Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-29
Prince Georges,
Montgomeryot
Odds on Tuxes
BY CHARLES L. HOFFMAN

Montgomery and Primo
Georges Democratic delegations
are likely to be at odds on two
major bills affecting the pocket
books of suburban Maryland
residents when the General AS
sembly opens Wednesday.
The bills involved. both vetoed
by Gov. McKeldin, would give
Montgomery County authority
to impose a tax on cigarettes
and would increase automobile
registrations fees.
Montgomery County Chairman
Blair Lee Sd said his delegation
would seek to override the Gig
arctic tax veto but anticipates
rough shedding because of op-
position from tobacco growing
counties.
Prince Georges County is in
the latter category and its dele
cation will vote to sustain the
veto imposed by the Governor
because. he said. the bill provides
for no maximum tax.
2-Cent Tax Considered
Montgomery has considered q
two-cent-a-pack tax equal te
that In the District Of Columbia
which officials say would bring
in 100000 to 100000 a year.
But Prince Georges County
will vote to override the Govern
ors veto Of the Eastern Shore
backed bill to delay for another
year an increased auto registra-
ton fee.
The State would net an esti-
mated 81 million annually under
the proposed new fees of $40
and $50. Present fees are SIS
for light cars and $23 for heavy
ones.
The Montgomery delegation
which originally supported the
bill, Is not certain of what stand
1t will take on the veto.
Mr.. Lee said the delegation
may vote to sustain the veto on
grounds the county would bene-
fit in new roads.
Allied on School Issue
Top interest among vetoed bills
for both delegations IS one which
would increase the States in
centive fund payments for school
construction by some $4.5 mil
lion.
Both delegations will vote to
override the veto which would
increase the allotment from $40
to $40 pupil. Montgomery
County. which last year got only
about $4,000 from the fund,
would receive an additional
$3.50, 900 If the bill becomes law.
Prince Georges would fare even
better.
Mr.. Wilkinson said a joint
delegation meeting probably will
be held Wednesday to determine
what action will be taken on bills
affecting the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
Mr.. Lee said Montgomery leg
islators reluctantly" are ready
to sustain the Governors veto
Of the Planning Commission
reorganization bill because of the
position Of Attorney General C.
Ferdinand Sybert. He supports a
contention of the Planning Com
mission that the bill is invalid
because of the failure of the
Senate journal to show that rules
were suspended during its con-
sideration to permit two readings
the same day.
Another Bill Involved
Sustaining this veto also would
mean that a companion bill to
expand the commissions juris-
diction will be permitted to die,
Neither delegation is planning
To introduce any major local leg
islation in the 30-day session.
Mr.. Lee. however, said he plans
to introduce a bill to abolish the
States nonresident income tax.
His measure would be of a reci-
procal measure applying to res
tdents Of those states which
grant the same release to Mary
land residents.
Mr.. Lee added that, If emer-
gencies arise. the Montgomery
delegation will try to introduce
bills to clarity the Peoples Court
law in Montgomery and to
handle problems that might arise
after the Capital Transit fran
chise expires in the District of
Columbia on August IA.