Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-07
BY CHARLES L. HOFFMAN


resentatives, Hyde, Republic
can, 9Th district. and Lank-
ford. Democrat. 5th. voted
against the bill as it went
down TO defeat 1892.
The House Democratic lead
ership Immediately charged
that lobbyists-by intimation,
the trucking industry - had
killed the bill.
Stote's l2-Yedr Plan
Maryland itself Is engaged
now in a 12-year road program
expected to restore the State
to the highway supremacy 1t
held in the late 20's.
When the massive road pro-
gram was put forth three years
ago it was proposed virtually
on a go-it-alone basis.
To finance the State system,
the Roads Commission figured
that only $3.50 million would
be forthcoming from the Fed
eral government.
Federal aid for all roads
including rural and urban not
a part Of the 12-year program
would amount to only about
$50 million, the commission
said at the time.
Authorities. however, esti-
mated that under the highway
bill killed by the House, Mary
land would have got $44S mil
lion over the IL years for mod
ernizing and extending the
Federal interstate system of
highways.
For this windfall the State
would have had to put UP
only about $50 million.
At the same time, Maryland
could have anticipated receiv-
ing another 500 million from
Washington for its other
roads. This would have been
matched equally by the State.
In short, for q cost to Mary
land Of $50 million the State
would have been set OF on
"a s700 million road program
that combined with present
projects would have dwarfed
the States massive and highly
touted 12-year plan.
Such a program would have
been a tremendous shot in the
arm for the slow-moving new
National Pike, the Inter-
county Circumferential high
way in nearby Maryland and
the Baltimore belt route, Off
Gals say. 1t also would have
relieved tension on financing
the present State program-a
continuing controversy in the
Legislature.
Maryland roads officials on
their own have, however, seen
the powerful work of the
trucking industry both as
friend and foe.
Lobbies at Work
The trucking lobby is
classed alongside--or perhaps
above-other powerful forces
always at work in the State
Legislature, such as the alco-
holic beverage and petroleum
industries. tobacco producers,
railroads and utilities and race
tracks.
The strength Of these lob
bies is evidenced in that any
revenue bill affecting the
liquor industry goes to the
House Alcoholic Beverage
Committee instead of the ways
and means committee, the
fiscal watchdogs.
At times. the assignment of
bills reaches an absurdity such
as happened last year when
Speaker John Luber sent to
the Alcoholic Beverage Com
mittee a bill that would have
removed appliances from the
operation OF Fair Trade, laws.
Why? The bill was an
amendment of the Fair Trade
law which also covered alco-
holic beverages.
Some Of these Hobbies, in
Guiding the truckers, are in
for a rough time next Febru-
airy when legislators seek
sources of some $35 million
in new or increased taxes.
For example, legislators will
learn that beer-"the poor
mans champagne" as it is re-
ferred to in the General
Assemblies taxed in Mary
land at only SO cents a barrel
(3l gallons.
The average throughout the
Nation is $685. and even for all
States bordering Maryland,
$2.87 a barrel. Doubling the
Maryland tax would raise
nearly 50 million.
The legislators also are 60
ing TO have to consider that
the State is one Of only six
that have no tax on cigarettes.
The average is slightly more
than 3 cents a pack and
the District Of Columbia COL
lects Q cents. A 2-cent tax
in Maryland would raise Sc
million.
Maryland--at 10 percent-is
on the low side nationally Of
the rakeoff on parimutuel
pools taken by State and the
race track operators. The
range nationally is from 10 to
is per cent.
If it could get by the racing
interests. a substantial \ in
crease might be arranged for
the mar ravt Ctotn foLn u,l,ts