Evening star., 1949-12-16
School Measure
ToBe Offered 10
.4!s
AidMontgonnery
Harmonious Session
Threatened by PIeo
To Shift Tax Office
By J. B. Zotmon

bond program will be sponsored by
the county delegation at tomor-
rows special session of the Cen
eraf Assembly In Annapolis.
The administrations hopes for
q harmonious session were weak
ened, meanwhile, by news that a
bill is being prepared providing
for the return of the State income
tax Office from Baltimore to
Annapolis.
The measure, to be sponsored
by the Anne Arundel County dele
CATION, is almost certain to be op-
posed strongly by Baltimore
Delegates and Senators. ,
: Oil Tank Base Opposed.
At the same time, st. Mary's
County Delegate Joseph A. Mat
tingly, Democrat. said he may
introduce bill which would block
installation of an oil tank base
at Piney Point.
Mr.. Mattingly said he will con-
fer with Attorney General Hall
Hammond and will bring the issue
before the legislature If Mr.. Ham
mond decides that spch a move is
advisable.
The special session was called
originally for the sole purpose OF
re.enacting the $50, ,000. 900 school
bond loan bill which was invali-
dated by the Court Of Appeals
because of a technical error. The
measure would permit counties to
use State credit In borrowing
! funds for school construction.
Debt Limit Cited.
Anders r. Lofstrand, chairman
of the Montgomery delegation
said the county's bond attorneys
had expressed fear that any bor-
rowing under the State program
would bring the county over its
10 per cent bonded debt limita-
ton.
Under a bill passed at the last
session of the General Assembly
the county's debt limitation was
raised from 7 to 10 per cent OF
Its assessable base.
The delegations bill would ex-
empt from this limitation all self
Iquidating bonds, such as those
issued for acquisition Of public
parking lots in Silver Spring and
those to be paid of by front-foot
benefit charges. as well as all
Short-term obligations. including
tax anticipation notes.
Mr.. Lofstrand said administra-
ton leaders have assured him the
legislation will be considered at
the special session and not be
buried in committee.
The bill affecting the State in
come tax Office is expected to re-
ceive bipartisan support since
Senator Stanford Hof. Republi-
can. Of Carroll County has prom
ised to back 1t. Senator Hon is
State chairman Of the Republican
Party.
Some legislators said the fight
could lead to party divisions that
could carry over into next years
primary.
Division Recently Moved.
State Controller James j. Lacy
recently moved the income tax
division to Baltimore as part OF
his plan to consolidate various Of
fees in one building with a view
to cutting down expenses and in.
creasing efficiency.
Annapolis and Anne Arundel
County officials denounced the
move and took the case to Circuit
Court. Mr.. Lacy was upheld. An
appeal is pending before the Court
Of Appeals.
Mr.. Stronger contends that
Annapolis economy is seriously
hurt" by the shift of the 1873 in
come tax division employees to
Baltimore.
Mr.. Mattingly, in announcing
his intention to block the oil tank
base installation, said legislative
action appears to be the only hope
OF opponents for halting the ST.
100000 project.
Approved by Army Engineers.
The Army Engineers Office
last Saturday approved the prof.
ect and granted a permit to the
L. P. Steuart g. Bro, Inc, OF
Washington, to build a 1,100-foot
wharf into the Potomac River.
Strong opposition has been ex-
pressed. BY Gov. Lane, the State
Tidewater Fisheries Commission
and pollution officials as well al
property owners and watermer
in the area. The county commits
sioners, however, approved the
project by a split vote.
Residents of the section claim
that waste oil would ruin bathing
beaches, lower property values
and destroy marine life. Water.
men contend the pier would create
navigation hazards for small craft
The company said there will be
no oil waste because no oil re-
fining activities will be carried
On there. ..
Bill Planned Against Snakes"
Another item of business thai
may be considered by the Genera
Assembly is legislation to abolish
Snakes"
Ia snake" is a bill which starts
dut to be one thing and ends ur
dealing with an entirely different
subject. This is done by striking
dut everything after the words "a
Hill" and substituting another
proposal.
The Legislative Council has
recommended adoption of a. rule
9hich says that striking out the
whole body OF a bill cannot be
done and that any motion to sus-
nend the rule must state the rea-
dpn for the proposed suspension.
ottle to Aid Safety PurIey