Evening star., 1950-11-12
Big Tasks Face
1851 Assembly
AtAnnapo|is
Decision Required
On Convention to
Alter Constitution
BY The Assoeiofed Press

During the 90-day meeting i
will decide such matters as:
What to do about the summon.
ing of a constitutional conven.
ton the voters called for in 9
referendum at Tuesdays election
Whether a 7th congressional
district should be carved out O.
one or more of the existing 81,
districts, or whether to make thu
seventh congressman a represent.
ative-at-large.
The question of a State bonu.
for every Maryland veteran o.
World War II.
It is a sure bet that bills tx
revise the method of assessing
properties for tax purposes vii
come up. Some legislators vii
press for further easing of the
sales tax.
Measures designed to revise the
maximum truck weight laws also
may be introduced.
1t is expected that 1000 OF
more pieces of legislation will be
submitted before adjournment.
Convention Approved.
Voters Tuesday approved by a
wide margin the calling of a con-
vention to draw sup a new docu-
ment to replace Maryland's much
amended 83-year-old constitution
The question is whether the
margin was wide enough.
Twenty years ago, after a simi-
lar referendum with a similar re-
suit, the legislature decided not
to call a constitutional conven-
ton. 1t held that, under the
constitution, majority of all
votes cast in the election was
necessary to make it a mandate
for a convention-not a majority
of votes cast on the particular
issue.
The census results made Mary
land entitled to new congress-
man. 1t is up to the legislature
to decide how he is to be elected
The consensus is that it will turn
down any proposal to change the
existing six congressional districts
Instead, observers believe. it will
provide for the election of a con-
gressman-at-large.
1901 Changes Cited.
The last time a revision in con-
gressional boundaries was made
was in 1901, when Cecil County
was taken from the second dis
trict and placed i'm the first.
Veterans bonus proposals have
cropped up at each of the last
two sessions. They failed each
time.
Both the Democratic and Re-
publican election campaign plat
forms pledged support for legisla-
ton to place the question before
the electorate at a referendum at
the next general election.
Fridays lame duck" session of
the general assembly shaved
ST million a year from sales tax
proceeds by lifting the exemption
ceiling from IA cents to so cents
effective December /, and re-
moving sales of all foods, soaps
baby powders etc, from the terms
Of the tax.
However, Republican Governor
elect Theodore r. McKeldin has
promised he will seek to exempt
fuels for home heating and
cooking and children's clothing
from the sales tax. Some of the
legislators have pet sales tax ex-
emption proposals of their own
Jobs Are Top Interest.
OF paramount interest to the
legislators, themselves, is who will
be The men who will take over
the top jobs in the new legisla-
ture.
Senator Barnes, Democrat, OF
Baltimore, Senate president for
the last four years, did not run
for another term. Majority Leader
Sothoron, Democrat, of Prince
Georges County, was defeated in
the general election.
Speaker Sybert, Democrat, of
Howard County of the House, and
House Minority Leader Rams
burg, Republican, of Frederick,
will be in the new Senate.
Three men have been men
toned prominently as possibili-
ties for president Of the Senate
Senator Sybert and Senators
Turnbull, Democrat. of Baltimore
County and Della, Democrat, OF
Baltimore. One of the three also
nay get the floor leadership
Senate Minority Leader Kimble
Republican, of Allegany County
will be back for another term and
is almost certain to continue as
Republican whip.
House Majority Leader Pum-
phrey. Democrat, of Prince
Georges County, would like to be
the new speaker of the House.
Among the others considered in
the running for the job are Dele
gates Boone. Democrat, of Balti-
more County; Luber, Democrat,
Baltimore; Wilkinson. Democrat,
of Prince Georges County; Robin
son, Democrat. of Baltimore, and
Landlord, Democrat, of Anne
Arundel County.
Delegate Lofstrand, Republican,
OF Montgomery County may be
the one to succeed Mr.. F.msburg
as House minority leader.
IL Senators to Return.
Only IL of the 20 incumbent
senators and 50 of the delegates
of the dying Legislature will be
back for new terms. There will
be 88 Democrats and IS Republi-
cans in the House, compared with
the present 81 and 36 split. The
Democrats will have a sure Is
senators and the Republicans
elected at least 10.
The 29th seat, now held by
Senator Fraley, Republican, of
fSarratt Co,,o+x, - -4:I1 -. IL4