Evening star., 1949-03-03
State Tax Fund
Earmarkiingin in
County Sought
Hyde Drafting Bill
To Boost Bethesda,
Silver Spring Share
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor Stoff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 3.-A bill to
provide a greater share OF State
tax funds to the Silver Spring and
Bethesda areas is being drafted
BY Delegate De Witt S. Hyde. Re-
publican, of Montgomery County.
The measure would require that
q percentage of income, gasoline
and admission taxes, license fees
and racing revenues be earmarked
for the two communities.
Meanwhile, a bill to raise Mont
gomery County's bonded indebted
ness limit from 7 to 10 per cent
moved a step nearer final passage
with the adoption in the House
of a favorable Ways
and Means Committee report.
County officials said last month
the measure would permit them
to issue about $11 100000 in addi-
tional bonds as a result of the
Jump in the county's assessable
base.
The committee also voted IA
vorably on a bill to require the
University of Maryland to submit
detailed budget requests. Past
have dealt with uni
versity appropriations on the basis
of lump sum requests.
Says Pledge Isn't Enough.
DR.. H. C. Byrd. university presi-
dent. in opposing the bill at a
hearing two weeks ago promised
to make available a detailed
breakdown of the institutions
budgets in the future.
Shortly before the committee
action, Delegate Horace P. Whit
worth. ir.. Republican. of Allegany
County, sponsor of the measure,
told the group he believed DR..
Byrd would keep his promise, but
he insisted that itemized budgets
should be a matter of law. not
just a spoken pledge"
According to Mr.. Hyde, there
has been considerable criticism of
the present system of distribution
Of State funds to counties, incor-
porated towns and special taxing
areas on the basis of the Sherbow
laws.
He said residents of Silver
Spring and Bethesda complain
they do not get their proportionate
share Of the funds, although they
pay the bulk of State taxes in the
county.
Under his bill. thirds of the
revenue returned to the county by
the State would be set aside by
the County Council for use in
equal shares in Silver Spring and
Bethesda.
Each Would Get S156,0OO.
At present, he explained, one
fourth of the State income tax
proceeds returned to the county
must be spent in each of the two
communities.
He estimated that approximate
ly $156,000 would be allocated to
each of the two areas under his
bill. This compares with an esti-
mated $140,800 to Silver Spring
and $124,200 to Bethesda if they
came under the Sherbow laws, he
added. on the basis of figures sub
mitted to him by County Con-
troller Alexander K. Hancock.
Mr.. Hyde emphasized however,
that his proposal may be uncon-
Stitutional, since it may be neces-
sary to draft separate bills for
each tax. He said he would con-
suit with the attorney generals
Office on the question.
The Senate yesterday approved
and sent to the Governor bill re-
quiring the State Roads Commits
sion to build a toll bridge across
the Patuxent River between Bene-
dict in Charles County and Hal
lowing Point in Calvert County.
The measure authorizes the
commission to issue $2,500,000 in
bonds for the project.
Chevy Chase Bill Submitted.
Among new Senate bills were
two by Senator Wilbur r. Dulin.
Democrat, of Anne Arundel Coun-
ty. They provide for appointment
of special county policemen to en-
force the law at beach resorts
and other public places and would
eliminate a provision in the local
law setting a maximum of $2,500
year for the salaries of county
assessors.
In the House. Delegate Ben
Weintraub. Democrat, of Balti-
more, presented a bill to exempt
lunches served in public and pri-
vate schools from the sales tax.
Montgomery Delegate R. Dun
can Clark, Republican, submitted
bill to incorporate Section 4,
Chevy Chase. Other bills would:
Allow gill-net fishing in the
Charles County area of the Poto-
mac River during October, No
vember and December; require
race tracks to turn over to the
State school incentive fund each
year an amount representing win
ming pari-mutuel tickets not re-
deemed before the three-year
deadline: reduce the maximum
truck weight limit on State high
ways from 22,400 to $4,000 pounds,
and create a Maryland civil de-
fense agency to coordinate rescue
efforts in emergencies.
Study Lobbing Probe Plea.
Earlier, the House Grand In
quest Committee held a closed
meeting to study a resolution by
Delegate William F. Stronger,
Democrat, of Anne Arundel
County, calling for an investiga-
tion of lobbyists.
Legislative officials here said it
was the first meeting held by the
committee in 10 years.
Mr.. Stronger charged in his
resolution that laws regulating