Evening star., 1951-12-13
Counties Back
Teacher. Raise
In Maryland
Commissioners New
Association Votes
To Push Legislation
By }. L. MiehoeI
Stor Sioff Correspondent

| ANNAPOLIS, Dec. 13.-Ad-
vocates of a pay raise for Mary
land school teachers today have
the backing of the State Associa.
Ition Of County Commissioners.
The newly formed organization,
in which the old Eastern and
Western Shore groups are welded
together, yesterday adopted a
resolution supporting the Legis-
lative Councils plan to push
through an enabling law in the
1852 General Assembly.
Commissioners from most of the
States % counties voted unani-
mously for the resolution, offered
by Mrs. Stella Werner. member
of the Montgomery County Coun-
Gil.
Their action came near the end
Lof a meeting in Carvel Hall,
where most of the ail-day discuss
sion concerned school problems.
At one point. Association Presi-
dent U. Grant Hooper of Frederick
County lashed George P. Mahoney,
defeated primary candidate for
the governorship last year, for his
attack on the State sales tax law.
Two Resolutions Approved.
Before that the group approved
two other resolutions.
One urged Maryland legislators
to support bills pending in Con-
gress to provide Federal educa-
donal funds to States and counties
to- compensate for revenue lost
when property acquired by the
National Government is dropped
from tax rolls. The bills also
would give financial aid to areas
such as Prince Georges. County,
where normal school construction
schedules have been disrupted by
the influx of Washington Federal
workers.
| The other asked that funds for
Ia chronic disease hospital for
Western Maryland be included in
the next State budget. Wilson
F. Burhans of Washington Coun-
ty. sponsor of the resolution, said
plans call for its construction on
a 60-acre site near Hagerstown.
1.-THE State has provided for SIM
liar institutions in Baltimore and
on the Eastern Shore.
| A forthcoming legislative strug-
gle over the teacher pay problem
drew advance sparks yesterday
during debate in which more than
dozen speakers pointedly aired
their views.
1881 Bill Vetoed.
A bill giving teachers a $500
annual pay advance was passed
by the 1851 Assembly. 1t was
vetoed by Gov. McKeldin on the
ground that it would require addi-
tional taxation and on his further
premise that counties should
shoulder the burden themselves.
Under a new amendment to the
State Constitution. the bill. with
: other vetoed measures, will be re-
viewed by the Assembly as its
, first order of business at the 30
! day February session.
|; Carefully planned and appar-
emily growing moves to override
. the teachers pay veto promise to
give the next Legislature a lively
opening.
| On his feet quickly when the
!: controversial subject was broached,
Commissioner Clarence E. Tyler
. of Anne Arundel County urged
that the Governors veto be over
ruled, "if he does not reconsider"
Mr.. Tyler is authorized by Mrs.
: Werner's resolution to confer with
the executive on the matter.
Money Issue Raised.
eff we advocate that the bill be
passed over the Veto" Mrs. Kath-
ryn Lawlor of Montgomery Coun-
ty replied, I'VE should tell the
Governor where he can find the
money"
THAT is a problem for him
and the Legislature" Mr.. Tyler
rejoined.
w. o. E. Sterling, attorney to
the st. MaryS County commits
sionerS, said the Assembly should
repass the bill or enact a new one.
He disagreed with Mr.. Tyler's
opinion that legislation of that
type probably could not constitu-
tionally be acted on at the short
session.
Lets get the facts" demanded
Mr.. Hooper. "We had the neces-
Isary tax revenue, but George Ma
honey and other politicians played
football with the sales tax and cut
Its returns in half.
when that was done, we let
one-third of osr citizens go sales
ltax-free. And we did more than
that-we took some of their citi-
zenship from them"
i New Bill Advocated.
/ Cutting in on the increasing
tempo of debate, Mrs. Werner Of
lfered her resolution as a compro-
mise. She urged that the Cover
nor'S veto be upheld and new bill
passed. There will be enough
State income this year." she pre-
dicted, ito make a search for new
revenue sources unnecessary.
Keith Seegmiller, general coun-
sci for the National Association Of
County Officials, explained the
pending bills for Federal aid to
States and counties. Speaking at
the afternoon session, Mr.. Seeg-
miller said they had been prepared
by the Budget Bureau and checked
by the Treasury Department.
At the morning meeting. State
and county school problems were
discussed by DR.. John j. Seidel
and DR.. David w. Zimmerman.
assistant State superintendent of
schools.
Air Rnid Siron Tesf