1858 VETOES

SENATE BILL NO. 165

May 6, 1953

Honorable George W. Della
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

Senate Bill No. 165 is a companion measure to Senate Bill
No. 164 and would relieve from toll charges on the Susque-
hanna River Bridge, motor vehicles owned by either Cecil
or Harford Counties or agents thereof, or vehicles used as
an ambulance or fire truck operated for public use on a non-
profit basis. The effective date of this act is June 1, 1953.
It would consequently be in violation of the terms of the
trust indenture dated October 1, 1948, whereby there can
be no reduction of tolls on this bridge until at least two years
after the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The At-
torney General advises that this provision renders the Bill
unconstitutional as impairing the obligation of a contract.
I am therefore vetoing the Bill.

It should be noted that provision has heretofore been made
by agreement of the State Roads Commission and the Trus-
tees whereby fire apparatus and ambulances belonging to
fire companies cross the bridge without payment of tolls.

Respectfully,

(s) THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor
TRMcK: R

SENATE BILL NO. 166

May 5, 1953

Honorable George W. Della
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

Senate Bill No. 166 provided for the issuance of special
automobile tags to operators of vehicles equipped with a
mobile radio unit. The tag would carry the official call let-
ters of the applicant instead of the usual tags for other