1872 VETOES

Courts, since an adverse decision could cause serious financial
confusion and difficulty in all of the Counties. Moreover,
this is a matter which can be considered at the next session
of the Legislature, and should meanwhile receive careful
study from the Legislative Council as to whether we are to
revert to an assessing system which perpetuates inequality
or whether the present law should remain despite any real or
fancied burdens of local administrations.

In view of the aforegoing, I am vetoing the Bill in its
present form.

Respectfully,

(s) THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor
TRMcK/tk

HOUSE BILL NO. 192

May 5, 1953

Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

On the written recommendation of the Police Commis-
sioner of Baltimore City, concurred in by Mayor D'Alesandro,
I am returning House Bill No. 192 herewith as vetoed. The
bill would require payment of a pension to Mr. Howard J.
Langley on the same basis as if he had been injured in the
performance of his duty as a police officer of Baltimore
City. Officer Langley was dismissed from the force as a
disciplinary measure. Medical reports subsequently sub-
mitted indicate that his actions resulted from a serious
mental condition, which has required continued hospitaliza-
tion. However, there are two objections to the proposed
legislative action, as follows:

1. In order for a permanently incapacitated police officer
to receive the pension which this bill provides, he would,
under the terms of the Charter and Public Local Laws
of Baltimore City, be required to have 20 years service or
show that the disability is service connected. Mr. Langley's
case meets neither alternative. He had served approximately
10 years at the time of his dismissal, and no contention is
made that his disability is service connected. The only
possible relief to which he may have been entitled is the