1916J OF THE SENATE. 665

cents less than the old and that would gradually be diminished
until the year 1981. As against it, I urged that a speedy uni-
form tax rate should extend over Baltimore city—of course,
as an obstructionist standing against the welfare of my peo-
ple. I urged this as the highest principle of justice, and this
morning the sponsors of the other Bill proposed to reduce
this difference in rate from ninety-five cents to seventy-four
cents. Thank God for that much gotten from them; and to
reduce the time when the tax rates would merge from the
year 1981 to 1962. That is the proposal to me now. The first
compromise which has been offered. I would like to have the
opportunity of discussing the merits of these Bills and the
amendments in this Senate or the Committee, but there seems
to be nothing but a movement for delay, and I warn the
Senate today, and I want to warn through the Senate and
from my speech at this moment, the people of Baltimore, that
annexation is approaching defeat by delay. I want to state
these facts to the Senate. I want to further state what it is
behind this movement, and as I have been struck I will strike
back.

The Baltimore Sun is largely owned by two estates that
comprehend one-fifteenth of all the land we will take in under
any Annexation Bill. That is one fact for you to remember.
The Evening News has its owners and managers in the Guil-
ford development and the Roland Park interests that are be-
hind that Bill. I want to draw attention to that fact I want
to state that the American has been the "greaser" for some
years past of the city's administration and has been fattened
with its public advertisements. I do not know more than that?
but I want to state my side, and when I am charged with lies,
when I am charged by the Press with obstructing this legis-
lation intended for the city I represent, I propose to state the
facts to the Senate and let them know that it is against my
continued protest that these Bills are not today presented to
the Senate of Maryland for an open discussion in this body.

By Mr. Allen:

In explaining my vote on Senate Bill No. 76, permit me to
say that when this Bill was before the Senate some weeks
ago, I voted for it, though reluctantly, I have always looked
with caution upon any attempt to allow the executive branch
to overlap the legislative branch of the State government.
However, I then thought that good results would follow and
voted for the Bill. I have waited for committee reports show-
ing the sources of revenue and the demands for appropria-
43