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ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1365

to me much better to leave the subject to the Commission's
discretion on the present basis.

SOMERSET COUNTY ROAD BILL.
(Chapter 265, Senate Bill 298.)

The Somerset County Road law provides for a county
road engineer to be appointed by the State Roads Commis-
sion. Senate Bill 298 suspends, until October 31, 1935, the
provisions of the local law relating to the road engineer.
This would put his functions back into the hands of the
County Commissioners. The Somerset County road law has
worked satisfactorily for nine years, and there does not
seem to be any object in changing it now, particularly when
under the new State law the State Roads will, to an increased
extent, have charge or supervision over county road work.

TAX EXEMPTION—BOY SCOUTS.
(Chapter 457, House Bill 357.)

This bill provides for a new exemption from State and
County taxes in favor of property owned by or held in trust
for Boy Scout organizations or councils.

I do not think it is within the power of the Legislature to
grant an arbitrary tax exemption to a particular organiza-
tion.

For this reason, the bill will be vetoed.

TAX REDEMPTIONS—ALLEGANY COUNTY.
(Chapter 497, House Bill 594.)

This bill provides that before selling property purchased
at a tax sale, the County Commissioners of Allegany County
shall first give notice to the previous owner, and permit
such owner to redeem the property upon paying a sum
equivalent to the price paid by the County Commissioners,
plus taxes and public liens and the additional sum of 6 per
centum per annum.

This bill is in conflict with the provisions of the State-
wide law covering tax redemptions (Section 78, Article 81
of the Code), which provides for redemption within a year
upon payment of the amount paid by the purchaser, with