Evening star., 1955-07-30
|McKeIdin Says
He Got No Plea
For ProbeFund
Doubts His Authority
To Eormork Money
For Rouds Inquiry

ANNAPOLIS. July 80 (R.-
Even If Gov. McKeldin had been
asked to provide funds for a Leg
Iislative Council investigation of
the State Roads Commission.
and he says he hasn't-he doubts
his authority to do so.
He said: Although I have not
been asked to provide funds for
such an investigation I must
state in frankness that I doubt
II have any authority to order
funds dedicated to the use Of
one State agency-the roads
Icommission-appropriated to the
use of another-the Legislative
Council"
Certainly If had been asked
to give such an order ! would
not have agreed to 1t under any
circumstances without thorough
ly investigating the legality of
such move.
Rejected by legislature
my doubts, indeed. would
have been multiplied in view of
the fact that the Legislature
itself, in regular constitutional
session. had rejected just such
a proposal"
i At the last session, the Senate
killed a bill which would have
appropriated $50.000 to finance
a study of the SRC.
Gov. McKeldin's statement
that he had not been asked to
provide funds for an investiga-
ton was his answer to a charge
he was trying to "kill of" a
thorough investigation of the
commission "by refusing funds
to the council for such an in
vestigation."
The charge was leveled by
Delegate Simpkins, Democrat Of
Somerset, chairman of the
House Judiciary Committee and
one of the members of the Leg
islative Council who met with
Gov. McKeldin Thursday to dis
cuss the roads commission.
Diversion Move Seen
Mr.. Simpkins added: And CO.
incident with this refusal he has
attempted to divert the investi-
cation and becloud the subject
by referring it to the Green
commission"
Gov. McKeldin said: IT can
assure the members of the Leg
islature and the people of Mary
land that while some are talk
ing in the direction of headlines
the roads commission, the Com
mission on Program, Organiza-
tion and State Finances, the So
called Green commission, and
the Governor will be working
steadily toward the improve
ment of the efficiency of the
commission in its important
work"
Gov. McKeldin,, in asking the
Green commission to make al
study Of the roads group, said he
would give it $4,000 to finance
lit This money will come from
budget funds provided generally
for commissions.
No Funds Requested
He said today. II have not !
been asked by the Legislative
Council or by any group Of per-
sons to provide or direct the
providing of $50, 900 or any other
sum of money for the Legislative
Council to investigate the State
Roads Commission"
During the meeting with Legis-
.lative Council members, he said,
Senator Louis L. Goldstein was
principal spokesman. Mr.. Gold
stein is council president.
He did not mention my max
ing funds available for an inves-
tigation," Gov. McKeldin said.
He also said, Delegate Simp-
kins was present. I do not re-
call his speaking at all except to
answer some question by Senator
Goldstein. know he did not
speak of the providing of funds
for an investigation, because MOI
word of that was spoken at the
meeting.
"Since I never was asked for
funds, I could not have refused
them"
Gov. McKeldin SAID the coun-
Gil members appeared to agree
with him when he said he was
not asking the Green Commits
sion Ito make an investigation
with punitive intent"