Evening star., 1953-03-14
Senate Delays
Bill for Liquor
Border Patrol
Maryland Measure
Aimed at Hating
Imports From D. c.
By Gene Goodwin
Stor Sfof Corraspencianf


ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 14.-The
Maryland Senate has delayed
action on bill aimed at setting
up border patrol to stop trans
portation of liquor into the
State from the District.
The measure to create a
special alcohol tax enforcement
unit was recommitted to the
Senate Judiciary Committee yes
terday by a vote of Is to IL.
Just before that, the Senators
rejected the committees un-
favorable report on the bill by
a 1910 vote.
The special police unit bill
and a companion measure
already have passed the House.
Both bills have the backing of
the Maryland Retail Package
Liquor Dealers Association,
which contends that Maryland
loses annually about $5O0,00O in
taxes from persons who buy the
less expensive beer and liquor
sold in the District and consume
it across the line in Maryland.
Could Halt Importation.
The bill acted on yesterday
specifies that the special police
unit would be charged with halt
ing the illegal importation Of
alcoholic beverages in any guam
tity. Present law allows a person
to carry one bottle across the
line, according to Albert Block
of the Liquor Dealers Associa-
tion.
The companion measure, rest
ing in the Senate Finance Com
mittee. would prohibit out-of-
State liquor stores from solicit
ing in Maryland, either by mail,
personal contact or newspaper
advertising.
The most outspoken opponent
of the border patrol bill yester-
day was Senator Leroy w. Pres
ton, Democrat. of Baltimore City,
who said the special alcoholic
beverage agents would have to
stop every car because the bill
lis really aimed at persons bring
ing in one or two bottles"
Strong Lobby Charged.
Il don't want that kind of
snooping," he added. "An ex-
tremely strong lobby g.. has
moved heaven and earth in the
last "a hours to get this bill
through" 1t was clear he
referred to Maryland liquor
dealers.
Senator Paul j. Bailey, Re-
publican, of st. Marys County,
speaking for the bill, declared:
Lets be honest. If we're for
the present law (banning trans
portation of more than one bottle
of liquor into Maryland), let's
enforce it. If not, let's repeal.
it. But let's be men about it,"
Senators John R. Fletcher, Re-
of Prince Georges and
Anders R. Lofstrand, jr., Re-
publican. of Montgomery voted
against the border patrol bill on
both roll calls. The motion to
recommit the measure to the
committee was made by Senator
Neil c. Fraley, Republican, of
Garrett County. He said he
wanted to propose an amend
ment.
Parkway Gets Setback.
The proposed Chesapeake &
Ohio Canal parkway between
Cumberland and Hancock re-
ceived another setback yester-
day, when Senator Lofstrand
brought out an amendment that
virtually would kill the project if
adopted.
The amendment would require
the Federal Government-pres-
ent owner of the old canal-to
give the canal tract from Han
cock TO the District back to
Maryland before any work could
be started on the Hancock-to-
Cumberland section.
After seeing a copy of the
amendment, Senate Minority
Leader Robert B. Kimble, spon-
sor of the bill to authorize the
project, put off consideration of
the measure until next Tuesday.
A proposal to establish a school
OF veterinary medicine at the
University of Maryland was
turned down by the Senate, on
advice of the Finance Commit
tee. Committee Chairman Louis
L. GoldStein, Democrat, of CAL
vert said it would cost the State
$1.8 million for the buildings
alone and another $195,OOO a
year to operate. He said it is too
much money.
The House, meanwhile. gave
final passage to a bill calling for
issuance of only one auto license
plate in the future. Motorists
are getting only one this year
because of a steel shortages but
It was intended to return to the
two-tag system next year.
The tag bill now goes to the
Governor, along with another
measure by Mr.. Loftstrand. per-
hitting motorists to obtain dupli-
cate registration cards for 81.