1976 VETOES.

"Seats for Female Employees in Stores or Factories", requir-
ing certain establishments to maintain suitable seats for the
use of female employees.

This bill was introduced for the purpose of repealing certain
sections of the Public Local Laws of Maryland and the Balti-
more City Charter, requiring seats for women employees in
stores and factories. In the introduction and consideration of
the measure in the General Assembly, it was felt that the pro-
visions of the general State law were sufficiently comprehensive
and covered the same subject matter.

Under this belief the enactment now before me was passed
unanimously and no objections were raised until recently when
a public hearing was requested. This hearing has been held
and in the discussion it has developed that the Baltimore City
Charter provisions safeguard the interest of women working in
manufacturing establishments and that these safeguards might
be lost if the bill is repealed. It is interesting to note that the
provisions in question date back to 1882.

I am loath to have any action taken, the effect of which will
be to deprive female employees of protective measures now
provided by law. This would be inconsistent with our policy of
affording even greater safeguards for women in industry. In-
vestigation discloses that, during the increased production
efforts in industry, women employed in plants in Baltimore
City have benefited from the local law now sought to be re-
pealed.

Maryland and District of Columbia Industrial Union Coun-
cil, the Baltimore League of Women Voters, and the Commis-
sioner of Health of Baltimore City all ask that this bill be
vetoed. Accordingly, I am exercising the authority vested in
me to nullify the provisions of this bill, believing that the Leg-
islature had no intention of depriving women of the safeguards
afforded by the existing local laws.

HOUSE BILL 650.

AN ACT authorizing and directing the Police Commissioner of
Baltimore City to pay a pension to George V. Hammen, a
former member of the Police Department of Baltimore City.

This bill would require the Police Commissioner of Balti-
more City to pay a pension to George V. Hammen, a former
member of the Department.

The Police Commissioner of Baltimore City disapproves of
this bill stating that the former officer was paid a lump sum
at the time of his retirement, following a physical injury.