Evening star., 1950-02-09
Bill Would Let
Run
Struck Utilities
Alcoholic Commission
Measure Advances
In General Assembly
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor StoT Correspondent


ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 9.-Legisla-
tion which would permit the State
to take over and operate strike
bound public utilities is before the
'General Assembly today.
Introduction of the measure
yesterday by Senator P. G. Strom-
berg, Democrat, of Howard Coun-
ty,. highlighted short routine ses-
sions of the House and Senate.
The House, meanwhile, ad-
vanced to the final passage stage
a bill to set up commission on
alcoholism with a 100000 annual
appropriation to establish and
maintain alcoholic clinics.
Favorable committee reports
also were adopted on proposals
to allow nom Maryland tax COL
lection officials to come into the
State if they extend similar
privileges to Maryland and to
make search and seizure warrants
invalid Is days after they are
issued.
Vehicle Bill Opposed,
In other legislative business, the
House Ways and Means Commit
tee heard strong opposition by a
Washington County delegation to
some provisions in a compulsory
motor vehicle inspection bill and
the Prince Georges County dele
cation introduced six local meas
uGes
The Prince Georges group said
1t would introduce soon a bill to
re-enact $9,000.OOO bond author
ization for the Washington Subur-
ban Sanitary Commission.
Legality Of the original meas
ure. passed at the 1949 session,
was questioned by the commits
sion's bonding attorneys because
there was no record of it's final
passage in the Senate.
? The error was similar to that
which resulted in the invalida-
ton Of the States $4,000, 900
school bond bill. which was re-
enacted at last December's special
session.
Senator Stromberg's utility
strike bill carries an emergency
clause which would make it effec-
tive Immediately upon signature
oy the Governor, 1t is similar to
Vlrgina's present law.
Five-Week Delay Provided.
, The Senator pointed out that
II the General Assembly acts
swiftly, the people of the State
would be spared the herdships
experienced during the 1947 tele-
phone strike. He did not say, how.
ever. whether he submitted the
bill to avert the telephone strike
which has just been postponed for
two weeks.
Under the bill, no strike could
be called until five weeks after
the Hing of notice that negotia-
lions between labor and manage
ment have failed.
During this "cooling-off" period.
the Governor would determine
whether the proposed walkout
would constitute a menace to pub
lie health, welfare or safety.
II his investigation proved that
such threat existed, the Cover
nor could take over the utility
and strikers Jobs could be filled
by State employees.
AT the satisfactory conclusion
OF the labor dispute. the State
would return the property to the
owner. retaining Is per cent of
the profits to defray the cost of
State operation.
Shift to State Objected.
The bill also provides that ths
Governor could request both par
ties to submit their dispute tn
arbitration. If they refuse and
a work stoppage is set, it could
not take place for 35 days. Vio-
lators would be subject to a $40.
900 fine.
At the hearing before the Wavs
and Means Committee, the pro-
testing delegation objected to a
provision in the auto-inspection
bill which would turn over the
system to the State in 1861. Until
that time. the serniannual in
spectlons would be conducted in
private garages at an annual cost
to each motorist of S1.5O.
Van 1tnyre of Smithsburg. lead
er OF the group. said it believed in
motor vehicle inspections.
we are opposed" he said, ito
spending several million dollars
under a State inspection system.
We favor inspection by auto re-
pairmen.'
Prince Georges Bill.
Bills introduced by the Prince ?
Georges delegation would:
l. Authorize Bladensburg Of
ticials to establish off-street park
ing facilities and to levy tax on
town businessmen to pay off any
bonds issued to acquire the neces-
sary land.
2. Empower the Mayor and
Council of Hyattsville to acquire
land for off-street parking by pur-
chase, lease or condemnation.
3. Give Hyattsville officials au-
thority to improve alleys provided
they receive the consent of 81 per
cent Of the abutting property own
erS.
4. Clarity provisions of the
Bowie town charter.
5. Increase the Edmonston
town tax from so cents to a max
imum of 80 cents per $l0o val
uation.
s. Extend the corporate limits
OF Capitol Heights to take in ..
new subdivision along Brooks
road.
Also introduced was a bill bv
Senator Robert Kimble, Republi-
can. OF Allegany County to in.