Evening star., 1952-03-01
Bill for: $500
Teacher Raise
Up 10 Senate
Maryland House
Approves Measure;
Veto Is Expected
BY ]. B. Zutmon
SsoF Staff Correspondent

By ]. B. Zotmcn
Stdr Staff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS. Mar. IA bin
calling for $300-a-year increase
in the State teacher salary scale
today needed only the Senate's
agreement before being sent to
the Governor.
The House passed the measure
last night by an 1923 vote, after
a series of involved parliamentary
during which legisla-
tive experts were called to the
roStrum to explain Just
what the bill meant. 81
To listen to the explanations
the House recessed and then went
into session as a committee of the
whole the first time such action
has been taken in the General
Assembly in nearly 25 years.
Before taking final action the
delegates adopted an amendment
chopping $100 off the $400 figure
contained in the bill when it
passed the Senate on Thursday.
To Cost $5 Million.
They also inserted a clause to
raise teachers automatic annual
increases from $100 a year for Is
years to $3.50 a year for IL years.
A separate bill with identical pro-
visions was passed by the House
and sent to the Governor two
days ago.
Under last nights measure,
which would cost the State nearly
SIS million annually, the Cover
nor would be required to provide
the necessary funds in his budget
for the fiscal year beginning July
l, 1858. This budget will be sent
down when the Legislature meets
next January for 80 days.
A gubernatorial veto is believed
almost certain. however, because
of Gov. McKeldin's repeated state
ments that he believes teacher
salaries are a local responsibility.
Earlier this session, his veto Of
a $500 annual teacher pay raise
bill passed last year was sustained.
That measure would have been
financed by a 1-cent Jump in the
corporation tax. But last nights
bill calls for the necessary money
to come out of the States general
funds.
Another Bill Killed.
During the day, the House Edu-
cation Committee killed another
teacher pay raise bill, sponsored
by Delegate Robert A. Wallace,
Republican. Of Montgomery
County.
Mr.. Wallace also proposed a
$500 increase but wanted to
finance 1t by raising the minimum
county tax for schools from 65 to
80 cents.
In an attempt to forestall the
committees unfavorable action,
the Montgomery delegate SUBJ
mitted an amendment to increase
the minimum county school levy
by only 10 cents. But this, too,
was turned down.
The Commute verbal battle
over the teacher pay bill in the
House was launched by Delegate
William s. James, Democrat. Of
Hartford County, who opposed the
measure. ;
"This legislation leaves to the
misty future just where the money
is coming FROM" he asserted. II
believe in good schools and we'll
paid teachers, but I also believe
in sound budgetary practices"
Some to Be Unaffected.
Another opponent, Delegate
Marvin Mandel, Democrat, Of the
5th Baltimore District, insisted
the teachers of his city and many
counties would not be affected.
because they are already receiving
much more than the bill provides.
Proponents, including Delegate
IS. Fenton Harris, Republican, of
Frederick County, contended that
you can't get good teachers with
out good pay"
Mr.. Wallace said some Of the
bills provisions were unclear and
moved to delay action until Mon
day night. But he was turned
down by a vote of SO to As.
At this point, Delegate Charles
M. See. Republican, of Allegheny
County asked that the House 60
into session as committee of the
whole SO that the bill could be ex-
planned by experts on the matter.
But he lost by a voice vote.
A few minutes later, however.
he renewed his motion and this
time was upheld by a 61-40 vote.
Bill Almost Identical. 3
The House then invited DR.. Carl
EverStine. of the State Depart
ment of Legislative Reference and
Nilsson Raver, executive secretary
of the State Teachers Association
to explain the bill. Both were in
the gallery at the time.
They said the only difference
between the pending bill and that
vetoed by the Governor is that the
new measure has no tax provision
to pay for the increase.
Mr.. Raver, in repsonse to ques-
tions, said teachers in about half j
of Maryland's % counties would 4
benefit directly from the bill. In
the remaining counties and in
Baltimore City, he added, in
creased State aid would go into To-
cal frna cIlrinc no coid n mould ho