The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-05-22
COMMITTEE KILLS
ANTI-STRINE BILL
Bill to Create New Debt
Commission is Report
ed Favorably

CHARLESTON, W. Va, May "a
Gov. John c. Cornwell signed three
bills passed by the Legislature. OF
these, the one he said gave him the
greatest pleasure to sign was that pro-
posing to put a stop to idleness and va
grancy In West Virginia. This bill
goes into effect 80 days from passage,
and declares It to be the duty Of every
able.bodied male in the state between
the ages Of 16 and so to regularly en-
gage in some occupation whereby he
may earn sufficient to support himself
and those legally dependent upon him.
Prosecutions for vagrancy will be In
stituted and conducted as other GRIM
inal prosecutions.
Another Of the bills signed, which
became law from passage, provides
that farm loan bonds, issued under
provisions of the Federal Farm Loan
Act, shall be a lawful investment for
savings bank deposits, for all fdu-
ciary trust funds, for the funds Of the
insurance companies and of savings
and loan associations, and for the
Workmen's Compensation fund, and
that such Farm Loan bonds shall be
accepted as security for all public de-
posits.
The other bill signed provides con-
tingent expenses for the Legislature.
The Governor sent special mes
sage to the Legislature dealing with
the situation incident to the war and
calling attention to some of the needs
of West Virginia in that connection.
He also said that the state budget
measure should place all RESPONSE
bility with the Governor and not with
the Board of Public Works.
Perhaps the most notable action OF
the Legislature today was that Of the
House relating to interruption Of in
dustrial activity by strikes and labor
disturbances during the war. The
committee on judiciary reported 1t
out adversely and the report was &C.
cepted by the House. Further action
Of this measure in the Senate was in
definitely postponed when action Of
the House was reported. The House
advanced the rural police bill to Sec
ond reading and it will be disposed OF
tomorrow. 1t provides for the creation
of county constabulary. 1t is opposed
by labor unions.
In the Senate the Judiciary COM
mittee reported favorably on the
House bill to create new Virginia
debt commission. The House bill re-
lating to the creation Of executive
and advisory state councils Of de-
Tense, prescribing the powers and
duties of those bodies and making
necessary appropriations, was passed
by the Senate. 1t is effective from
passage. Amendments added by the
Senate must be concurred in by the
House.
The Senate also passed the bill pro.
viding for physical training in all
schools under state control and for
instruction in the military science,
including drills, in all high and Sec
ondary schools supported wholly or
in part by public money.
The Senate sent back to the Finance
committee its bill which was up as
special order providing for a special
levy Of cents during the war for
the militia and military organizations.
The levy was to form what is to be
known as the war fund.
Senator Carter introduced bill pro-
viding for the conservation and dis
tribution of food and-the appointment
by the Governor of food commits
sioner. 1t was referred to the Labor
committee.