Evening star., 1952-02-22
Warning Of Trouble
Fails 10 Halt Ban on
Free Diplomatic Tags
BY J. B. Zotmon
Sfur Sfoff Corrasnondenf

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. pa bill
which a Prince Georges County
delegate warned would "stir up
trouble" in our relations with
Russia bore the General Assem-
|bly's approval today.
But Immediately after the
House yesterday passed the meas
ure. already approved by the Sen!
ate, several delegates said they
would move to reconsider the ac-
ton.
The bill originally was intended
to give disabled veterans free
automobile tags. It was amended
lin the Senate, however. to pro-
Ihibit free tags for diplomats of
Russia or any of its satellite coun-
tries.
1t was this provision that
brought, the trouble warning from
Prince Georges Delegate Leroy
Pumphrey. Democrat.
Il am afraid some agent will
use this to stir up trouble in our
dealings with the Soviet Union. +"
Mr.. Humphrey asserted. IT don't
want to do anything that might
disturb things in certain quar-
ters."
Dubious Value.
Democratic Majority Leader A.
Gordon Boone of Baltimore
County, contended the amend
ment has little or no value. be-
cause Maryland issues no diplo-
matte tags.
Mr.. Pumphrey insisted. how
ever that he didn't want to poke
up any troubles" and asked that
action be delayed until today so
that legislators could study the
question.
| At this point, Delegate John F.
McNulty. Democrat, of Anne
Arundel County, took the floor to
blast Russia.
Il don't know why we are
lafraid Of insulting the Soviet
Union" he said. 'They have been
insulting and hamstringing us for
number of years, and we've been
coddling them too long"
The House then passed the bill
by a vote OF 80 to 13. Among
those opposing the measure were
delegates Robert A. Wallace and
Julian P. King, Republicans, of
Montgomery County, and Dele
fgates J. Frank Lillard, jr.. and
Harry E. Taylor, jr., Republicans.
OF Prince Georges County. Mr..
Pumphrey did not vote.
Clash Over Secrecy Bill.
Mr.. Pumphrey also figured in a
verbal exchange earlier in the
House Judiciary Committee over
q bill that would require welfare
lists to be made available to the
public. Their publication would
be prohibited in newspapers or
magazines or for Commercial
purposes"
Delegate William S. James.
Democrat. of Hartford County con-
tended publication of the names
lof those on relief would be a
needless embarrassment to the
95 per cent of the welfare cases
which are bona flde."
But Mr.. Pumphrey charged
that rs per cent of all welfare
leases are fakes" and constitute a
drain on the public.
| Chairman Thomas Dempsey
Democrat, of the 3rd Baltimore
district, set another hearing for
Tuesday.
| Meanwhile. the Senate Judi
ciary Committee approved unani-
lmously a proposal to disbar
lawyers found to be subversive.
/ Hyde Explains.
| Senator Dewitt S. Hyde, Repub-
llican, of Montgomery County, ap-
Iparently stated the committees
Ereaction to the measure at the
lclose of a hearing when he said:
/ ut is not SO much that we fear
, amy change in our form Of gov
eminent. 1t is itself revolu-
. Etionary form of government. But
we do fear the methods of the
Communists, who take advantage
Iof our form of government in
their attempts to overthrow It,"
j Senators Hyde and John r.
Fletcher. Republican, of Prince
Georges County, introduced a
resolution requesting the Wash
Iington Suburban Sanitary Com
mission to enlarge its Office build
ling in Hyattsville.
:. They explained legislative ac-
Ition is necessary to permit the
lcoyumiSSion to 90 ahead with