Evening star., 1950-02-22
Repeal Of Sales Tax
Sought in Annapolis;
Approval Unlikely
By J. |. MichoeI
Special Siof Correspondenf

ApPIVVoI UIlIIktIy
By J. L. MichoeI
SpeeoI Stor Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. GA bill to
repeal the sales tax is before the
Maryland Legislature today.
The demand came Unexpectedly
just before the Senate closed the
door On introduction of new pro-
posals at the current short session.
The repeater, which is conceded
little chance of passage, was spon-
sored by Senator T. F. johnson,
Democrat, of Worcester County.
He called the 2 per cent levy "un-
fortunate" and "a nuisance people
want to get rid Of"
His attack on the $27 million-a-
year revenue producer offered as
substitute 1-per cent gross
receipts tax on business and in
dustry.
That" he said, would be a
far more equitable and practical
way to collect revenue for the
State" He estimated his plan
would produce almost as much
csah as the sales tax.
University Stand Backed.
Across the corridor, Delegate
Whitworth, Republican, of Allie
gany County summed up the
House Education Committees re-
port on the University of Maryland
in this manner:
Give us the money and don't
ask questions"
The report agreed the univer-
sity should submit a detailed
budget but insisted that once the
appropriation was made the
Board of Regents should have
power to spend it as they please.
Mr.. Whitworth's remark cli-
NAKED another debate over con-
stantly recurring disputes con-
corning university affairs.
The exchange began when
Delegate James, Democrat, of
Hartford County took the floor on
a point of personal privilege. He
said he was a member of the
committee and that the bill had
never been submitted to him. Il
never read it and I don't concur" /"
he said.
Delegate Tyler, Democrat, of
Anne Arundel, chairman of the
committee. defended the report.
He explained that 1t was before
the House with a request that it
be journalized and that there was
no accompanying bill or resolu-
ton. The House agreed to the
request.
All alone-and frowned upon by
both the administration and for
mer co-backers-Senator Phoebus,
Republican. Of Worcester County
placed before the Senate a bun
died up" version of peace on the
Potomac" legislation.
He sponsored a single bill in
cooperating the four proposals
passed by the Virginia House of
Delegates and now awaiting SEN
ate action. His move came in the
face of Gov. Lanes thumbs-down
resolution and against the advice
of his colleagues.
Lane Tax Proposal Scored.
In the House Ways and Means
Committee. Gov. Lanes measure
to increase from 500 to $500 the
amount of investment income tax
able at 2 per cent ran into stiff
Republican opposition.
Terming the bill dishonest" ="
Delegate Clark of Montgomery
County said it offered mo tax
relief at ALL" He contended the
first $500 of investment income
should be taxable at 2 per cent
no matter how high the income
The Governors plan calls for a
5 per cent levy when the total
figure is above $500. The COM
mittee withheld decision.
A bill sponsored by Senator
Davis, Republican, of Montgomery
County, would specify that in
certain counties the circuit court
grand jury panels shall consist
of not less than $50 nor more than
800 names. It also specifies that
the names shall be distributed
among election districts in the
same proportions required for
drawing the list of regular jurors.
The measure would affect Mont
gomery. Frederick, Prince Georges,
Hartford, Charles, Calvert and
other counties.
One of two bills repealed by the
House was 1949 act directing the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission to fix water service
charges sufficient to pay principal
and interest on water, sewage and
drainage system bond issues.
Held in Mothers Death
ROANOKE. Va, Feb, % (P.-