Evening star., 1953-01-06
Commission of5
For Mary|and's
Roads Sought
State Senators Ask
New Members, One
From Southern Area
By ]. l. Nichoel

By ]. |. Michoel
Five State Senators will spon-
sor legislation to increase the
membership Of Maryland's Roads
Commission from three to five
and will insist that one new ap-
pointee be q resident Of the
southern peninsula.
Senator John Raymond Fletch-
er. Republican. of Prince Georges
announced the plan today. Sem
ator Fletcher said he decided to
write the bill after he was assured
the backing Of Senators James
B, Monroe. Republican, Charles;
Paul j. Bailey. Republican, st.
Marys; Louis L. Goldstein, Dem
ocrat. Calvert, and Louis N.
Phipps. Democrat. Of Anne Arun-
del County.
The same coalition Of infiuen-
tial legislators bested the Roads
Commission in a stiff fight for a
measure which authorized con-
struction Of the Patuxent River
Bridge.
I'VE expect this time to win
representation on the commits.
sion for Southern Maryland. !"
Senator Fletcher declared, where
the other commissioner comes
from we don't particularly care"
Liquor Law Changes Proposed.
The Prince Georges Senator
also disclosed that he win in
troduce a measure designed to
augment membership Of the
County Board of Education and
outlined proposed changes In
county liquor laws.
Agreement as to what LIQUOR
law legislation he will sponsor
in the General Assembly ses-
sion beginning tomorrow was
reached at a last-minute con-
ference Of the liquor board and
Senator. N
Senator Fletcher pointed out
present law specifies that one
member of the Roads Group
come from Central Maryland,
one from the Western section
and one from the Eastern Shore.
"As matters stand" he said,
Southern Maryland is out In
the cold. How much realize
that when I ride through the
beautiful Eastern Shore and see
those seemingly endless concrete
ribbons stretching out before
me-"
Senator Fletcher said he and
his colleagues are convinced that
a person who lives in the area
and knows its highway reeds
Is better equipped for commits
sion service than any outsider.
no matter how highly qualified.
Senator Monroe agreed. South
ern Maryland should be repre-
sented on the commission" he
said, because roads programs
have become so big and the
amounts involved so large that
all major segments of the State
should have their own spokes-
men," a..
Greenhorne Plan Cited.
Refefring to floods at Peace
CT ross. Senator Fletcher voiced
the opinion that serious consid-
GRAFTON should be given the
Greenhorne plan for elevation Of
Route l at that point. =
I'm sick and tired Of such
conditions" Senator Fletcher de-
clared. while the Greenhorne
proposal may not effect a COM
plete solution. it might be Of
considerable help. In any event,
something must be done this
year."
Senator Fletcher observed.
however, that prevention of re-
curing flooding of the major
artery is the joint responsibility
Of Federal. State and county
governments.
The county should add two
persons to its three-member
Board Of Education, the Sena-
tor said, because all sections
should have a voice In passing
on huge expenditures for ex-
panding facilities. The matter
has been given much thought,
he added. in view of the cur
rent proposal for a five-year
school building program costing
$27.5 million.
Proposed liquor law innovations
agreed upon by the Senator and
the Board of License Commits
sioners include establishment Of
a liquor board Office in the court
house. stated by full time ern-
ployes, additional inspectors, q
partial lifting Of the freeze on
the number Of licenses.
Benefit to Package Stores.
The latter modification would
provide for more permits to
package stores and clubs. es-
pecially veterans organizations.
Another clause would be designed
to protect package stores from
unwarranted competition from
holders Of OF and on sale
licenses.
Other provisions of the meas
ure will seek to ban sale Of alco-
holic beverages closer than 1000
feet from churches and schools.
provide penalties for sales to
drunks and set up rigid license
eligibility requirements. The last
change would be an effort to
prevent issuance Of permits to
persons with criminal records.
Pointing out that the Liquor
Board has no Office and no full
time employees. although its func-
tions produce revenues Of more
than 100000 Q year. Senator
Fletcher said he considers 1t wise
to increase board efficiency and
provide better service to the
public.
That means that liquor licenses
Of all types win cost more. Rates
have not been finally worked