J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       2199

his appointment as tax assessor. No other County in the State has
such a requirement and this, in my opinion, would establish a very
undesirable precedent.

With kindest personal regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

(S) J. MILLARD TAWES,

Governor.
Enclosure

Senate Bill No. 620—Boundaries for Potomac River Compact

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Article II of
Section 261A of Article 66C of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1962 Supplement), title "Natural Resources," subtitle "Fish and
Fisheries," subheading "General Provisions—Compact of 1958,"
amending the Potomac River Compact geographical boundaries to
eliminate Heron Island in St. Mary's County from the jurisdiction
of the Compact.

May 3, 1963.

Honorable William S. James
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

I have today reviewed Senate Bill 620 and, in accordance with
Article 2, Section 17, of the Maryland Constitution, I am returning
this Bill to you, accompanied by my veto message.

Senate Bill 620 re-defines the territory in which the Potomac River
Fisheries Commission shall have jurisdiction in the vicinity of Heron
Island. This Island is situated east of Blackistone Island and near
the entrance to Breton Bay.

The intent of the Bill is to simplify jurisdictional problems pre-
sented by the unnecessarily crooked line that separates Maryland
waters from Commission waters in this area. Also by straightening
the line, as originally intended, St. Mary's County clam dredgers
would have additional territory in which to work.

Unfortunately, when the Bill was drafted, errors were inadver-
tently made whereby the new line created between the waters of St.
Mary's County and the waters of the Potomac River would run
through two natural oyster bars.

It is my belief that since the Bill was not drawn as originally in-
tended, to sign this Bill into law would create more problems than
it would solve.

I would like to point out that since this Bill was designed to amend
a portion of the Potomac River Compact, it would not be put into
effect until a similar Act was passed by the State of Virginia. Inas-
much as the Virginia Legislature does not meet until 1964, no delay