1950 VETOES.

ing from the present law, which has prevailed for more than
half a century. Therefore, I have vetoed House Bill No. 194.

PENSIONS

SENATE BILL No. 401

AN ACT to authorize and direct the County Commissioners of
Anne Arundel County to pay a pension to Mrs. Juliet D.
Strahorn, Court Stenographer, and R. Harry Arnold, Clerk
to the County Commissioners of Anne Arundel County.

This Bill not only authorizes but it directs the County Com-
missioners of Anne Arundel County to pay certain pensions.
I have concluded to veto it for the reason that it contains a
direction to the County Commissioners and deprives them of
the exercise of their own judgment and discretion. I think
that they should be the ultimate judges in matters of this sort.

SENATE BILL No. 408

AN ACT to authorize and direct the Police Commissioner of
Baltimore City to pay a pension to John J. White, Jr.,
retired Chief Clerk of the Traffic Court of Baltimore City,
equal in amount to the pension paid retired Lieutenants of
said Department.

This Bill authorizes and directs the Police Commissioner of
Baltimore City to increase the amount now being paid to a
retired member of the Police Department of Baltimore City.
I have determined to veto this Bill because under its pro-
visions the payment of the increased pension will be manda-
tory rather than permissive.

SENATE BILL No. 414

AN ACT relating to the increasing of the pension of John J.
Hartnett, former Court Stenographer of the Second Judicial
Circuit of Maryland.

Under the provisions of this Bill the pension of a former
employee of Cecil County is increased by |120. 00 per year.
I am vetoing it because it is my view that the County Com-
missioners of Cecil County should have the final judgment and
determination of the question. This Bill gives them no dis-
cretion in the premises.

HOUSE BILL No. 249

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