The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1949-12-22
ASSEMBLY PASSES
FOUR BILLS
URGED BY LANE

In special session, the Legislature
last Saturday passed Governor Lane
four-point program, including the
100000 emergency welfare appropri-
alton.
Other bills passed were the $780,
100000 school bond BILL the $3.50, 900
bond bill for the Maryland School for
the Blind, and the search and seizure
law amendment.
The session was called primarily
to re-pass the school construction loan
law, which had been invalidated by
the Court of Appeals because of a
technical error attending its passage
during the regular 1949 session of the
General Assembly.
The new version sailed through
both houses with little discussion.
Two Garrett county delegates, R. E.
McIntire and George Coddington,
voted against it because they said it
would give the Garrett Commission
crs power to borrow money the coun-
ty could not afford to pay back. They
voted against the bill after they had
attempted to tack on an amendment
eXempting Garrett county from pro-
visions of the bill.
Two Loan Bills Explained
The $50 million loan bill re-enacted
is not to be confused with another
$50 million aid bill which also was
passed at the last regular legislative
session. Garrett county is participant
ing in the $50 million bill and is
slated to receive $282,3O to help in
school construction.
This was explained by Senator
Neil C. Fraley as an outright grant
to the county for school construction
purposes. The state will levy on the
real estate tax to repay this loan of
$40 million, regardless of whether or
not Garrett county participates, he
said. Garrett county taxpayers would
soon be called on to pay this tax.
Garrett county is not participating
in the $50 million loan fund, accord
ing to Mr.. Fraley. He said this bill
was passed particularly to aid the
counties around Washington where
population increases have been very
great and where school buildings are
desperately needed. He explained that
these counties have borrowed as
much as is advisable, and that any
further loans issued by them would
be sold on the open market at a high
rate of interest.
The $50 million aid bill makes it
possible for the state to borrow at a
low rate of interest, thereby passing
on the low interest rate to the coun-
ties.
Relief Bill on Matching Basis
The second administration bill, the
one taking 100000 from the state
surplus as an emergency welfare
grant, had harder time winning
legislative approval. On the decisive
vote it squeaked through the house
with just three more than the neces-
sary majority.
The act specifies that the various
subdivisions must match the grant
dollar for dollar. The fund will be
used for temporary aid to the unem-
pIoyed who have exhausted all then
resources.
So that the money may be expended
the State Department of Welfare has
for the first time, changed its rules
SO that "employables" may be added
to its welfare rolls. Director j. Mil
ton Patterson of the Welfare depart
ment indicated most of the money
would be used in Western Maryland
and Baltimore where the greatest
portion of the estimated $4,000 Mary
landers who are out Of Jobs and have
exhausted their unemployment benc-
fits live.
Allegany county's share of the
fund will be 100000. No word has
been received here of Garrett county's
share The County Commissioners
are not scheduled to meet until Jan.
uary 8, and whether or not they
would arrange to borrow an equivalent
of the county's share in order to par.
ticipate in the program, could not be
learned. Mr. Fraley said he did not
know of any special meeting being
nIaupcJ on fbi,. f,,,octio,,
Cen DMipht Eisenhower declarcl