Evening star., 1949-02-26
Maryland Bill
.CurbsCourts'
Press Powers
Seeks to Bar Rules
By Judges to Limit
News Publication
BY Stoff Correspondent Of The Stor

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. ga bill to
prohibit Maryland judges from
adopting any rule to limit or
abridge freedom of the press" is
before the General Assembly.
1t was introduced in the Senate
yesterday by Senator P. G. Strom-
berg, Democrat, of Howard Coun-
ty, owner of a chain of county
newspapers.
The measure stems from Rule
904 of the Baltimore Supreme
Bench. which restricts the publi-
cation of news concerning an &C
cused after his arrest.
Three radio stations and COM
mentator were convicted of con-
tempt recently under the rule.
They were cited for broadcasts on
the arrest of Eugene H. James,
charged with the murder of H.
year-old Marsha Brill in Balti-
more. James later was convicted
and sentenced to be hanged.
The Court of Appeals Rules
Committee has been considering
Statewide extension of the Balti-
more rule.
Press Group Helped on Bill.
Senator Stromberg said he and
a committee of the Maryland
Press Association had drafted the
bill.
According to the preamble,
"any attempt to abridge the lib
erty of the press should be en-
tirely within the control of the
voters of the State and it's duly
elected General Assembly"
The courts, States attorneys
and police the preamble states,
can we'll control the dissemina-
ton of any facts as to statements
or data, on the confessions of guilt
on the part of those charged with
crime. in the same manner as
the deliberations of grand juries
are maintained in secrecy, without
the necessity of the courts abridg-
ing the liberty of the press"
1t also points out that under
the declaration of rights of the
Maryland constitution, the lib
erty of the press ought to be
inviolably preserved, that every
citizen of the State ought to be
allowed to speak, write and pub
lish his sentiments on all subjects,
being responsible for the abuse of
that privilege"
Both the House and Senate held
routine sessions before recessing
for the week end.
Among bills passed by the House
was one to increase the quarterly
license fee for trailers parked in
Prince Georges County camps
from Sc to sl2.
Fire Tax Proposed.
The Prince Georges delegation
introduced a bill providing for
5000 annual allowance to the
county sheriff for the use of an
automobile.
Approval was given a resolution
sponsored by the Monteomery
delegation requesting the Cover
nor and the Motor Vehicles De-
partment to study the feasibility
of placing slogan on automobile
license tags to advertise the State.
They suggested the following
slogans: The Free State" The
Old Line State or America in
Miniature"
Earlier, a group of Maryland
physicians appeared before the
House Public Health and Welfare
Committee to oppose bill which
would add physical therapy to the
subjects on which chiropractors
are examined.
Dr. HUNTINGTON Williams. Bal
timore health commissioner,
charged the measure would put
chiropractors right into the prac-
tice of medicine"
On the other hand. Wayne F..
Crider. HagerstoWn. representing
the Maryland Chiropractic Asso-
citation, insisted the bill would
merely make our law specific and
definite
Meanwhile, DR.. Thomas G.. Pull
len, jr.. State school superintend-
ent, criticized the procedure rec
commended in the Ober antiSub-
versive bill but said he favored its
spirit and intent
He singled out for attack the
measures provision for a special
assistant attorney general to in
vestigate subversive activities.