Evening star., 1952-11-22
|Mcke|din Joins
D'A|esandro in
Home Rule Plea
Municipal League
Urged to Support
Move in Maryland
By }. L. MichoeI
Stor Stoff Correspondent

by }. L. Michoel
Stor Stoff Correspondent
HAGERSTOWN, Md. Nov. a.
Strong pleas by Gov. McKeldin
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:
Il 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-
ties.
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 a huge cake.
Gov. McKeldin observed his SD
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
islative 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 a home rule
charter for several years.
Speaks From Experience.
II can assure you from my ex-
perience." he said, chow valuable
it 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
and State governments be kept dis
tinct."
Another Sobeloff recommends
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
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
of about 70 per cent Of
it's work load.
Under its provisions, Mayor
D'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
water main there will be
less danger that the Legislature
will pass 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
they must be super
statesmen to get General Assembly
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,"
Special Levies Backed.
Turning to the subject of tax
alton, the Mayor suggested that
financially hard-pressed towns
adopt another Sobeloff recon-
nendation. The proposal contem-
plates that municipalities obtain
legislative authority to impose
special levies on cigarettes and
beverages as Baltimore
1as done.
considering our experience"
re added, this recommendation
seems to be a reasonable and effec-
i've way to meet future financial
leeds."
Panel discussions of town gov
functions preceded the
remarks. Among group
eaders were Harold j. Hilliard.
Jerk treasurer Of Takoma Park,
md Mayor Frank j. Lastner Of