Evening star., 1950-03-02
Assembly Plans
To Quit Today
In Maryland
Bonus Bills Fate
In Doubt as 1t
Reaches House
BY J. |. Michoel
Speciol Stor Cotrespondenf.

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 1.-The
Legislature was set to
adjourn today-the hour hinging
On whether it settles or ducks
the veterans bonus issue.
With Gov Lanes big fiscal pro-
gram and its own bonus bill out
Of the way, the Senate last night
the House it wanted to
quit at 3 pm.
House Leaders agreed but con-
ceded that they must either vote
finally on the bonus or resort to
parliamentary maneuver.
Final action came last night on
a. S3.872,000 construction bond
bill and reduction of the State
real estate levy from 1899 to 6
cents on each S100.
Budget Cleared.
The S144 million budget and
81 100000 income tax cut bills
had been cleared before the bonus
issue pushed the Assembly into a
snarl of parliamentary moves and
countermoves.
Real estate tax cuts are ex-
pected to save taxpayers $2.5 mil
lion and with income tax reduc-
tion will reduce State revenues
SO, 100000. Passage of budget and
tax measures completes the pri-
mary work of the first 30-day ses-
sion in State history.
The Senate yesterday without
debate passed its $l25 million
bonus measure and sent it to the
House which has still to act final
ly on its own 500 million plan.
The Senate bill has little or no
chance to become law since Gov.
Lane said fatty that he would
veto any pill that did not include
specific tax dedications" to pay
off the necessary bond issue.
Quite a different matter is the
House version. 1t carries an
which would increase
the sales tax from 2 to cents
# the people so decide in ref
srendum in November.
Final Decision Delayed.
The bill was due for final de-
cision last night but was not listed
On the third reading calendar. It's
author, Delegate John F. Nc
Nulty, Democrat. of Anne Arundel
County, asked why.
Speaker Sybert explained that
proofreaders had discovered errors
in the printed bill. He assured
Mr.. McNulty it would be on the
final vote calendar today.
Fate of the controversial meas
ure was impossible to gauge in
view of persistent rumors that
out of the legislative trick bag
would come a means of shelving
the question until after the elec-
ton next fall.
Others believed the issue would
have to be faced and a showdown
vote recorded before Senators and
delegates faced their constituents
in the coming campaign.
$500 Maximum Set.
The House bill would pay vet
Grams of both world wars SIS a
month for overseas and $40 a
month for domestic service. Max
lmum payments were set at $500
with an estimated average for
285, 900 benefciaries OF from $500
to $400.
Time appeared the chief diff
Guilty for bonus supporters. They
may not be able to get the meas
ure across to the Senate before
and if they do there
is no assurance the upper House
will agree to the sales-tax in
crease.
The Senate version provided
that sales tax revenues above $40
million be used to pay off bonus
bonds with real estate receipts to
be called on to make up any dis
While the bonus proposals have
caused the worst headaches of
the session, many legislators will
leave for home disgruntled be-
cause they were unable to get &C
ton on local or even State wide
bills.
Bills Forced to Floor.
Constitutional provisions unde.
which the current session was
called limit action to the budget.
measures affecting the public well
fare or "acute emergencies.
Both Houses have been out of
land at times since the session
began February /, and several bills
lave been forced from commit
ees by petition. BY this proceed
Ire, both bonus bills were brought
% the floor.
The new procedure was consid-
red so unsatisfactory that an at
empt was made yesterday to dis
lard it and instead have the
Assembly meet go days each year
With any type of bill eligible for
consideration. The plan died in
he Senate last night, when it was
ent back to committee after brief
lebate.
Senator Roy Tasco Davis, Re-
'ublican. of Montgomery County
greed after President Joseph F..
'yrnes said he considered it un-
satisfactory, but Senator Davis
aid a substitute should be given
borough study before adoption.