Evening star., 1950-12-31
Assembly Opens
Biennial Session
Wednesday
Fireworks Expected
With COP. Governor,
Democrat Legislature
By J. B. Zotmon

BY J. B. Zotmon
The biennial 90-day session Of
the Maryland General Assembly
will get under way Wednesday in
Annapolis with Statewide and
local matters due to share the
legislative spotlight.
AS q result of the election last
month of a Republican GoverrlC-
and a Democrat-controlled Legis-
lature, the session is expected &,
produce plenty Of fireworks. The
last time such a situation existed
was in 1934-38, when the late Gov.
Nice was the States chief execu-
tive.
The first job to be tackled will
be the selection by the Democratic
majority of a Speaker and Sen
ate president. The Democrats will
name these officers at a caucus
at II am. Wednesday, while the
Republicans will meet an hour
earlier to select minority leaders.
Candidates for Speaker.
Competing for Speaker Of the
House are Leroy Pumphrey and
Perry o. Wilkinson. Of Prince
Georges County, both Of whom
are serving their third terms: A.
Gordon Boone, who is serving his
second term from Baltimore.
County, and John Lubaer Of Balti-
more, who is serving his fourth
term.
Mr.. Pumphrey was Democratic
majority leader during the last
session and Mr.. Luber held the job
from 1912 to 1916.
Mentioned prominently for the
Senate presidency are George w.
Della of Baltimore. who is serving
his fourth term. and John G.
Turnbull, serving his second term
from Baltimore County. Former
House Speaker c. Ferdinand
Sybert of Howard County, who
was elected to the Senate last
month. is regarded as a dark
horse"
Senator Robert B. Kimble Of
Allegany County is expected to
succeed himself as minority leader.
while in the House, Anders r.
Lofstrand, jr., chairman Of Mont
gomery County's all Republican
delegation, is expected to put up
a stiff fight for minority leader
there. The minority leader during
the last session, Jacob r. Rams
burg of Frederick County was
elected to the Senate.
Issues To Be Decided.
Among State wide questions
which the legislators will be called
on to decide are:
The future of the 2 per cent
sales tax. A special session last
month shaved 81 million a year
from the levy's proceeds by lift
ing the exemption ceiling from
IA to so cents and removing sales
of all foods. soaps. baby powder
and baby oils from the tax.
Newly-elected Gov. McKeldin
has promised, however. to seek
exemption of fuels for home heat
ing and cooking and children's
clothing. He also has come out
for eventual elimination Of the
tax.
What to do about the calling
of a constitutional convention ap-
proved by the voters in a referen-
dunn last month.
Whether a 7th congressional
district should be carved out OF
one or more of the existing six
districts or whether to make the
seventh congressman a represent
ive-at-large. Because the State
gained in population in the last
census, it rates another member
in the House of Representatives.
Bonus for Veterans.
The question of a State bonus
for Maryland veterans of World
War II.
Revision of the method of as
sessing properties for tax purposes.
A special commission has pro-
posed elimination Of the present
method, under which each county
is divided into five districts with
each district being assessed once
every five years. AS substitute,
the commission recommended a
general reassessment of all prop
critics at periodic intervals.
Locally, the Montgomery County
delegation will press for passage OF
the legislative program which was
turned down by the Democratic
majority during the last session.
1t includes:
An elected Board of Education,
transfer of building and electrical
inspections from the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission to the County
Council transfer Of plumbing in
spection and trash and garbage
collection from the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission to
the council, repeal or the Lindsay
law prohibiting non-partisan
council elections and enactment
of law amending the county
charter to permit such elections,
subject to a referendum.
To Offer Civil Defense Bill.
The group also will introduce a
bill under which Maryland can
match Federal funds for civil de-
fenSe.
The Prince Georges County
delegation, which is controlled by
Republicans for the first time in
at least Is years, will center its
fire on the Sothoron Act.
This act. sponsored by former
Senator L. Harold Sothoron Of
Prince Georges at last years 80
day session, provided principally
for full-time county commits
sioner and a county purchasing
bureau. The Republicans cam
paigned for it's repeal
At meeting yesterday with the
county commissioners, the delega-