Evening star., 1953-02-24
Maryland Tax
Action Delayed
Till Tomorrow
lnsureent Moneuver.
To Increase Figure
Muy Defer 1t Longer
By ChorIes [. Hoffmon
Star StcH Correspondent

/ ~ SuOubSS he buVIbUOU
Stor Stuff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 24.-Mary-
landers are unlikely to know
before tomorrow just how much
they can pare OF 1852 State
income taxes due April Is.
And it may be even longer as
IL insurgent Democratic SEN
atorS maneuver to gain support
for their plan to raise the pro-
posed Is per cent cut to 20 per
cent.
Senators John g.. Turnbull Of
Baltimore County and Bernard
s. Melnicove Of Baltimore City,
succeeded last night in getting
the administrations tax slashing
bill held over until today. !,
The two. both members Of the
insurgent bloc, later agreed to
make the bill a special order OF
business for tomorrow because
Of funeral services today for
Delegate George Benson, DEM
ocrat. of Cecil County.
See Other Tax Cuts.
The bloc. which early in the
session unsuccessfully sought to
upset the Senate leadership, also
have indicated 1t may be aiming
at tax cuts on real propertv and
fuel products.
The delaying action followed
an unsuccessful move by Senator
Williams M. Shehan of Talbot
County. also q member of the
insurgents. to have the income
tax bill sent back to committee.
Senators Tlrnbull and Melni-
cove last night continued their
attacks on the Board Of Reve-
nue. Estimates for what they
charge are the boards low esti-
mates Of surplus.
The iboard last Tuesday re-
vised upward by $5.3 million its
estimates Of surplus for the re-
mainder Of fiscal 1888 and
the next fiscal year ending June
80, 1854. The board recommend
ed the Is per cent income tax
cut and a 2-cent slice from
the proposed 11.29-cent property
tax rate.
The two Senators introduced
a resolution to have the Legis-
lature insist on a higher surplus
estimate. The resolution was
referred to the Finance Com
mittee without comment.
Ruling by Attorney General
The Senate today has the ben
eft Of a ruling from Attorney
General Edward D. Rollings that
the General Assembly. can in
crease the amount Of the income
tax cut. But. the opinion added,
the increase can be made only
at the expense of the recon-
mended two-cent cut in real
estate taxes. The resolution was
aimed at holding the cut on
property taxes.
The attorney general pointed
out the General Assembly can
not ''unbaiance the budget" He
added, however, the legislature
may select the class or classes of
taxpayers to be given. relief.
Bill Bars Trucks.
The House, meanwhile, passed
a bill to ban commercial vehicles
from the Baltimore-JeSsup Sec
tor OF the new Baltimore Wash
ington expressway. The action
followed assurances from the
attorney generals Office the bill
would not affect taxicabS, busses
and airline hmousines.
The Federal government al
ready has barred truck traffic
from the Washington end of
the parkway being built at Fed
SId1 cAPSLlS6.
Two bills were introduced in
the Senate last night by Senator
Louis L. Goldstein. Democrat of
Calvert County, to block recur-
renee of his county'S school
deficit of $378,292.
One bill would call for all
county and Baltimore City school
boards to maintain separate bank
accounts for school construction
and current expenses.
The other bill is an emergency
measure which would require the
State to advance funds to Cal
vert County to meet its school
expenses for the balance Of the
year.
The Calvert deficit resulted
when all funds we're kept in one
bank account, and thus money
intended for one purpose was
often used for another, school
'of1cials have explained.
The deficit developed over an
eight-year period. according to
State School Supt. Thomas G.
Pullen. He emphasized no dis.
honesty or fraud was involved.
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