2062 VETOES.

The Attorney General also points out typographical errors
in the measure. While other objections have been voiced to
this Bill, based upon the contention that if it is signed only
employers would be eligible to serve on the Board, practical
and skilled plumbers would be eliminated under the new law.
However, it is unnecessary to pass on this latter contention,
as the invalidity of the Act is passed upon by the State Law
Department.

POLICE BILLS.

Chapter 309 (House Bill 300). A similar Bill, which was
Chapter 622 (House Bill 382) of the 1939 Session, was passed
and vetoed by me.

In exercising my right of veto, the official statement was
made as follows:

"This Bill would make possible an appeal from the
decision of the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City
on the dismissal or suspension of members of the
Police Department. This would be a drastic change
in the system which has obtained and under which the
discipline of the Police Department has been main-
tained for years.

"I consider that the provision of this Bill would
seriously interfere with the powers of the Police Com-
missioner to enforce discipline among the members of
the force and would deprive him of the necessary
authority to regulate the conduct of his subordinates.

" As I am firmly convinced that this measure would be
detrimental to the interests of the Police Department
of Baltimore City, I am compelled to exercise my
veto. "

Inasmuch as the same reasons which prompted my action
two years ago still hold good, I feel again compelled to veto
this proposal. The Police Commissioner states that he "unhesi-
tatingly recommends" that the measure be disapproved.

As is usual at each session of the General Assembly,
proposals were acted on to grant pension allowances to former
members of the Police Department of Baltimore City, or to
their widows. In all of the cases, the circumstances have not
justified the allowance of pension, under the established rules
of the system which have been in force for many years.

The Police Commissioner of Baltimore City has expressed
his disapproval of the measures in question. The fact is that
the Bills were introduced without his approval. Written
statements of fact, based upon the official records of the Police