Evening star., 1951-03-31
|CdrveI Ha||Fire
|Stymies Work
BIoze at Annapolis
May Result in Loss
Of Important Bills
BY J. l. MichoeI
Stor Stoff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Mar, 31.-Mary-
lands legislators, many of them
without a hotel room and minus
personal possessions as result
of a fire at historic Carvel Hall,
Idrifted dazedly back to their task
lat the State House today.
But because of the blaze, which
broke up hard driving sessions of
both the Senate and House last
might, there is little prospect that
the 1851 Assembly will finish it's
work until near the constitutional
deadline at midnight Monday.
The fire at II pm. blocked &C
tion on number of important
and highly controversial measures.
More than 11O guests, driven
from their rooms in night clothes,
milled about in the crowd of more
than 1000 which, held back by
police, watched four fire COM
Ipanies bring the blaze under con-
ltrol after four hours.
Fireman in Hospital.
A few legislators dashed through
the smoke and retrieved clothing
and valuables but most were held
back. Tons of water poured into
the ancient building. The lights
went out. Then firemen, with
the aid of floodlights, turned their
hoses on the kitchen wing where
the blaze started in the basement.
One fireman was hospitalized
after falling through a floor and
three others were overcome by
smoke. No estimate of damage
was available Immediately.
Accommodations were hastily
arranged for most of the legis-
lators but some who live nearby
went home for fresh clothing and
la few hours rest.
Gov. McKeldin put up several
lawmakers at the Executive Man
sion. three blocks away. Arrange
ments were made for others to
sleep in hotels at Baltimore, 25
miles from Annapolis.
The old hotel, once the home
of William Paca. a signer Of
the Declaration of independence,
since Colonial days has been the
rendezvous of assemblymen, news
paper men, lobbyists and visitors
to the Naval Academy.
Work Must Speed Up.
The interruption means that
Legislative wheels must turn at a
dizzy pace if the Assembly is TO
wind up before deadline. Some
minor bills probably will fall by
the wayside and be lost in the
Iciosin. rush.
The fire held up consideration
of these important measures:
A proposal for $50 million vet
lerans' bonus. pay raises for school
teachers, settlement of fight be-
tween Gov. McKeldin and Senate
Democrats and the windup of an
Iall-out fight by State Controller
j. Millard Tawes to end Mont
gomery County's beer monopoly.
Before the excitement began,
the House. reversing an action
earlier in the day, approved a bill
giving sweeping autonomy powers
to the University TO Maryland's
Board of Regents.
BY one-vote margin. the House
at its afternoon session disap-
proved the University of Mary
lands bid for added power for its
Board of Regents. The 73-to-40
vote was just short of the three
iflfths majority required since the
bill provides for a constitutional
amendment subject to a State
wide vote in 1852.
! Shortly afterward the House by
an 80 to 80 tally beat down a
motion to table the bill. This
gave DR.. H. c. Byrd, who had
kept score in a seat in the House
gallery. a chance to rally his
forces.
He took full advantage of the
opportunity. When the House re-
convened for its night session, the
veteran educator-lobbyist was pre-
pared. A motion to reconsider the
afternoon vote was approved and,
back for final realing once more,
Delegates whizzed the bill through
by 79-to-36 roll call. DR.. Byrd
appeared in the House chamber
soon afterward wearing his
brightest victory smile.