sus-
pend collection of funds under the
sales tax when receipts total $685.
SOC, 900.
When the levy was passed at the
1947 regular session, it was esti-
mated the tax would raise approxi-
mately $1S 100000 annually or $780,
S00, 900 for the two-year period end
ing June 80, 1949.
H~yL =
Describing the tax as "inequit-
able" Mr.. Carrick said in his bill
that suspension of the levy would
provide about eight months before
the 1949 session during which a
substitute tax program could be dis
cussed."
An expected flood of bills to legal
ize bingo games and other forms of
gambling turned out to be a mere
trickle when the Assembly con-
vened.
Only five measures came in deal
ing with gambling. They included
one to allow various charitable or
CARNATIONS to hold benefit bingo
games and raffies in Baltimore and
another to do the same thing in
Howard county.
The latter had referendum pro-
vision.
Eighty-three bills and four resolu-
tions were printed and brought
down to the State House, but one to
raise the pay of State policemen
was yanked before it reached the
hopper.
Senator Carter, Democrat, OF
Baltimore introduced a resolution
calling for stricter laws against
"subversive activities" specifically
calling attention to world Com
munist movement" n
The Legislature quickly organized
amid a general understanding that
it would bypass one of its potential
hot potatoes-a ripper" bill tc
abolish the Tidewater Fisheries
Commission which has been expe-
riencing internal dissention fol
months.
Instead. the general opinion was
that an investigation would be or.
dered into whatever has caused the
dissension.
Other Bills Listed.
Other measures would authorize
the State to issue certificates OF
Indebtedness for s560,000 for al.
mories at Prince Frederick, Leon.
ardtown, Oakland and Ellicott City
Allow the Board of Regents of the
University of Maryland to lease OF
otherwise contract for the us OF
the wind tunnel at College Park tt
the Federal Government, Glenn l.
Martin Co. or any other corporation
Allow State income taxpayers tc
use the short form for returns il
their income is $4,000 or less, in
stead Of 5000 as at present; to Sc,
up a schedule of payments up te
$4,000 income based on a 25 pei
cent tax rate which will be effective
for payments made in 1949.
Appropriate $25. 200 for special
session expenses.
lE..:>s> ILL H.l Hlx