Evening star., 1950-11-10
Maryland Lame Ducks
Convene for Action
On Sales Tax Relief
BY the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, NOV. 1O.-A lame
duck Legislature called into special
session by a Governor who turned
out to be a "lame duck" also, to-
Gay prepared to ease Maryland's
sales tax.
There is no telling what else the
legislators may do before the spe-
cial session adjourns.
There also is no telling when
adjournment. time will be reached, ),
although leaders hope it will be
sometime tonight.
Gov. Elect Theodore R. Nickel
din, who will take Office in jan
uary, came to Annapolis early for
the special session. He arrived
ahead of many Republican law
makers.
Mr.. McKeldin set up temporary
headquarters in the Court of Ap-
peals Building across the street
from the Statehouse. Word soon
drffted to the executive chambers
that he was present.
Attends Party Caucus.
He had said he wanted to con-
fer with Gov. Lane on easing the
sales tax. paramount question at
the special session.
The G. o. P. Governor elect
sat in on his party caucus, held
in closed session to choose floor
leaders and put finishing touches
on the Republicans legislative
program.
Gov Lane, meanwhile, went
over last-minute plans with rank
ing Democratic legislators. Sem
ate President Byrnes, House
Speaker Sybert, Roads Commits
sioner Joseph NJ. George and
State Treasurer Hooper S. Miles
attended the private conference.
An hour after the session was
to have convened, Mr.. McKeldin
and Gov. Lane had not conferred.
At least % bills were readied for
introduction, including one which
would do away with the sales tax
entirely after next June 80.
Gov. Lane issued the special ses-
sion call before Tuesdays election,
an election in which he took the
worst beating of any major candi-
GATE for the job in Maryland his
tory.
Complete Repeater Proposed.
Gov. Lanes administration sales
tax measure would eliminate the
levy on all sales below so cents.
Also sales of all foods, soaps,
cleaning fluids and baby oils and
powders would be exempt from the
tax.
Senator Storm, Democrat, of
Frederick, who was defeated in
the election, has bill to repeal
the sales tax in its entirety. If
he fails to introduce it. a bloc
of Baltimore City delegates were
reported ready to put one in like
IT, anyway.
Senator Storm said last night
that he would "feel out" his col
leagues before deciding definitely
what to do about his bill.
One of those who voted for the
sales tax when it came up for
adoption in 1947, he said in a |
statement:
"Only three of the Senators |
who voted for the sales tax have
been returned to Office. which
emphasizes the fact that Mary
landers do not accept the sales
tax.
THE Republican minority in
the General Assembly has always
contended that there are other
methods of raising the revenue /
provided by the sales tax. and I
am in favor of joining with them
in accordance with the mandate
of the people by repeating the |
levy, effective next July L. This |
will give the new administration
ample opportunity to provide a
revenue program of its own"
1t was understood that a group
of victory happy Republicans have
a measure to remove the sales tax
from fuel and children's clothing
one of the campaign promises
Of Mr.. McKeldin.
COP Opposes Outright Repeal.
Mr.. McKeldin said the Republi-
cans would oppose any move for
outright repeal at the special
session.
And the Republican minority in
the General Assembly is also al
most sure to fight against a. series
of measures to blanket more pub
lie employees into the merit sys-
tenn.
Democrats sponsoring the merit
system measures want to make
sure that Democrats now holding
the jobs keep them when a Re
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