History
By 1900, reformers had organized a Maryland Direct Legislation
League, with A. G. Eichelberger as its president. Ten years later the
League claimed “more than 1,000 active, working members.” In 1914, the
League promoted an I&R bill sponsored by State Senator William J. Odgen
of Baltimore, but the legislature amended it to remove the initiative
provision. This “referendum only” amendment passed both houses in 1915
and was ratified by the voters. The following year the League pressed the