The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-04-18
LEGISLATURE
To End Labor Oisputes-A Strike at
Tax Dodgers.


The senate passed the two bills looking
20 an amendment III the Constitution re
moving the section prohibiting commits
sioners OF the revenue for cities and towns
serving consecutive terms. if chosen bv
the people. and leaving the method of
their election with the General Assembly.
There was some opposition by Senators
who had been mem Ders of the COnatitu-
tionRl Convention
Mr.. Harman presented bill in the Sen
ate looking TO the creation of a board Of
arbitration for the settlement of labor
disputes in this State According to the
bill the Governor is TO appoint a board
OF three persons. one of whom shall be
an employer of labor and another an EN-
ploye chosen by the labor union. The
board, on application of either side j. 10
investigate and decide all disputed Ques-
tions. No lockout or strike l. to be or
iered pending the investigation and deci
sion.
senator Opie presented bill aimed at
tax dodgers who dispose OF holdings
prior 20 making out lists for the commits
-iOners ofthe revenue The bill makes pro
vision for rigid inquiries. and in case of
ialsifcation Of replies the person so re-
piying Is made guilty of perjury
Mr. keezell reported without an
amendment the House bill 10 amend Sec
ion OF an act 10 designate and survey
the natural rocks, beds and shoals in
NOmini and CurriOman bavs. in the
county OF Nestmoreland. and TO include
he same in the origi' a geodetic survey
ut natural oyster rocks. beds and shoals
Of the Commonwealth
A bill aimed at the coal dealers. and
suggested by the findings of the late nat
ipnai Coal Strike Commission. wasintro-
iuced in the House by Mr. Edwards.
The bill requires the delivery OF long
tons OF coal 10 customers and imposes
heavy penalties.
JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION WINS.
The Senate Finance Committee decided
by majority of one vote to favorably
report the bill appropriating 5000. 600
Tor the jamestown Exposition.
An appropriation OF $1,000 for the
state Normal and Industrial school at
Petersburg and $50 coo additional forsa
new cell building at the penitentiary were
also acted on iavorably.
The following bills were acted upon ad-
versely ApprOpriating $40. 600 for the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute: appro-
priating 500, 900 for the State Female
Normal School at Farmville; Bland fire.
man relief bill bill proposing an appro-
priation Tor a teachers pension fund.
The bill apprOpriating Sl5 900 for the
University OF Virginia was not acted
upon.
10 PREV ENT CONSOLIDATION.
Virginia lawmakers are preparing to
forestRll any danger Of merger by plac-
ing section in the corporation measure
to prohibit the merging of any railroads
or other transportation lines ia this State
where they are in competition or have
the same terminals in Virginia.
MANN LIQUOR BILL BECOMES A LAW.
Gov Montague signed the general rev
enue law, which includes the Mann liquor
section Ii is the most sweeping step to-
ward prohibition ever taken in the State
The bill will, it is claimed. abolish
practically all saloons ia the counties
and in towns oiless than 500 population
/ I. [ Baker introduced bill to provide
Tor working and keeping in repair the
roads OF NestmOreland county.
Mr.. jennings secured the passage of a
bill to allow Lynchburg to erect q new
water works system at cost of 800.
I 600.
a bill was passed to incorporate tn,
town OF Colonial Beach