HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. ' 1987

returned to this Commission and a report made of the unsold
licenses. The same applies to the Auditor's Office. When
they audit our books and the Comptroller's books on angler^s
and hunter's licenses, our figures must agree.

"Under these two Bills the Comptroller's Office nor this De-
partment would not have any check whatever on, the licenses
furnished by the Clerks of the Courts of Washington and
Allegany Counties. These Bills were amended by the County
Delegation by adding Garrett County to same. •"•'•

"We think it is very unfair legislation and if persons over 65
years of age in the respective Counties are to be furnished
gratis angler's and hunter's licenses, then why not furnish them
gratis automobile licenses and trader's licenses? As you are
aware, there are a great many persons over 65 years of age at
present drawing State old-age pension and it does not s&em
fair that those persons in addition to others should be supplied
with gratis licenses.

"The question in our mind is, if the language used in Senate
Bill No. 81, Chapter 708, which is State-wide in effect, would
not supersede House Bill No. 273, Chapter 471, and House
Bill No. 274, Chapter 472. We would appreciate your vetoing
these two Bills. "

The State Law Department also expresses doubt as to 'the
validity of the Bills in question on the grounds that they are
discriminatory.

The Maryland State Game and Fish Protective Association,
which is actively interested in conservation, likewise asks that
these two Bills be vetoed.

In view of all of the aforegoing, I feel obliged to disapprove
both measures. i

Chapter 924 (Senate Bill 563). This measure relates to the
use of pound or stake nets in certain waters of Cecil County.

Because of its possible effect on existing measures and regu-
lations of the State Game and Inland Fish Commission, I re-
quested a comment from this agency. The State Game Warden,
E. Lee LeCompte, has written me as follows:

"Senate Bill No. 563 repeals Section 35 of Article 39. This
section was enacted by Section 31, Chapter 471, Acts of 1929,
and is Section 35 in Volume 1 of the Code of Public Laws of
Maryland, 1939 edition. This section provided riparian rights
to owners of properties bordering on the waters in Cecil
County and provides that persons desiring to set fish nets on
waters opposite shore-owners' riparian rights must have the
consent in writing from such owner.

"Section 24 of Article 39 provides a riparian owner shall
first be entitled to the use of the waters in front of his property
for fishing and included Cecil County therein. Therefore, Sen-