Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-02

State" address he has prepared fo
today Of the 90-day session of
It is the first time as Gov
compulsory automobile inspec-
ton. always a controversial issue
to the lawmakers. Maryland is
surrounded by States which re-
quire inspection of motor vehi-
Giles.
Whatever may have been our
attitude toward such legislation
IN the past" he said, "the con-
tinuing craze for the conversion
of ancient jalopies to modern
hot rods must convince all of us
that the danger Of death from
mechanical defects is greater
than ever before and that the
state must take steps to bar such
defective equipment from the
public streets and highways. /"
Gov. McKeldin praised the work
of a special Legislative Council
committee. which recommended
an inspection law and other re-
visions. including periodic re-
licensing of drivers, mandatory
driver training courses in schools
and chemical tests for accused
drunken drivers.
Designed as, Guide
The Governor said the report
of the committee. which was
headed by Delegate Edgar P.
Silver, Democrat of Baltimore,
should serve as a highly use
full guide to the accomplishment
of that which must be done now
of our roads are to be dedicated
to their proper uses-and not to
those Of the athletes of the &C.
celerator and the wild asses Of
the macadam who are, in the
main, responsible for the weekly
harvest"
The Governor said he strongly
favors periodic relicensing of
motor vehicle operators, but
questioned whether the COM
mittee's proposal of re-examina-
ton of all licensees each three
years sis either essential or
feasible.
He suggested that the law
makers might want to provide
for determination only of GER
tain age groups or those with
accident records.
The Governor did not speci-
Iflcally indorse any of the COM
lmittee's other recommendations
except its proposal that the
Legislature set up q standing
committee on motor vehicle
laws. Legislative leaders have
indicated that they intend to
create such committee this
session.
Mr.. Keldin also said he was
pleased with the committees
finding that State police force
was woefully undermanned."
More Troopers Sought
The Governor said that in his
proposed State budget he will
send to the Legislature later this
month. provision will be made
for 40 additional State troopers
next fiscal year and 40 more the
following year.
The Governor took issue with
the committees proposal that
the automobile inspections be
made in private garages super
vised by State police. such as
is done in Virginia.
while the vast majority OF
such garage operators are con-
Iscientious and capable men," he
said. there's a history in other
States of the minority who
would approve the vehicle of a
friend or a steady customer
after only a superficial inspec-
ton.
There also is history of those
who would discover nonexistent
mechanical faults in order tc
exploit the vehicle owner.
II urge that. in your delibera-
lions on this matter. you con-
slider Sta te- established ano
State-operated inspection sta.
lions, the costs and maintenance
of which could be liquidated by
the inspection charges thai
would be imposed"
Maryland had a poorly-super-
vised system of motor vehicle in.
spections by private garages back
in the l93Os and it was aban-
doned because of public criticism
Tax Revision Expected
Promising to give further de-
tails on his budget at the time he
presents it, Gov. McKeldin said
he expects to recommend some
adjustment in our tax structure
to make UP for an anticipated 81
million gap between revenues and
expenditures.
He said the new tax that he
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