The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-26
cation i'm Congress TO Protect
Mem I'm Service.
VIGOROUS FIGHTS IN SENATE.
Much Time Spent in Debating Duties
of Insurance Commissioner and
Rate OF Taxation for Intangibies--
Messenger Is Applauded.


department to collect evidence and
facts of incendiary fires and to fur
nfsh the same TO the prosecution and
denying access thereto to the counsel
foi accused persons, drew from Seha-
tor Allen a rather sharp arraignment.
He said that, while not intending to
DO offensive. he believed the measure
vicious. He saw no reason for the
proposition, holding that the insur-
ance bureau should not be made an
agency for prosecuting persons. sena-
tors Rison. Cannon, Walker and West
defended the bill. and when it came
to It's passage the vote was 3a to !
with Senator Allen the negative. The
bill also provides that the department
can employ additional or special coun-
sci to assist In prosecutions In certain
cases which It develops.
Senator Andrews called up his bin
amending the charter of the city of
Roanoke, saying that because OF the
demand for quick action In order that
the city might arrange its financial
affairs, 1t was necessary that the bill
be speeded. On his motion the rules
were suspended and the bill was
rushed through several readings and
given a unanimous vote.
The Fifty Fifty Bin.
Senator Vests bill dealing with the
change OF the rate on intangible prop
erty, allowing the state fifty cents and
the counties and the cities the right
TO levy and collect the same amount
on intangfbles, was reached on its sec
ond reading on the calendar. At once
there was n night to dispiace or re-
commit the bill, but Senator West
stuck. right TO his text and refused 10
agree TO any proposition to recommt
the measure, He said that he knew
that certain influences were at work
TO accomplish the defeat of the meas
ure and that he did not propose to
allow II to be straugied In committee
but would insist that the vote be TAX
en- on the floor OF the senate. After
considerable sparring. Senator West
accepted the suggestion OF Senator Ad-
olson that the bill be made the special
order for february 8. saying he pre-
ferred 10 give the mem beers full time
to acquaint themselves with the pro
visions and did not desire any adj
vantage IN the matter.
High Insurance Rates.
From the Danville cham Der of COM
Terce came a vigorous protest against
the prevailing fire Insurance rates for
this state. The paper recited that tho
rates are ARBITRARILY fixed by the South
eastern Tariff association. that they
are far too high and that the people
of thu state are at the mercy OF the
companies The petition asked that
legislation be enacted which would
serve To give the relief asked and to
make i; impossible for any organiza-
tion to again put the rates for fire
insurance higher than they should be
for safety.
Applaud Miss Derry
For the second time in the history
of -, -
appeared on the floor OF that body
during the deliberations and present.
ed message from the governor
She is the only woman who has dis
charged that function. the message
being that Transmitting the report Of
the management OF the Miller Man
ual Labor school. Miss Berry made
her little speech. handed the paper
10 page and then withdrew, and as
She disappeared through the door the
dignified solons paused long enough
20 give her a round OF applause for
the way In which she discharged her
duty.
Federal stay" Law.
From the house came a Joint reso-
luton requesting the members OF the
virginia delegation in congress 10 amp
port the measure which will protect
the interests Of soldiers with the col
ors--to prevent any adverse action by
reason of their inability 10 appear and
protect themselves; to prevent fore
closures. and for all other purposes
Senator Strobe advocated the measure
and Il was unanimously agreed TO
This viii be sent 10 the congressman
at once, The attorney general has
ruled that II is not possible for the
state To enact the necessary measure
Increase for Button,
The bill providing for an increase
OF the salary of Colonel Joseph But
ton the insurance commissioners.
came up on its first reading in the
senate. and Senator Allen wanted to
know what section of the insurance
laws were affected. Senator An
drews. who had charge OF the bill
said he would he glad to inform the
champion OF the code revisers that
Il did one things-increased the sal
airy OF the commissioner $500, that
IL did not cost the state cent And
then the bill was advanced on the
calendar.
The bill providing a hospital for
crippled children. to be under the d.
rection OF the state board of health,
was favorably reported from the SEN
ate finance committee. 1t appro-
PIRATES $4,000 year for two years
The location OF the hospital is left
- te. the state board Of health
The Andrews bill preventing the
petftioning for a receiver for insur-
ance companies, was considered by
the committee on banking and in
surance and was explained b,, the pa
tron. The bill requires persons seek
ing appointment of a receiver for an
insurance company to apply to the
insurance commissioner. lay the facts
before him and a member of the cor
poration commission. which shall re-
port TO the corporation commissin
II that body decree that a receiver
is necessary one will be named Sew
erai companies have been wrecked
by persons who held small interest
and for other reasons and millions
OF dollars have been thus lost The |
BIN was favorablv reported.
State once Building.
Senator Gum has offered bill
which provides an appropriation of !
$4,000 for the purpose OF acquiring
tho property known as the. Davis
building. at Franklin apd Thirteenth
streets. Immediately in the rear of the
state library. This building Is at !
this time occupied as the state office /
building on fixed rental. The state