Evening star., 1950-08-27
.Mahoney
Issue Pledges
For Campaign
Governor to Stand
On Record; Opponent
To Seek Tax Cuts
BY the Assoeioted Press


BY the Assoeiated Press
BALTIMORE, Aug. 26.-This
was platform day in the campaign
for the Democratic nomination for
governor.
Both Gov. Lane and George P.
Mahoney, his principal opponent
in the September 18 primary, SUBJ
mitted their detailed programs.
The governors program was di-
vided into IL points while Mr..
Mahoney listed %.
Gov. Lane, in the main, stood on
his four-year record. He promised
that if reelected, and world con-
ditions allowed, he would COM
plete the roads. schools. hospital
and other programs started by his
administration.
Mr., Mahoney promised he would
work for an immediate easing
and eventual abolishment-of the
retail sales tax. He also said he
would ask for an immediate cut
in State income taxes by 10 per
cent.
Seeks Bigger Exemption Base.
He said, specifically, he would
ask an immediate increase of the
sales tax exemption base from its
present IA cents to "a cents; elm
ination of the levy on all foods.
drugs and household remedies.
and baby oils and powders.
Those reductions. he added,
could be effected without cutting
teachers salaries or detrimentally
affecting the school system, OPP
Grafton of hospitals, improvement
of roads cor any other vital public
function"
Mr.. Mahoney asserted overhauls
of the budget control and account
ing systems would, to a large ex-
tent. make those reductions pos
sible.
Lane Cites Tax Study.
Gov. Lane did not mention the
sales tax specifically. However.
he said a State commission is now
making a study of all State taxes
looking towards more equitable
distribution of the State tax base
and such revision downward Of
taxes as the States financial re-
quirements permit" Recently he
said it looks as if the exemption
base of the sales tax may be raised
next year, and that restaurant
meals may be exempted.
The Governors s. platform called
for eventual abolition of the State
real estate tax, meanwhile, hold
ing this tax at a minimum level"
The rate is now cents per 500
of value-lowest in State history.
1 Mr.. Mahoney did not mention
the real estate tax in his platform.
Both Urge Mental Clinics.
Both called for development Of
mental hygiene clinics and estab-
lishment of preventive programs.
Mr.. Mahoney criticized present
conditions in the States mental
hospitals. Gov. Lane pledged
continued support of the reor-
ganization of the mental hospitals
with the highest possible type of
treatment 4"
The Governor said he would
carry out the f1ve-year road i'm
provement program started in
1948. Mr.. Mahoney said that
while he favors road improve
ments, he is opposed to the pro-
gram started by Gov. Lane. Mr..
Mahoney contended the highways
being built under 1t are costing
too much.
Gov. Lane pledges himself to
complete the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge and to start the construc-
ton "also of a self f-liquidating
project like the Bay Bridge Of q
tunnel under Baltimore's harbor
to help relieve the city's traffic
congestion.
Mahoney Outlines Platform.
Among other points in the Ma
honey platform:
Roadside control. including un-
bridled exploitation by billboards:
home rule to give political subdi-
visions greater measure Of self
government; a greater opportuni-
ty for women to manage State af-
fairs; submission of the question
of veterans bonus to the voters
in a referendum, and revision Of
voters registration provisions to
better guarantee fair and honest
elections"
Neither mentioned the contro-
versial Ober Law specifically but
Mr.. Mahoney listed one plank on
communism: THE State should
take every proper constitutional
measure to protect itself, its citi-
zens and it's institutions against
the inflltration of communism.
anti-democratic processes and
tsubversive activities -"