Evening star., 1949-03-23
For.Mary|and
RoadsidezoninQ
Substitute Measure
Due to Be Introduced
In Assembly Today.
By }. B. Zotmon
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT


ANNAPOLIS, Mar. ga re-
vlsed version of the controversial
roadside zoning bill, which was
killed last month by the House
Judiciary Committee. is expected
to be introduced today in the
General Assembly.
The substitute measure was
drafted by six Delegates, including
William H. McGrath. Democrat.
of Prince Georges County, in a
move to have some form of road
side Zoning passed by the Assem-
bly, before it adjourns next month.
1t would give the State Roads
Commission zoning authority to a
depth of 100 feet on each side of
new State highways opened to
traffic after June l, provided they
have a traffic count of at least
l 900 vehicles day
The commission would be pro-
hibited from regulating signs ad-
vertising home occupant enter
prises and products"
Endorsed by Committee.
Under the old bill. the commits
sion would have received zoning
authority to a depth of 200 feet on
each side of heavily travelled
roads.
The revised version was in
dorsed yesterday by the Judiciary
Committee.
The committee also approved a
bill extending to radio news COM
mentators the right to withhold
the name of a news source from
court. This privilege is now ac-
corded newspaper representatives.
Meanwhile, the Senate last night
adopted favorable Judiciary
Committee report on a bill to re-
quire the Governor to fill vacan-
cies on the Montgomery County
School Board from recommended
tions of the County Council
There was no debate as the bill
was ordered placed on the final
passage calendar.
Also advanced to the final pas
sage stage were two bills by Sena-
tor Edward D. Storm, Democrat,
of Frederick County. to grant wide
home rule powers to incorporated
towns of seven counties. including
Montgomery, and to eight counties.
Backed by DR.. Ray.
Senator Storm said the first
measure has received the support
of DR.. Joseph M. Ray. University
of Maryland political science ex-
pert and executive secretary of the
Maryland League of Municipal
tiles.
Affected by the legislation, In
addition to Montgomery County
towns. are towns in Carroll. Fred
erick. Garrett, Hartford. Queen
AIMS and Talbot Counties.
Counties which would be given
broad powers to govern themselves
are Montgomery. Frederick. Balti-
more. Carroll. Garrett. Hartford
Queen AIMS and Talbot.
In other actions. the Senate
postponed until tonight decision
on the 100000 veterans bonus bill
The bill was petitioned out OF
the Finance Committee but failed
after IAN hour-long debate. to &c
further. The committee had voted
unfavorably on the measure.
Assails Rich Bankers"
During the debate, witnessed by
hundreds of American Legion
members in the galleries, Senator
Harry T. Phoebus, Republican. of
Somerset County charged rich
bankers were opposing the meas
ure because it might mean higher
taxes.
Senator Robert B: Kimble, Re
publican. of Allegany County,
sponsor of the bill, described as
"motheaten" the arguments by
opponents that the proposal would
bankrupt the State
The Senate sent to the Gov
ernor for signing a bill doubling
the marriage license rate in Elk
ton from 81 to 81. The town
close to the borders of Pennsyl-
vania. Delaware and New Jersey
is widely known in the East as
an elopers' center.
After the regular business ses-
sion, the Senators met behind
closed doors for 40 minutes as they
mapped out a program which
would allow them to adjourn
finally on Saturday. April 1.-TWO
days before the April deadline
of the 90-day session.