Evening star., 1949-04-23
Gov. Lane Signs
Anti-Red Law
And 238 Others
Ober Bill Is Nations
Toughest Act Against
Subversive Groups
Special Dispaieh 10 The sior

and Gov. Lane Is rid of half his
bill-signing worries as the result
of a 1-hour and 20-minute session
yesterday in which he wrote his
name on 226 acts and 13 resolu-
tions.
Previously, he had signed 1913
bills and seven resolutions.
Still awaiting executive action
are AL measures out Of total Of
$50 approved by the last Legisla-
ture.
The anti-Communist Ober bill
became law at 3 o'clock when the
Governor put his name on an
amendment terming the act an
emergency measure. Without the
amendment, the bill would have
been imperative until June J..
Frank M. Ober, Baltimore attor-
ney, headed a special commission
that drew UP the law.
Under its provisions, State, coun-
ty and city employees and, school
teachers will be checked for 10y
atty and continued membership
of any individual in subversive
organizations will be dealt with as
q crime.
Pen Given To Bandiere.
The Governor, working in the
reception room of the executive
Offices, switched pens only once
when he signed the Ober bill. He
gave the pen to Delegate Charles
M. Bandiere, Democrat, OF Balti-
more, one of the sponsors OF the
amendment and a member of the
Ober anti-subversive committee.
Among the more important bills
signed yesterday were the $l6.-
100000 bond bill to finance capital
improvements; an act ratifying a
compact with several Southern
States providing for improved edu-
cational facilities, and a measure
freezing membership of the House
of Delegates at 1913.
The bond bill is intended to
finance capital improvements
other than mental hospitals. These
institutions will receive more than
$40, 900. 900 of the States one
timee $25. 100000 surplus.
Redistribution Efforts Failed.
Legislation freezing the number
of House seats was introduced
after failure of an attempt to
redistribute membership on a
population basis. The idea was to
give Baltimore City and the larger
counties, such as Montgomery and
Prince Georges. additional seats
in the lower chamber. .....,.
Most Of the other measures re-
ceiving the Governors approval
were local and non-controversial.
No bills were vetoed yesterday and
Gov. Lane said no hearings on
unsigned bills had been scheduled.
Among non-local bills acted on
yesterday was measure by Sen
ator Goldstein, Democrat, Calvert
County, providing for increased
penalties for vessels found guilty
of discharging oil or other refuse
into Chesapeake Bay. The new
penalties permit fines up to
$2,500 and imprisonment OF not
more than one year.
Montgomery Bills Signed.
County bills included:
Neutrality-suspicious. bills; au-
thorizing the Takoma Park City
Council to establish storm water
drainage districts; setting forth
the manner of nominating the
mayor and councilmen of Takoma
Park and specifying the manner
in which elections shall be con-
Quoted; requiring the boards OF
election supervisors of Mont
gomery and Prince Georges coun-
ties to certify lists OF registered
voters in state and county elec-
tions.
Others provide for a public
hearing before adoption Of the
Takoma Park budget; list the
qualifications for the mayor OF
Washington Grove; increase the
county's allowable bonded indebt-
edness; authorize the County
Council to adopt group life and
health insurance and group hos
pitalization plans for employees Of
quasi-public corporations.
Also, to fix compensation OF
Orphans Court judges; relate to
the County Councils meeting time,
and power of the mayor of Ia
koma Park to act as justice of the
peace; authorize the mayor and
council of Rockville to collect a
service charge for collection Of
garbage and trash; increase the
amount of expenditure for which
advertisement for bids is required.
Prince Georges County Bills.
Prince Georges--House bills
Increasing annual appropriation
for county volunteer f1remen's as
sociations and rescue squads,
changing corporate name of mu-
nicipality to Town Of Landover
Hills, providing for compensation
of officials and a referendum, add
ing two additional areas to the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
District. relating to taxes OF Fair
s~1,,a% IYairl,fc
Also, repeating charter Of Chev-
erly and enacting new charter;
to provide for referendum in Riv-
erdale on question of increasing
levy to maintain fire equipment;
authorizing Mayor and council OF
Cheverly to install storm water
or surface drainage system and
providing that costs be assessed
against property owners; relating
to property taxes in College Park;
relating to salary of sheriff and
allowing reimbursement for auto
expense; authorizing county COM
missioners to borrow $500 900 for
temporary purposes, and restrict
ing number of alcoholic beverage
licenses in county.