11,726

1

correct. Now if I may answer it, let me make my debating

2

statement now. When We had the discussion before our

3

committee by the farmers, and there were many who came to

4

this meeting, they pointed out what their problem was and

5

their problem is simply this. They are caught in a bind.

6

They are operating in an area where it is difficult to make

7

more than a marginal living if their land is assessed in

8

accordance with other adjoining property, not adjoining but

9

property that is rapidly being urbanized, they must give up

10

their farms. The more who give up their farms because of

11

high taxes it means then that others are being forced out of

12

farming, the farming population and uses that are agricultur-

13

al drop more quickly, the land falls into the hands of the

14

speculators because they cannot pay the taxes.

15

Now, what is the relief that they ask for? They

16

had an amendment to the Constitution prepared. That amend-

17

ment was adopted by a gigantic vote, by the people of

18

Maryland, just a few years ago. When this amendment was

19

adopted it used language which the Court of Appeals in

20

interpreting that particular language said in effect: It

21

is agricultural use under the definition within that