Evening star., 1949-01-02
legis|atorsDue
ToStart Session
In Maryland
Leadership Row Seen
Before Opening of
Assembly Wednesday
BY Whitney Shoemaker
Asxeejoted Presx Stoff wr;t.r


General Assembly will convene in
the refurbished State House We'd
nesday amid indications of a politi-
cal skirmish even before the speak
er's gavel calls the session to order.
Observers predict two major con-
troversies before the 90-day meet
In adjourns: Over a new formula
for representation in the House of
Delegates and an administration
proposal to buy the O'Sullivan Build
ing for State Offices in Baltimore.
Legislative veterans add that it's
certain that otehr legislation will
cause explosions. Welfare appropria-
tions, tidewater fisheries reorganiza-
ton and Bayside Park development
are among the other controversial
subjects.
Caucus May Start Fireworks.
The fireworks may start with the
Democratic caucus set for 2 pm,
six hours before Gov. Lane delivers
his message of welcome. At issue
would be the majority floor leader
ship Of the house.
The chairman of the senate COM
mittee on finance and of the house
ways and means committee auto
matically became floor leaders of
their respective chambers. While
these appointments are not made
until few days after convening,
there are prospects of caucus dis
cussion over the house appointment
at the Democratic caucus
Delegate Leroy Humphrey, Demo-
crat, of Prince Georges, was elected
to the post after some contention
in 1947. Along with other assembly
officers, he must stand for reelection
to serve through the coming three
months.
Several lawmakers highly placed
in the assembly said Delegate John
C. Luber, Democrat, of Baltimore,
has sights trained for another shot
at the leadership. Mr. Luber piloted
administration measures through
the House in the same role during
the l945 session. He was unseated
last time, associates say, principally
because he backed former Controller
j. Millard Tawes in the 1946 primary
when Mr.. Lane was nominated for
Governor.
Sybert Due for Reelection.
House Speaker C. Ferdinand Sy-
bert. on the other hand, appears
certain of reelection. So does Sen
ate President Joseph r. Byrnes.
Both claim wide support. Senator
L. Harold Sothoron, Senate ma ajority
floor leader. also seems unchal-
lenged.
A race is on, however, for chair
manship of the powerful Senate
Judiciary Committee The position
was vacated when former Senator
william P. Bolton, Democrat, of
Baltimore County. was elected to
Congress from Marylands End dis
trict.
Senator George w. Della, Demo-
crat, Of Baltimore, is senior member
of the committee and figures most
prominently in speculation over q
successor to Mr.. Bolton.
Seniority was overlooked in 1943,
however, when Mr. Byrnes was
named judiciary chairman in his
first term, and again two years ago
when Mr. Bolton was the choice.
Turnbull, StrOmberg Pushed.
Despite sentiment for Mr.. Della,
Senators report movements on foot
for John Grason Turnbull, Balti-
more County States attorney who
was appointed last week to complete
, Mr., Bottoms Senate term, and SEN
ator P. G. Stromberg, Democrat, of
Howard County.
Against Mr.. Turnbull, observers
point out is his lack of committee
experience, while against Mr.. Strom-
berg is the fact he was not a judi
ciary member last session.
On the minority side, Republicans
show no signs of changing their
present organization.
This would mean another term as
minority leaders for Senator Rob-
ert B. Kimble, Republican, of Allie
gany County, and Delegate Jacob
r. Ramsburg, Republican, of Fred
erick County.
Beckwith Challenged.
The House will be asked to de-
eide whether one of its members
should continue to serve or be re-
placed.
The Democratic State Central
Committee of Baltimore County yes
terday asked Gov. Lane to name
new legislator to replace Delegate
Paul NJ Beckwith.
The committee challenged Mr..
Beckwith's right to represent Balti-
more County on the ground he is
now residing in Carroll County.
Under terms of the State consti-
tuition, Gov Lane turned the resolu-
ton over to House Speaker Sybert.
The constitution provides that each
house of the General Assembly
shall be the judge of the qualifica-
4iNv,e of - ~>o1,>aLa,.. ,