Evening star., 1950-03-02
Assembly Plans
To Quit Today
In Maryland
Bonus Bills Fate
In Doubt as 1t
Reaches House
By }. l. Michael
Speciol Stor Correspondent.

SNe'1N'''
ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 2-The
Legislature was set to
adjourn today-the hour hinging
IN whether it settles or ducks
he veterans bonus issue.
With Gov. Lanes big fiscal pro-
gram and its own bonus bill out
If the way. the Senate last night
Notified the House it wanted to
luit at 3 pm.
House Leaders agreed but con-
,eded that they must either vote
finally on the bonus or resort to
maneuver.
Final action came last night on
4 $3,872,000 construction bond
bill and reduction of the State
real estate levy from 12.39 to 6
cents on each $10O.
Budget Cleared.
The $144 million budget and
81 ,250.000 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 SIS mil
lion and with income tax reduc-
tion will reduce State revenues
S3,750,000. 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 SIPS million
bonus measure and sent it to the
House which has still to act final
ly on it's 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
if the people so decide in ref
erendum 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
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 means of shelving
the question until after the elec-
tion 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 paw vet
erans of both world wars SIS
month for overseas and $40 a
month for domestic service. Max
imum payments were set at $500
with an estimated average for
285, 900 beneficiaries 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
adjournment, 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 ac-
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
hand at times since the session
began February /, and several bills
have been forced from commit
tees by petition. BY this proceed
lre, both bonus bills were brought
to the floor.
The new procedure was consid-
cred so unsatisfactory that an at
Tempt was made yesterday to dis
card it and instead have the
Assembly meet go days each year
with any type of bill eligible for
consideration. The plan died in
the Senate last night, when it was
sent back to committee after brief
debate.
Senator Roy Tasco Davis, Re-
of Montgomery County
agreed after President Joseph F.
3yrnes said he considered it un-
satisfactory, but Senator Davis
said a substitute should be given
thorough study before adoption.
Boiling Base to Offer