Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-23
voting-at-1S
Bill Blocked
In Maryland
Senate Ties, l4-14,
On Measure After
Lengthy Debote
By Gene Goodwin

parently is dead for this session
Of the Legislature.
It failed on a tie l4-14 vote
in the State Senate last night.
after one Of the lengthiest de-
bates Of this session.
Since the bill involves a Con-
stitutional amendment and an
18-vote majority is required. it
is not likely that sponsors will
be able to revive the measure.
Senator Paul j. Bailey. Re-
publican. of st. Marys. who led
the fight for the legislation last
night. said today he doesn't see
how it would be possible to pick
up four more votes.
THE Democrats ganged up on
US" he commented.
Similar Mills Bottled Up.
There are two similar bills in
the House, but they are still bot
tied up in committee.
Mr.. Bailey told the Senate last
night. 10. 10 and 20-year-old
voters would give Maryland "a
fresh viewpoint"
Speaking against the bill were
Senate President George w.
: Della, Senators John @. Turnbull,
Democrat, of Baltimore County.
and Louis N. Phipps, Democrat,
of Anne Arundel County.
Mr.. Turnbull suggested that
1t might be a better idea to raise
the voting age.
Mr.. Phipps pointed out that
Georgia is the only State which
has lowered the voting age to
IS. Are the laws of Georgia any
criterion for Maryland?" he
asked.
Senator Della. Baltimore City
Democrat, said the bill may be
breaking down the morals of
our youth" by permitting them
to visit pool halls. night clubs
and other establishments from
which they are now banned"
Maryland regards males under
81 as minors as far as the sale
of liquor is concerned.
Fletcher Switches Vote.
Senator j. Raymond Fletcher.
Republican, of Prince Georges,
voted against the bill In the
Judiciary Committee because. he
said, he had not received any
correspondence or telephone calls
on the legislation. And my
county has some Of the most
expressive people in this State"
he added.
But he decided to switch his
vote in favor of the bill, he said,
because the issue eventually
would be decided at the polls
next November by persons over
81. Constitutional amendments
have to be approved in a refer
endum.
Senator Anders r. Lofstrand.
Republican. of Montgomery, also
voted for the bill.
The House had a debate last
night, too. before it voted, 66-47,
to adopt the Ways and Means
Committees favorable report on
the So-called Share-the- wealth
bill. That's the measure to allow
all counties and Baltimore City
to tax the personal property of
utilities located within their
boundaries. The tax is now COL
lected only where the home Of
fees Of the utilities are located
Baltimore City and three coun-
ties.
It is estimated that the bill
would bring in an extra $94, 100
to Montgomery County when it
takes effect in 1857 and $87, 300
to Prince Georges.
Auto Responsibility Voted.
The Senate yesterday gave
preliminary approval to a bill
designed to promote compulsory
insurance on automobiles and
trucks. It would require a
driver to prove he is financially
responsible within 10 days after
conviction Of any. moving viola
ton - that would include a
speeding conviction-and failure
to do so would mean loss of his
license. The Senate approved
the measure, 20-4.
The Senate also set up for
final passage a bill exempting
all Maryland boats under 100
feet long from the personal
property tax after being assured
by Senator Bailey that George
Washington would have been
for it.
In q more serious vein, Mr..
Bailey said the rich boat owner
could avoid the tax because it
applies only to boats kept in
Maryland waters for at least
six months out Of the year. But
the poor working watermen. he
added. has his boat tied up in
front Of his waterfront house
and the tax assessor can't. miss
It,"
Meanwhile. Senator D. Ken
meth Mclaughlin, Republican.
OF Washington County, intro
duced q bill toTepeal the refunds
that boat owners now get on
the State gasoline tax. Last
year, almost $780, 900 in gasoline
tax payments was refunded to
boat owners on the theory that.
since boats don't use the high
ways. they shouldn't have to help
pay for them.
Fire Destroys Hons