Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-03
Session Opens .
z ~
AT Annapolis as
Split Is Avoided
Democrats Agree
On Della and Luber
As Assembly Chiefs
By Gene Goodwin
SfoE Stoff CORRESPONDENT

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 3.-The
Maryland General Assembly
opened its 320th session here to-
day with the election-c conscious
Democratic majority in at least
temporary agreement as to who
their leaders would be.
Senator George w. Della,
Democrat. of Baltimore, was
scheduled to be reelected presi-
dent of the Senate.
Delegate John C.. Luber,
Democrat. of Baltimore. was in
line for his fourth term az
speaker Of the House.
Deadlocked Threatened.
For awhile last night, when
the 10 Democratic Senators
opened their caucus here, it ap-
peared the stage was being set
for a repetition of the deadlock
that delayed the opening Of the
1853 Legislature for a week.
The first two caucus ballots
went 8-to-8 for Mr.. Della and
Senator C. Ferdinand Sybert Of
Howard County. who opposed
Mr.. Della in the weary stalemate
Of last year.
Then a l5-minute recess was
called and a compromise was
worked out in the corridors. Mr..
Sybert withdrew in the name Of
party harmony. The vote on the
third ballot reported was 1910.
Mr.. Sybert is one of the leaders
Of the bloc of Democratic insurg-
ents who revolted in the last ses-
sion against what they called the
Old Guard. More than 10 ball
lots were taken at the opening
of the 1858 session before Gov.
McKeldin broke the deadlock by
ordering the II Republican Sen.
ators to vote for Mr.. Della.
SyDeTt comments.
Mr.. Sybert told reporters, after
last nights closed caucus. he be-
lieves cit behooves the Demo-
cratic Senators to present a unit
ed front as an example to all the
Democrats in the State in the
coming election"
Mr.. Della would not disclose
his choices for the two key
Senate committee chairmanships.
He was expected, however. to re-
appoint Senator Louis L. Gold
stein. Democrat, of Calvert
County. as majority leader and
head Of the powerful Finance
Committee. The odds also IA
vored the selection of Senator
John Grason Turnbull, Demo-
crat, of Baltimore County, for
chairman of the Judiciary Com
mittee.
After House and Senate lead.
erS are officially named today.
Tire lawmakers were scheduled to
reconsider AZ measures vetoed by
Gov, McKeldin after the last
session. Most controversial Of
these is bill raising the State
liquor tax from SIPS to $3.50 a
gallon, with so cents of the new
tax reverting to the counties and
Baltimore City.
McKeldin to Offer Budget.
Gov. McKeldin was ready to
present his budget message to
the Assembly, but he probably
won't get that opportunity until
tonight. 1t was expected that
all of the day session would be
taken up by debate and votes on
the vetoed bills.
The House organized with a
minimum of difficulty, after q
threatened revolt by Delegate
A. Gordon Boone, Democrat, of
Baltimore County, failed to ma
terialize. Mr.. Boone had his eye
on the Democratic floor leaders
job. which he held during the
1852 session.
In exchange for solid support
from the 26 Eastern Shore dele
gates. however, Mr.. Luber &C
copied as his floor leader Dele.
gate c. Audry THOMPSON. 38.
year-old Cambridge lawyer.
The Republicans, meanwhile,
caucused in Baltimore and
agreed to stay with their leaders
OF last sesSion-Senator Robert
B. Kimble of Allegany County
for Senate minority leader and
Delegate Arthur H. Green Of
Garrett County for House min.