Evening star., 1949-02-05
Assembly
Bill for Repeal
0fLindsayL
Resolution Limiting
Presidential Term to
Be Offered Monday
By J. B. Zotmon
ster sfa4 Correspondent

troversial Lindsay Law repeater tt
permit nonpartisan election of 8
county council in charter counties
again is before the General AS.
sembly.
Introduced yesterday in the House
it is the first major bill desired by
Montgomery's new County Council
to be sponsored by the county Re-
publican legislative delegation at
the present session.
The delegation also will seek rati-
fication by the General Assembly OF
Congressional resolution limiting
Presidents to two terms. The reso.
luton will be introduced here Mon.
day.
The proposal was adopted by Con-
gress in 1947 and provides for a
constitutional amendment to be
ratified by at least three-fourths OF
the State Legislatures. More rnan
20 States already have voted to
ratify.
Tax Bill Is Signed.
Meanwhile, Gov. Lane signed the
bill keeping the rate on personal
income at 2 per cent, thus rescind-
Ing. legislative action at the l947
session under which the rate would
have gone up to, 2lz per cent on
1948 income.
At the same time, Senator Edward
D. Storm, Democrat, of Frederick
County. introduced a bill to amepe
the Maryland constitution to per.
init a graduated income tax. Il
would be voted on at the 1850 gen.
eral election. A similar measure
was defeated in a referendum II
1888.
Senator Storm has previously
sponsored a bill to reduce the
per cent tax on investment income
to per cent on the first $1,000.
The bill to repeal the Lindsay Law
was referred to the Elections Com.
mittee, most of whose members are
Democrats and are expected to take
dim view of the proposal.
Similar legislation was defeated
at the l947 session, largely as 8
result of pressure by county Demo.
cratic leaders, who contended II
would destroy the two-party system
Moot Question, Says Lane
At a press conference. Gov. Lane
was asked his opinion of the meas.
ure. He replied:
That is moot question. Aftel
all, the county already has adopted
a charter form of government.
Montgomery Delegate Dewitt S
Hyde said the Governor apparently
meant there is no issue over the
question.
In any event, the bill is expected
to cause a hot fight on the floor
since Montgomery Democratic lead.
ers have given no indication thes
will reverse their stand of two years
ago.
Supporters Of the repeater claim
the present law prevents Govern
ment employees living in the country
from actively participating in coun-
Gil elections or running for Office on
the county's new governing body
The Governor also was asked his
attitude on another Montgomery bill
providing for nonpartisan election OF
the county School Board. Members
now are appointed by the Governor
Will Consult School Chief.
Such a proposal, according to the
Governor, should be approached on
Statewide basis. He added he
planned to consult with DR.. Thomas
G. Pullen, jr., State superintendent
Of schools.
With legislative sessions on the
routine side yesterday, principal in
terest centered on House Ways and
Means Committee hearing on a bill
to exempt household fuels from the
sales tax.
Strong opposition to the proposal
sponsored by Delegate Albert l.
Sklar, Democrat, of Baltimore. was
voiced by Edward F. Englebert, as
sistant director of the sales tax
division of the controllers Office.
If you take the sales tax of
necessities" he told the committee
you just won't have any sales tax
left"
The measure would cut about
81 100000 year from sales tax rev.
enue, Mr.. Englebert said.
Mr.. Sklar later disputed this fig.
ure. He said his estimates put the
probable revenue loss at $500, 900.
This is bill for the benefit Of
low-income groups" he declared
land is most urgently needed"
Prince Georges Bills Passed.
Among bills passed by the House
were five dealing with Prince
Georges County. They would:
Authorize the Mayor and Council
of Laurel to borrow up to 100000
for street improvements: enable
District Heights officials to levy g
10-cent tax for street lights; in
crease the salary of the stenographel
to the States attorney from $4,000
to s2,5O0 year; limit the right Of
redemption in property foreclosures
to two years, and increase from
$42 900 to $47,600 the county allot.
ment to volunteer fire departments
and rescue squads.
Also receiving House approval was
bill sponsored by Mrs. Leona M
Rush Of Montgomery County tt
legitimize children of persons whose
marriage has been annulled.
The House received a bill from
Delegate Joseph A. Mattingly, Dem
ocrat, of st. Marys County provld'
ing for annual elections OF the Leon
ardtown commissioners.
Divorce Bill Offered.
Another bill, introduced by Dele
gate William H. McGrath, Demo
crat, of Prince Georges County
would authorize courts to make par
tial divorces absolute when thu
separation of the parties involved
has continued at least 18 months.
Mr.. Sklar submitted a bill tt
change the date when merchant!
must make sales tax returns for
given month from the 18th day tx