Evening star., 1952-11-23
Group TO Watch
For Sneak Bills
In Maryland
Municipal League
Told of Plans by
Mayor D'AIesondro
BY }. l. MichoeI
Stor Stcff Correspondent

AAA0G4e0 Mu., INV. 11.
Plans for an informal watchdog
committee to keep unwanted local
bills from sneaking through the
Maryland General Assembly were
revealed today.
Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro of
Baltimore told the Maryland Mu-
nicipal League meeting here that
his city will have four or five at
torneyS stationed at the Carvel
Hall Hotel in Annapolis during
the 1858 session of the Legislature
opening January Z.
He said the attorneys will scru-
tinize every bill introduced at the
90-day session and will notify
municipal officials of any bills af-
fecting their communities which
seem to need special attention.
Mayor D'Alesandro disclosed his
plan in commenting on proposals
for governmental reforms made
by the Sobeloff Commission for
Reorganization of the State. He
said some legislative bills being
drawn up to implement the re-
ports of the commission seem to
differ with the commissions rec
concentrations.
Reichelt New President.
Mayor D'Alesandro was re-
elected chairman of the leagues
executive council in balloting at
the organization final session of
its three-day convention yester-
day. which saw Mayor Herbert W.
Reichelt of Mount Rainier ele-
waited to the presidency.
Herman L. Mills, mayor of
HagerstoWn, immediate past presi-
dent and host to the 1872 delegates
from SO cities and towns, handed
the gavel to his successor. Mayor
Mills was given rising vote of
thanks for his successful conduct
of the organization and for his
city's hospitality.
For their next president, the
town and city officials plucked
from the Eastern Shore League
vice president, A. Hartley Stevens,
mayor of Snow Hill. He will begin
his one-year term next November
at the units 1853 convention in
Baltimore. The League will next
meet in general session at Ocean
City in June.
Mayor Reichelt described the
possibility of a move to reduce
State Sherbow fund allotments
to towns and cities as the most
important matter to come before
the convention.
From Special LevieS.
Sherbow funds are monies that
the State collects from such
sources as gasoline taxes and other
special levies. A portion of this
money is refunded to the counties
and towns wherein it was COL
lected, after deduction of collec-
ton costs.
Funds from that source are
the life blood of the municipali-
ties" Mr.. Reichelt said, land
their loss or reduction in any ap-
preciable amount would wreck
municipal finances"
MisgivIngS arose when delegates
scanned a recommendation in the
third report of the Sebeleff Com
mission. The report suggested
that a few miner levies such as
license fees and admission taxes,
be collected locally rather than by
the State. The commission eX-i
planned that such procedure should
increase town revenue because the
States collection cost averaged II
per cent.
Gov. Mckeldin told the conven-
ton the plan would not lower local
revenues. So did Mayor D'Alesan-
dro.
But despite these assurances,
stiff floor debates ensued when a
resolution for Endorsement of the
plan to collect Sherbow funds
locally was presented. The dele
gates showed their uneaSiness that
some twist OF turn something is
about to be taken away from their
government.
Delegates from some of the
smaller towns who were Skeptlcal
of the proposal explained they be-
lieved the cost would not Justify
collection of such taxes locally.
Adopted With Proviso.
The resolution, previously kicked
about in open and executive meet,
ings, finally was adopted lin prin-
ciple." But with the proviso that
the league opposes any diversion
of Sherbow funds to help finance
the States new 12-year road pro-
gram ''or for any other purpose. =
A resolution offered by Mayor
Ross H. Beville of Takoma Park
was approved. 1t suggests legisla-
ton giving towns traffic control
on all local streets except those
in which the State in interested.
Mayor Donald B. Rice of Fred
erick, chairman of the resolutions
committee, remarked that in his
opinion traffic signs erected in sew
eral towns on other than State
highways are illegal. Frederick. he
said, has not adopted such prac-
tice because of its doubtful legal
ity.
The convention took no action
on a new teacher pay raise plan
was indorsed here by Gov. Nc
Keldin. The Governor said that
the new plan would cost the State
S1.2 million in the first year and
that it would provide an actual
increase"
Under the bill he vetoed last
year. the Governor declared, the
teachers would have received
practically nothing"
Other officers elected yesterday
include:
Executive council members at
large-Arthur G. Ellington, mayor
of Annapolis and Vincent Simmel
of Cottage City.
Vice preSidents-Mr. Bevllle and
Nv D;no Eroacrick