Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-07
Bills Offered
In Maryland
For TaxCuts
Higher Debt Ceiling
In Prince Georges
Districts Asked
By J. B. Zotmon
Stnr Stnff cerza.a..l..A

S'St S'e'' >St'SsSSHocHI
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. with ma
jor committee appointments out of
the way, the General Assembly is
In recess preparatory to beginning
the task of processing legislation
when the members reconvene Mon
day night.
A total of 148 bills were intro
duced in the House and Senate
yesterday. Most of them were
sponsored by the Legislative Coun-
Gil.
One of the few local measures,
submitted in the House by the
Prince Georges County delegation,
would raise the debt ceiling on
special improvement districts from
100000 to s1,2oo,0Oo.
Three bills dealing with State in
come tax reductions also were
dropped in the House hopper. One,
sponsored by Delegate Albert L.
Sklar, Democrat, of Baltimore,
would retain the per cent levy on
earned income.
Rise This Year Scheduled.
Under a law passed at the 1947.
session, the tax was scheduled toi
go up to 2le per cent this year on
1948 income.
Two other bills, introduced by Del
egate Charles M. Bandiere. Demo-
crat, OF Baltimore, would reduce the
tax on investment income from S to
3 per cent and would increase ex-
emptions for dependents.
Under the bill the exemption
would be raised from s4OO to $500
for one dependent, $3.50 each for
two dependents and $500 each for
three or more dependents.
Mr.. Sklar's proposal is expected
70 meet little opposition since Gov.
Lane has previously recommended
such move in view of the S20,O0O,-
600 surplus in the States general
fund.
Another bill would amend the
motor vehicles law to permit Mont
gomery County to regulate taxicabs.
The present county taxicab ordi-
nance has been ruled unconstitu-
tional by the Circuit Court.
Sothoron Floor Leader.
The Senate completed its organ
izarion IN short order yesterday,
with L. Harold Sothoron, Democrat,
OF Prince Georges County reap
pointed chairman of the Finance
Committee. This carries with it
the majority floor leadership, post
held by Senator Sothoron in the
1947 session
Proceedings In the House, how
ever, were held up more than two
hours when leaders found it diff
cult to agree on the makeup of the
Ways and Means and Judiciary
Committees. The chairman Of the
ways and means group automat-
ically becomes majority floor leader.
Finally, after lengthy confer
ence with Gov. Lane, Speaker c.
Ferdinand Sybert, Democrat, of
Howard County announced to the
tired delegates that Leroy Pumph-
rey, Democrat, of Prince Georges
County would retain the Ways and
Means Committee Craftsmanship
and the floor leadership.
His opponent for the post, Jerome
Robinson, Democrat, of Baltimore,
was named vice chairman. Other
committee members include R. Dun
can Clark, Republican, of Mont
gomery County; Jacob R. Rams
burg, Republican, and William E.
Hauver, Democrat, of Frederick
County and Clarence E. Tyler,
Democrat, Of Anne Arundel County.
Bernard S. Melnicove, Democrat,
OF Baltimore, who had waged
strong fight to retain the chairman
ship of the Judiciary Committee,
was reappointed to that post.
Committee Members.
Included on the committee are
William H. McGrath, Democrat, of
Prince Georges County, vice chair
man; Dewitt S. Hyde, Republican,
Of Montgomery County; Richard E.
Landlord, Democrat, of Anne Arun-
del County, and c. Clifton Virts,
Democrat, of Frederick County.
'|I4AO4 NIA114444GICC WILL
he announced Monday.
In the Senate, Mr.. Sothoron also
was named chairman of the Inter-
Governmental Cooperation Commit
tee and was appointed to the Rules,
Constitutional Amendments and
Fish and Game Committees Other
committee appointments included:
Sanotnr Dow TocnN
lican, Of Montgomery County, Con-
stitutional Amendments, Education,
Federal Relations, Judicial Proceed
ings, Militia, Natural Resources and
Public Buildings.
Senator Louis Goldstein, Demo-
crat, of st. Marys County, chairman
of the Chesapeake Bay and Tribu-
taries, Entertainment and Executive
Nominations Committees, and
member of the Elections, Aviation,
Finance, Insurance and Loans, Nat
ural Resources, Roads and Highways
and Militia Committees.
Senator James B. Monroe, Repub-
lican, of Charles County, agricul-
ture, Chesapeake Bay and tribu-
taries, entertainment, finance,
printed bills and temperance.
Senator BaiIey's Assignments.
Senator Paul j. Bailey, Republic
can, of st. Marys County, agricul-
ture, Chesapeake Bay and tribu-
taries, executive nominations,
finance and militia.
Senator Wilbur r. Dulin, Demo-
crat, Of Anne Arundel County,
member Of the Chesapeake Bay and
tributaries, Federal relations, finance,
fish and game and printed bills
committees.
Senator Edward D. Storm, Demo-
crat, Of Frederick County, chair