Evening star., 1951-03-14
Bill for New 7th
District Awaits
MckeIdin OK
Rules Suspended for
Quick Passage of
Democratic Measure
By J. l. MichoeI
Sf1r Stoff Cerysxnnndeny

ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 14.-Gov
McKeldin has Maryland's re-
districting bill today.
There are indications that the
Republican chief executive will
sign the Democratic measure
which went through the House in
record time last night.
The bill. which came from the
Senate only a few hours before
would give the State the new 7th
Congressional District to which ii
is entitled by 1850 census figures.
Its boundaries would lie entire
1y within Baltimore, giving that
city three. districts.
Representative Sasscer. Demo
crat, played a lead role in laying
out the lines. The veteran South
ern Maryland Representative also
had something to say about the
5th District, which would cede all
but nine of its South Baltimore
precincts in a redrafting of bound
aries.
The new member of Congress
will be elected by 1952-from the
7th district, if the bill becomes
law, and at-large if it does not.
Hopkins Gives Lone "No."'
Only one member of the House
voted mo" at the climax of a
series of machine-gun like ma
neuvers, which included fast roll
calls and suspension of the rules.
He was Delegate Samuel Hopkins,
Republican, of Baltimore.
Delegate Anders R. Lofstrand. jr.,
Republican, of Montgomery, eX-
planning his vote, said that while
this bill does not agree with a mi
nority plan. it is a pleasure to
vote AYE" because it creates a
new Republican stronghold"
A similar statement was made
by Senator Francis K. Dippel of
Baltimore just before the Senate
voted favorably, Is to II, in Mon
days session. Senator Dippel cast
the only dissenting Democratic
vote.
Another redistricting plaintiffs
time for tax assessment districts
was agreed on yesterday by the
Senate Finance Committee.
It involves a three-year assess
ment cycle and represents COM
promise between the present five
year cycle system and a bill backed
by the State Tax Survey Commits
sion. The latter would provide
for annual assessments of real
estate on a full cash value basis.
Now Five Tax Districts.
Under existing law, Baltimore
City and the % counties are di-
vided into five tax districts, one
of which is assessed each year and
the new valuations placed on the
books Immediately.
The compromise would set up
three tax districts in each sub
division. One would be reassesed
each year. but the new valuations
would not be recorded until the
end of the three-year cycle.
Legislation to effect the change
Is ready for introduction.
In an unexpected development
yesterday, DR.. H. G. Byrd, presi-
dent of the University of Mary
land, said he has five opponents
in the Legislature "who battle me
constantly" He did not identify
them.
Later. however, he referred to
a bill sponsored by Delegate Ho-
race P. Whitworth, jr., Republi-
can. of Allegheny County, which
he declared would take the Uni
versity of Maryland out of the
research field for business and
government.
Would Freeze Money.
The measure would freeze
money received from fees and
grants above the amount esti-
mated in the budget of any de-
partment of the State govern
ment.
IF we adopt it," said DR.. Byrd
1--WE will make the rest of the
country think Maryland has gone
loco and the university is worth
nothing at all"
DR.. Byrd predicted expansion of
the uaiversity's branch at Princess
Anne. At about the same time,
the affairs of the Negro school
were under debate in the Senate
The exchange developed over a
bill to end building projects at
Princess Anne until the State has
decided the institutions future
But with DR.. Byrd on the Senate
floor, closely scanning the pro-
ceedings, only eight votes were
tailed in support of the measure
That means work will go on al
Princess Anne and that DR.. Byrc
is the winner in another bout with
the five mystery men,"