1816                                      VETOES

stated, this sum must come from the Commission's Construction
Fund.

It is, therefore, urgently requested that House Bill 1323 which
would reduce the Commission's Construction Fund by an additional
$1,468,529 be vetoed.

Your cooperation will be appreciated.

Very truly yours,

/s/ David H. Fisher,

Chairman-Director.

House Bill No. 1340—Oysters

AN ACT to add new Subsection 700 (n) to Article 66C of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1967 Replacement Volume), title
"Natural Resources," subtitle "Oysters and Clams," to follow im-
mediately after Subsection 700 (m) thereof, to control the manner
in which patent tongs may be used to take or catch oysters.

May 28, 1969.

Honorable Thomas Hunter Lowe
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Con-
stitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 1340 and am returning it
to you.

This Bill makes it unlawful for any person to take oysters with
patent tongs from a boat unless the boat is anchored with the anchor
line attached to the bow. It also makes it unlawful to use patent
tongs while the boat is being propelled by machinery. The Bill was
introduced by the Chairman of the Committee on Environmental
Matters at the request of the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs.

The purpose of this Bill was to prevent persons from using
patent tongs as dredges. However, a great deal of concern has been
expressed both to my office and to the Department of Chesapeake
Bay Affairs, by members of the General Assembly and others, over
whether the language of the Bill is broader than its purpose and
may prohibit the proper use of patent tongs. Furthermore, the enact-
ment of House Bill 1341, which was signed by me on April 23, 1969,
renders House Bill 1340 largely unnecessary.

For these reasons, the Director of the Department of Chesa-
peake Bay Affairs, the sponsoring agency, has written to my office
requesting that House Bill 1340 be vetoed. The attached letter from
the Director is to be considered part of this message. I am complying
with this request.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel,

Governor.