Evening star., 1952-11-22
|Mcke|din Joins
D'AIesandroin
Home Rule Plea
Municipal League
Urged to Support
Move in Maryland
By J. l. MichoeI
Stor Stoff Coryesuondent


and Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro
|of Baltimore for Statewide town
and county home rule government
have been voiced before the Mary
land Municipal League.
Addressing 120 delegates to the
leagues annual convention yester-
|day, Gov. McKeldin said:
II hope that you will press for
the recommended constitutional
amendment granting our cities
and towns the rights of local
|self government" Later, he told
reporters he urged the same type
|of administration for the coun-
tiles.
The league will conclude its
three-day session today after in
stalling its new president, Mayor
Herbert w. Reichelt of Mount
Rainier.
Hailed by Delegates.
The Governor began his ad-
dress on the findings of the Sobe-
loft Commission, from which
came the home rule suggestion
while Happy Birthday to Teddy
sung by the delegates, echoed
Through the room. A waiter stood
before him balancing huge cake.
Gov. McKeldin observed his SID
birthday anniversary Thursday.
His speech reviewed reports of
the Sobeloff Commission for re-
organization of the State and
commended them to the league
for study and consideration.
Declaring that the present leg
Iislative system requiring the Gen
eral Assembly to pass on minor
local bills is. in some instances,
perfectly ridiculous" the Cover
nor reminded the convention that
the city has had home rule
charter for several years.
Speaks From Experience.
II can assure you from my ex-
Iperience." he said. "how valuable
lit can be to control local matters
through local action rather than
look to Annapolis. The principle
involved here, after all, is similar
to that which causes us to urge
that the functions of the Federal
Iand State governments be kept dis
Itinct."
Another Sobeloff' recommended
ton termed important by the
Governor called for a single unit
in the State Roads Commission
to deal with local governments
and their problems in street and
highway affairs.
Mayor D'Alesandro, principal
speaker at the leagues annual
banquet last night. indorsed both
the principle and practice of self
government. He reminded the
delegates that the league has ap-
proved home rule and urged them
to work for adoption of the con-
stitutional amendment.
Would Keep Debt Power.
The amendment would prohibit
General Assembly action on local
bills, but would continue the Leg
islature's power to fix county and
town tax and debt limits. Home
rule would relieve the General
Assembly of about 10 per cent of
its work load.
Under its provisions, Mayor
ID'Alesandro recited, you will have
freedom of action you will
no longer need the permission of
the entire General Assembly to
hire another clerk or extend a
water main there will be
less danger that the Legislature
will pass a local bill of which you
have no advance knowledge
you will, in brief, be masters in
your own houses"
Baltimore's top official told the
delegates they must be super
statesmen to get General Assembly
approval when the amendment is
considered at the next session.
Legislative bodies" he said,
"are basically jealous of their
power and are not prone to give
it up or delegate it,"
Turning to the subject of tax
alton, the Mayor suggested that
financially hard-pressed towns
adopt another Sobeloff recon-
Imendation. The proposal contem-
plates that municipalities obtain
Legislative authority to impose
special levieS on cigarettes and
alcoholic beverages as Baltimore
has done.
considering our experience, :"
he added, this recommendation
seems to be a reasonable and effec-
tive way to meet future financial
needs"
Panel discussions of town gov
ernmental functions preceded the
Governors remarks. Among group
leaders were Harold J. Hilliard,
clerk-treasurer of Takoma Park,
and Mayor Frank j. Lastner of
Greenbelt.