Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-11
Probe Voted
Into Maryland
Roads Group
Legislative Council
To Study Commission
DESPITE McKeIdin

CUMBERLAND, Md, Aug. ii
lR.-The Legislative Council
voted last night to investigate
!, the State Roads Commission
with or without financial help
from Gov. McKeldin.
BY a vote of 1873. council MEM
beers voted to forego their pay for
attending council activities in
order to launch the investiga-
ton in the event the Governor
and the State Roads Commission
refuse to put up funds.
They estimate they could raise
between 5000 and $4,000 in
this manner to get the inquiry
started.
I The action. spearheaded by
determined Democrats, came as
the council arrived here for a
four-day tour of Western Mary
land.
Democrats, obviously irked at
Coy. McKeldin's decision to let
the recently appointed Green
Commission study" organization
and procedures of the Roads
Commission. accused the Chief
Executive of "pussy-footing" and
administration film fiam."
AsLod cog am
Delegate Jerome Robinson,
Democrat. of Baltimore, ap-
pointed by the Governor to the
Green Commission on State
Planning. Programs and Finance,
introduced the resolution which
requests that the State Roads
Commission make available to
the Legislative Council the sum
Iof $4,000 as an initial sum to
, launch the investigation, such
sum not to exceed an aggregate
of $4,000"
/ On the motion of Senator
Turnbill, Democrat, of Balti-
more County, chairman of the
Senate Finance Committee, coun-
Gil members amended the reso-
luton to stipulate they would
Iforego their own per diem pay
mentS of $40 day between now
and the next session of the
Legislature as an alternate fund
to start the investigation if Gov.
McKeldin and the SRC do not
come forth with a budget amend
ment.
Senator Turnbull figured this
would raise $500 to $4,000
with which the council could
start a study and could employ
proper assistance"
On the original motion by
Mr.. Robinson, two Democrats
Senator Didomenico, Democrat.
OF Baltimore. and Delegate Buff
flngton, Democrat, of Baltimore
joined the three Republicans
present in voting against it.
They said they did not feel
the council could properly under
take the investigation, since a
similar move had been turned
down in the last Legislature.
However, when it passed, both
voted with the overwhelming
Democratic majority to forego
their pay to finance the probe if
necessary.
Senator Monroe, Republican
OF Charles-who called the move
politically inspired and ridicu-
lous and childlike"-and Dele
gates Ray Barnes, Republican of
Carroll, and Driscoll, Republican
OF Aliegany. voted against the
motion.
Cites Sentiment
Mr.. Robinson said in introduce
ing the resolution that strong
sentiment for an investigation
OF the State Roads Commission 8
1858 million highway program
and its execution has been evil
dent for a year"
He said during the Legislature
that Gov. McKeldin and Repub-
lican leaders said they would
welcome an investigation of the
SRC, that there was nothing to
hide, and then turned around
and fought proposed legislation
!. which would accomplish this.
Delegate Boone, Democrat of
Baltimore County, House ma
lority leader, said in response to
Senator Monroe's charge of
politics that if it had become a
+ political issue it was because Of
Gov. McKeldin's actions.
, Coy. McKeldin should be
! censured for this administrative
film fam" he said. He said at
, one time. as has been pointed
/ out, he would welcome an in
, vestigation,
Il say the time has come to
take off the gloves. That gentle
man owes a public duty to the