Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-24
DELEGATES FOR
ECONOMY POLICY
Adopt Norris Resolution
Limiting Size Of Appro-
priation Bill
NOT TO EXCEED 1915
Resolution Will Bar Creation of New
Departments Unless Cuts Are Made
Elsewhere.
NOT TO EXCEED 1915
Resolution. Will Bar Creation of New

Richmond, Jan. 24.-By a vote O.
44 to IL, the House of Delegates Sat
urday adopted a resolution offered bI
Delegate R. O. Norris, jr., of Ian
caster, which provides that the ap
preparation bill of the present session
shall not exceed in aggregate amount
the appropriations carried by tine
budget measure of the session OF 1910
Unless modified by the House later
in the session, this resolution WI
have the effect of practically barring
the creation of new departments, OF
otherwise materially increasing the
appropriations to any of the present
departments of the State govern
ment. Considering the drastic restrlc-
ton that it carries, the measure en-
countered remarkably little opposi-
tion.
If the aggregate Of the forthcom-
ing appropriation bill is not allowed
to exceed the aggregate of the bill
passed at the last session, provision
for new departments or enterprises
can be made only by cutting down the
allotment to already existing depart
ments-a proceeding which, it is adj
mited, would be extremely unpopu-
lar and next to impossible.
The restriction adopted by the
House would, therefore, affect adver-
sely the appropriation Of $4,000 ask
ed for in the coordinate college bill
the market bureau recommended by
the Governor and the Commissioner
of Agriculture, the new $4,000 Office
of Commissioner of Moral Welfare
indorsed by the Anti-Saloon League
and dozen other enterprises entail.
ing expenditures not counterbalanccd
by expiring appropriations in the ap-
preparation bill of 1914.
The resolution, however, is bind
ing only on the House. The Senate
Finance Committee is governed by
no such restriction. Differences be-
tween the House and Senate appro-
priation bills resulting from this sit
,uation, in the event that concurrent
action could not be obtained would
have to be adjusted by conference
committee.
Chairman Brewer, of the House APP.
preparations Committee, indorsed the
Norris resolution. Incidentally, he
spoke pointedly of the tendency showr
at the last session to make appropria
tions with a reckless disregard OF
the States ability to take care o.
them-a practice which, he said, COM
PEELED him at the last session to with
draw bill looking to the reduction
of taxes, for fear that if such bill
Were passed there would not be suf
fcient revenue to meet the appropria
tions.
Delegate Jordan took the floor witt
a sharp rebuke to Mr.. Brewer for tn
reflection placed by him on the con
duct of the members at the last ses
sion. 1t was altogether unfair, ne saio
to permit the impression to 60 abroa
that the last House was culpably eS
travagant. AS member OF tn
House at that session, he said, he de
sired to refute that change. Moreover
he said, if the bill introduced by Dele
gate Brewer, to which reference ha
been made. had been passed, the Stat
would still have had enough revenu
to meet the authorized appropriation!
The House delved deeply into SCI
ious business, spending the mos
fruitful day of the present sessio,
1t was called to order at 10 o'cloc
and remained in session for thre
hours. Nine bills We're passed on the
third and final readings and sent I
the Senate for concurrence. and
large number of local and uncontes
ed bills were advanced on the Gale,
dar.
Probably the most revolutiona,
measure that will make its appsaran
in either house Of the present Gene
al Assembly was . bill providing f
the direct election OF Judges by t
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