ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1363

The Motor Vehicle Commissioner advises me that the task
of ascertaining whether applicants under this provision are
really residents of Westminster or Easton would involve so
much delay and investigation that it would be impracticable
for him to assume it. For this reason, the bill will be
vetoed.

POTOMAC RIVER.
(Chapter 239, Senate Bill 127.)

This bill authorizes the fixing and marking of a line on
the Maryland side of the Potomac River, and makes it un-
lawful to dredge or scrape oysters at any season of the year
from the waters north of this line. The bill contemplated the
passage of Senate Bill 164, opening the Potomac River to
dredging. The Conservation Commissioner advises me that
inasmuch as the latter bill did not pass, there is no need for
Senate Bill 127, so this measure will be vetoed.

PRACTICING LAW WITHOUT ADMISSION
TO THE BAR.

(Chapter 176, House Bill 202.)

The existing law (Article 10, Section 19 of the Code)
makes it a misdemeanor for any person to receive from any
person whatsoever any fee for his advice as an attorney at
law without having been admitted to the Bar.

House Bill 202 makes it unlawful for any person or corpo-
ration to receive, directly or indirectly, from any other per-
son or corporation whatsoever any fee for the advice or
service of an attorney at law, when such person shall not
have been admitted to the Bar.

While the purpose of this bill may be quite different, yet
its provisions raise the question whether, if this bill is ap-
proved, title companies, which by the existing law (Article
27, Section 19 of the Code) may examine and insure titles,
would hereafter in so doing, be really practicing law, and
thus be subject to the penalties of this bill.

The object of House Bill 202, as explained to me, is to
cover one exceptional case, but I do not believe this is im-
portant enough to run the risk to the established title com-
pany business which the possibility just suggested would
involve. Indeed, it seems to me that the case in question
could be met by disciplinary action, without legislation.