Evening star., 1949-02-08
Legislators Ban
Referendum on
Parking Meters
HyottsviIIe Issue Left
To Election in May;
Tokomo Hearing Set
By J. B. Zotmon
Stcr StoH CORRESPONDENT

areas near Washington last night
rejected a parking meter referen-
dunn for Hyattsville; received three
new bills affecting Mount Rainier
and were scheduled to hold hear
ings tonight on four measures re-
lating to Takoma Park.
The State Senate, meanwhile
advanced a step nearer passage
the controversial bill to amend
the Bouse Act to permit in evil
dence concealed weapons found in
an otherwise illegal search. After
a three hour debate. the Senate
approved a favorable Judiciary
Committee report. 18 to IL.
The Prince Georges County
legislative delegation decided to
reject the proposal by Hyattsville
merchants for a referendum on
parking meters in that city.
Could Be Decided at Election. (
A hearing on the request was
held last week, at which Hervey j.
Machen, attorney for the group,
claimed the meters have hurt our
business" They have been in op-
Grafton since october.
The delegation pointed out the
city Councils option to purchase
the meters expires in August and
the question could be decided at
the municipalities election in May
In addition, the delegation
claimed that since the town exer-
cised 'sgal authority in approving
installation of the meters. any ac-
ton by the Legislature to elimi-
nate that authority would be i'm
proper"
Mount Rainier Measures.
Officials of Mount Rainier pre-
sented three proposed bills to the
delegation. They would:
/. Permit the town to levy an
additional fire tax. not to exceed 5
cents per $100. for period OF up
to five years for a new flrehouse
The present fire tax is 10 cents.
2. Increase the Mayors salary
from 5000 to $1,000 a year and
the salaries of the councilmen
from $l25 to $500 each a year.
8. Authorize the town to extend
its boundaries to take in all of the
Queenstown apartment project
About 40 apartment units are af-
fected.
A joint hearing by the Mont
gomery and Prince Georges dele
cations on four bills affecting
Takoma Park will be held at 8
o'clock tonight in the Capitol. The
bills would:
Eliminate tax discounts, repeal
an obsolete local law dealing with
assessments, require the use OF
voting machines in town elections
and require the boards of election
supervisors in the two counties
to certify lists of eligible voters in
the municipality.
Five Counties Exempted.
Senator's from five counties
Calvert, Frederick, st. Marys, Tai
bot and Allegany-succeeded in
having their areas exempted from
the bill to amend the Bouse Act.
Before debate began. Senator
Robert B. Kimble, Republican, of
Allegany County, introduced his
long-awaited veterans bonus bill
It provides for a $1.000.000 bond
issue with payments ranging from
$40 to $500, depending on length
of service. The measure would be
subject to a referendum at the
1850 general election.
The loan would be paid off by
sales tax receipts. backed up by
an increase in the State real es-
tate levy, if necessary.
Debate on the Bouse Act amend
ment was touched off by Senator
Henry H. Balch, Democrat, OF
Talbot County.
Called Unconstitutional.
During 45-minute burst of
oratory Senator Balch read from
the writings of Anatole France,
the Supreme Court, the United
States Constitution and decisions
of Maryland judges in urging his
colleagues to vote against the COM
mittee report.
Supporters of the proposal. led
by Committee Chairman Della,
insisted, however, that the pres
ent law, which was amended in
1947 to permit "frisking" in Balti-
more County, prevents efficient
law enforcement.
Senator Della, Democrat, of
Baltimore City. accused Senator
Balch of trying to protect hood
lums."
He was joined by Senator Roy
Tasco Davis, Republican, of Mont
gomery, who said he had no OBJ
lection to being "frisked." searched
for weapons, as long as it prevents
crime.
County Rights Defended.
After the committee report was
adopted, attempts by Senators to
exempt their counties brought on
a renewal of the fight.
An appeal by Senator P. G.
Stromberg, Democrat, of Howard
County, to permit the bill to 81
through on a Statewide basis
brought a heated rejoinder from
Senator Louis L. Goldstein, Demo
crat, of Calvert County.
81 believe in States rights, but
I also believe in county rights and
I'm going to fight for them"
He was supported by Senator
L. Harold Sothoron, Democrat, Of
Prince Georges County, who point
ed out it has been a "time-h
ored" custom in the Senate to
permit counties to exempt them
selves from provisions of any bill
Bond to Honor Scouts
The Army Band, under the di.
racfiop of ASSiSfant Leader TT