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Governor Signs Ripper Bill; Group Aims to Block Action PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 6.— Gov. J. Millard Tawes has signed into law a bill reorganizing the state racing commission and replacing the present three-member turf authority with a board of five members to serve at his pleasure. This is the "Ripper Bill," bitterly opposed by all state racing interests with the isolated exception of the trotting venture Ocean Downs, equally isolated on Marylands Eastern Shore. The states chief executive was not generally expected to affix his signature to the measure following a hearing he called Monday, when racing interests renewed and detailed their objections. Legally the governor can name a new commission on June 1. But a committee of influential turfmen, including members of the Maryland Racing Council, former commissioners, HBPA members, owners and breeders have in circulation a petition which is said to be assured the necessary 5,000 signatures to block the governors action June 1, and another 5,000 by July 1 to force a referendum in the fall of 1960.
