Evening star., 1951-03-31
|CarveI HaIIFire
|Stymies Work
.0fLegis|ature
BIoze at Annapolis
May Result in Loss
Of Important Bills
By J. 1. Miehoel

py ). L. mlCnoeI
stor staff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS. Mar. 3l-Mary-
lands legislators. many of them
without a hotel room and minus
personal possessions as result
OF fire at historic Carvel Hall.
drifted dazedly back to their task
at the State House today.
But because of the blaze, which
broke up hard-driving sessions of
both the Senate and House last
night, 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 ac-
ton on number of important
and highly controversial measures.
More than ITO 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
panies bring the blaze under con-
troll 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 fioodlights, 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. n
Accommodations were hastily
arranged for most of the legis-
latorS but some who live nearby
went home for fresh clothing and
a 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, rs
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
closing rush. A few snakes" will
slip through in the confusion and
some important measures may
not be reached.
The fire held up consideration
OF these important measures:
A proposal for $50 million vet
Grams bonus, pay raises for school
teachers. settlement of fight be-
tween Gov. McKeldin and Senate
Democrats and the windup of an
all-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.
Before the sound of the sirens.
the Legislature:
Started on it's way to enactment
OF Gov. McKeldin's $19 million
bond bill for State construction.
Tentatively approval a SIS mil
lion bond issue for State Office
building at Annapolis.
Passed bill authorizing a SIS
million bond issue for a new engi-
neering building at Johns Hop
kins University.
Gave committee approval to a
proposed 5000 to $500 a year pay
raise for school teachers to be paid
for from proceeds of a per cent
increase in the corporation in
come tax.
Differences to Be Worked Out.
One must" bill has yet to be
acted on. 1t is the Governors
proposal to transfer from general
funds to the Motor Vehicle De-
partment nearly 81 million to pay
for a cost-of-living pay increase
for State employees.
The bill has passed both houses
but Delegates have refused to
agree to an amendment tackled on
in the Senate. Conferees are to
iron out the differences today with
the odds favoring Senate capitula-
ton to the Governors demands.
BY a 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
fifths majority required since the
bill provides for a constitutional
amendment subject to a State
wide vote in 1852.
Shortly afterward the House by
an 30 to SO 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.
Bonus Off on Wrong Start.
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 a 79-to-36 roll call. Dr.. Byrd
in the House chamber
soon afterward wearing his
brightest victory smile.
Senate sponsors of the bonus
measure got their bill on the floor