Evening star., 1949-01-19
More Local Rule
ToBeSoughtby
Maryland Bill
Assembly May Get
Proposal by Storm
Early Next Week
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor Sfoff Correspondsnt

EorIy Next week
By J. B. Zotmon
ster stoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 19.-Legisla-
ton to give Maryland towns greater
home rule is being drafted by Sen
ator Edward D. Storm, Democrat, of
Frederick County for introduction
IN the General Assembly early next
week.
His move came as the Legisla-
ture settled down to the task of
considering the more than 200 bills,
many of which are local in nature,
introduced since the General As
sembly convened January S.
The legislators work will be in
tensified after Gov. Lane delivers
his budget message Tuesday night.
1t will be the first one-year budget
in the States history, under a con-
stitutional amendment adopted last
November providing for annual ses-
sionS.
Heretofore. budgets have been
adopted on a biennial basis because
the General Assembly met only
once every two years.
Debt Ceiling Raised.
The Governor yesterday signed
the first bill approved by both
Houses. The measure, sponsored
by the Prince Georges County deler
CATION, increases the debt ceiling OF
special improvement districts from
100000 to S1,2OO,OO0. 1t becomes
effective Immediately.
A joint resolution calling for spe-
cial ceremonies February % to
honor the founders of the republics
of the Western Hemisphere today
had the approval of both Houses.
Sponsored by Senator Roy Tasco
Davis, Republican, of Montgomery
County. it passed the Senate last
week and was pushed through the
House yesterday, under suspen-
sion of the rules.
Senator Storm expressed conf
dence that his proposed bill. while
confined to Frederick County in its
present form, could include towns
in other counties which desire to
participate in its provisions.
It would give town officials author
fly to pass all ordinances not con-
trary to State law. For example, the
municipalities could spend funds for
any purpose believed necessary for
safety, health, trade, commerce, rec
,Yyn1forA
Could Issue Bonds.
They could issue bonds up to 7
per cent of their assessable base,
provided the bonds sold in any one
year would not exceed per cent Of
the assessable base of the particular
town; establish fire departments,
appoint health officers, set up a
police force, fix the salaries of all
municipal employees, with the ex-
ception of members OF their own
governing bodies; build sewers, side
walks and street lights and have
full zoning powers.
In addition, the proposed measure
prescribes uniform election pro-
cedures for all towns and sets up a
model town charter.
Senator Storm said his bill would
relieve the General Assembly OF
unnecessary work, yet enable it to-
retain authority in Statewide
matters He recalled about LOO
bills, more than half involving local
matters.
"A small town should be permit
ted to decide whether it needs a
police department or has to issue
bonds without having to come to
ANNAPOLIS. The State should retain
only a few necessary restrictions on
such matters as taxation" he de-
clared.
Candidates Would Increase.
Another result of his bill, the
Senator said, would be an increase
in the number of candidates for
Office in smaller communities. Re-
strictions on the powers OF small
town mayors and councils, he ex-
planned, make many citizens reluc-
tant to run for office.
He is working on similar bill
giving greater freedom to counties,
he said, but would not reveal details
pending it's completion.
Meanwhile the Senate yesterday
received two bills sponsored by
Senator Storm One would prohibit
members of the Frederick County
Board of Education from serving
two consecutive terms. The other
would repeal local law dealing with
the pay of the States attorney for
cases removed to another county.
Senator Louis L. Goldstein, Demo-
crat, of Calvert County submitted
bills to increase the membership of
the State Roads Commission from
three to five and to distribute half
the proceeds of the per cent motor
vehicle title tax to the counties and
Baltimore.
Among bills introduced in the
House was one proposing a con-
stitutional amendment to prohibit
Maryland juries from interpreting
the law in criminal cases.
Submitted by Delegates William S.
James, Democrat, of Hartford County
and Thomas F. Dempsey, Democrat,
of Baltimore, the measure would
authorize judges to determine the
law.
The juries would continue to
decide on the facts.
Three Bills Prepared.
Meanwhile, the Montgomery County
delegation revealed it is preparing
three bills in accordance with recon-
mendations of the county bar asso-
citation, they would:
Increase the salaries Of the three
trial magistrates from $4,000 to
$500 year each and permit them
to substitute for one another with
out authority of the Circuit Court.
Authorize the Circuit Court to
impanel as many petit jurors as it
deems necessary. The court now
can impanel only rs, the delegation
said. The group said this results In
"overloading" the jurors.
Permit the Circuit Court to ap-