The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-11
The House

The half-hour session of the house
OF delegates yesterday proved sufficient
for the introduction of q large num-
Der of bills including some proposed
new legislation OF a general character,
several purely local bills and a sprink-
ling of hardy perennials which are
planted at the beginning OF every
legislative session without much hope
of Affirmative action.
The appointment Of committees by
Speaker Houston was awaited with
keen interest on account OF the un-
usual number of chairmanships va
Gated by the failure of cid members to
return. The old tabitshed rule Of
seniority received one severe jolt after
another.
one OF the most popular appoint.
nents to committee Craftsmanship
was that OF Delegate James p. Jones.
Of Richmond. to the head OF the COM
mittes on moral and social welfare.
To this committee are referred thu
bills relating to prohibition and meas
ures for the control of vice.
Mr.. Jones. who has already won dis
tinction by his effective work nA a
member OF the same committee. has
long been conspicuous as the friend
OF the prohibition movement and an
able supporter OF other uplift meas E
ures. And Notwithstanding the large
wet influence In Richmond politics. he
has ever been outspoken in HIS stand
FOR the right
Messages from the governor wore re-
ceivea notifying the house Of dele
gates OF the various recess appoint
ments and requesting confirmation.
Among these were the names of Hon.
Christopher b. Barnett and Captain
Alexander Forward TO be members OF
the state corporation commission. Dir.
the commission for several months
past. Captain Forward. who l. now
private secretary to Governor stuart.
is appointed for the tarm beginning
February /. 1918.
Among measures introduced the
most pretenuous is bin by Delegate
Reed to create the office OF stare tax
commissioner at salary OF $4,000 n
wear Ry the terms of the bin the com
missioner would have the duty of su-
pervising generally the admin 'strRtion
! Of all thu tax laws. 10 adjust esSess-
1 ments and to collect information about
I the value and ownership OF real and
personal property for the exclusive AMI
confidential guidance of the state. The
commissioner would have broad pow
I ers for investigation and access at all
| times to the tax rolls and collection
! books Of ali county and state of Gals
| The bill carries an appropriation Of
$500 to pay the expenses OF thu
! office
| Mr.. Reed also offered bill TO specify
| aud determine upon what subjects
/ state and local taxes may be levied
He believes that the operation of this
| measure would reGult in lessened
amount Of taxes and diversion Of a
greater share 10 the counties and cities
! in which the taxable property 10 To-
| Gated.
Among the documents forwarded By
! the governor the report OF the Vir
riuia commission on workmen's com
pensatiou and the report of the cura
| tor Of the Virginia mineral and his
! toricai museum,
Delegate Chase offered n Bill TO dis
/ miss all the criminal charges now
pend ng or hereafter brought against
| any man engaged in the military oil
| oaval service of the United States fol
| sny crime committed before the intro.
| duction OF the bill where the ptnalt,
| 1oes not exceed ten years inprison
ment In the state penitentiary.