Evening star., 1950-11-16
Legiis|ativeUnit
ToDraw Up Bill
On Constitution
Council Committee
To Work on Plans for
Maryland Convention
BY the Assoeioted Press

BALTIMORE, Nov. 16.-The
Legislative Council will draw ur
a bill to provide for the calling
Of constitutional convention.
Whether the General Assembly
will pass the measure is another
matter.
At a meeting of the council
interim committee of the Legisla-
ture-yesterday, Senator Sothoron
Democrat, Prince Georges Coun-
ty), said a council committee will
be appointed soon to get to work
on the bill. He is chairman OF
the council. He was defeated In
last weeks election, however.
Voters approved by a wide
margin in a November 7 refer
endum the calling Of a convention
to write new State constitution
to replace the much-Amended one
that has been in effect for 80
years.
However. less than half of the
voters who cast ballots for candi-
dates for Governor, voted in the
referendum.
Earlier Effort Failed
Twenty years ago, after a ref
erendum on the same question
with just about the same results,
the Legislature refused to pass a
constitutional convention bill.
In other business at yesterdays
Council meeting:
l. The legislators turned down
a bill sponsored by the State
Game and Inland Fish Commits
sion to raise Maryland's resident
hunting license fee from $1.25 to
$l.75.
2. Delegate Lofstrand, Republi-
can, of Montgomery County, said
his county's all-Republican House
delegation is preparing a bill
which would provide for election
of school board members there.
He asked the councils advice in
preparing the measure. Senator
Sothoron told Mr.. Lofstrand the
council will take up the whole sub
ject OF school boards before it
finishes it's business this year.
Would Revamp Health Agency.
8. Senator Turnbull, Democrat
OF Baltimore county, suggested
that goods sold at church carni-
walls be exempted from the sales
tax.
4. The council approved a
measure to reorganize the State
Health Department along the
lines suggested by special study
commission. No major changes
would be made.
5. It also agreed to sponsor
legislation to transfer revenues
from certain license fees-bed-
ding inspection, narcotics and
other hospital needs-from a spe-
cial fund administered by the
Health Department into the gen.
eral funds of the State.
The bill to raise the resident
hunting fee was sponsored by the
State Farm Bureau and most OF
the 1853 sportsmen's organizations
In Maryland.
The countrywide licenses re-
strict the holders to hunting on
private property.
Boone to Sponsor Bill.
Delegate Boone, Democrat, OF
Baltimore County, was the only
council member present who
voted for the bill. He said he
would sponsor such a measure
himself when the legislature con-
venes January 3.
Malcolm E. King, public rela-
tions director Of the State Game
Commission, said that unless the
commission gets more revenues, il
will have to curtail its game res
toration program. The commits
sion is financed almost wholly by
license fees.
Mr.. Lofstrand's questions about
election of school board men,
bers reopened subject of long
standing. At present, school
board members are appointed by
the Governor. Regularly, bills to
change the system are brought
before the Legislative Council and
introduced in the General AS
sembly.