Evening star., 1949-01-12
Legislators Plan
New Bi.State
Fishery Group
Maryland Bill Would
Separate River, Boy
Oyster Problems
BY J. B. Zotmon
Stor Sioff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS. Jan. 12.-Legislation
establishing new bi-State Potomac
River Fisheries Commission in an
attempt to solve the knotty oyster
conservation problem will be drafted
by Senators from four Maryland
TideWater counties.
The move was announced yester-
day by Senator James B. Monroe,
Republican, of Charles County after
q conference with Robert A. Norris,
president pro tenn. of the Virginia
Senate, and Virginia Delegates w.
Tayloe Murphy and Charles r.
Unruh.
Also attending the meeting in
the Statehouse were Senators Louis
L. Goldstein, Democrat, of Calvert
County, Paul j. Bailey Of st. Marys
County and Harry NJ Phoebus of
Somerset County, Republicans.
Seek End of Dispute.
Aim of the proposed measure, &C
cording to Senator Monroe, is to
separate Potomac River conserva-
ton problems from those of Chesa-
peake Bay and to bring peace in the!
perennial Potomac oyster war"
The new group. which would re-
place the present bi-State Chesa-
peake-Potomac Study Commission
would consists of three members
one to be appointed by the Governor
of Maryland, one by the Governor
of Virginia and the third to be
named by both Governors.
1t would have authority to open
or close oyster bars on the Potomac,
make conservation regulations and
limit the daily oyster haul.
Gov. Lane said today he plans to
deliver special message to the Gen.
eral Assembly on Chesapeake Bay
problems in month or So"
After further study of reports on
what to do about Maryland's declin-
ing seafood resources, Gov. Lane
will present administration ideas on
the situation.
Shortly after the conference end
ed, two Eastern Shore delegates
introduced bill in the House per-
mitting use of diversified oyster
dredge boats in some sections of
Chesapeake Bay.
Other Bills Introduced.
Another bill dropped in the House
hopper by ]. Raymond Burlington,
jr., Democrat, of the Sd Baltimore
district, would permit Marylanders
to deduct their Federal income tax
payments in filing State income tax
returns. Mr.. Burlington was unable
to estimate the loss in State rev.
enue if the bill becomes law.
In the Senate, Edward D. Storm,
Democrat of Frederick County, in
troduced seven bills, one of which
would increase the number OF
scholarships to Princess Anne Col
lege, Negro branch of the University
of Maryland, from one to three
from each county and Baltimore
legislative district.
Five other measures would repeal
obsolete Frederick County local
laws dealing with bailiffs' salaries,
sale OF liquor to almhouSe inmates,
drunkenness and disorderly conduct
In or near the town of Liberty, ap-
pointment Of road superintendents
and liens on stations.
The seventh bill provides that the
State insurance commissioner be
permitted to accept checks or cash
deposits in lieu of surety bonds IN
granting special permits for fire.
works displays.
Mental Institutions.
Republican leaders in both houses
touched off a short discussion for
the second time in two days on con-
ditions in State mental institutions.
In urging that action be taken to
correct the "deplorable" situation,
the minority party spokesmen said
they would present their own pro-
gram unless Gov. Lane recommends
adequate" legislation.
Among other new measures were
those to:
Strike out a provision in the law
requiring at least two years expert
ence in the real estate business be-
fore a person may obtain a real
estate brokers' license.
Exempt DR.. Horace E. Flack, head
of the Bureau Of Legislative Ref
erence, from a provision that State
employees must retire when they
reach 10. AS chief of the depart
ment, he Is the General Assembly's
right-hand man and is at retirement
age.