Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-01-02
Hot Fight Looked For on
DR.. Peters Office in
General Assembly
MEETS IN FORTNIGHT
Virginia Legislators Will Begin Meet
ing With Warm Speakcrship Con-
test-lmportant Bills Will Come up.

| Richmond, Jan 2.-In two weeks
the General Assembly will begin its
regular session. Good roads, the
/ budget and education are among the
more important questions for con-
sideration, but the "storm" OF the
gathering is expected to center
about the office of the State Com
missioner of Prohibition, now held
by the Rev j. Sidney Peters.
Whether or not the department is
to be continued or abolished, is eX
pected to furnish considerable of
the debate. This question played a
prominent part in the election of
several Of the members Of the As
sembly and the contest began before
the voters Of the State in the last
Legislative elections will, III all prob
ability, be carried to the floors of
both branches OF the Legislature.
A new Speaker is TO be ch sen.
This will he a prelude to the ex-
pected "big fight. Candidates for
this honor are Richard L. Brewer,
cf- Nansemond. chairman Of tn" An
preparations Committee, and an cid
member, and f. Kenneth Gilpin, Of
Clarke, comparatively new mem
Der, who served in the aviation ser
vice in the recent war.
Mr.. Brewer. will have the srppnrt
of the Peters forces, while Mr.,
Gilpin is understood to, be committed
in his campaign to the abolition of
the State Department Of Prohibition
The new budget system may cx-
ercise direct bearing on the fight
over maintenance or abolition &c the
department as, under the system.
Governor Davis is empowered to
recommend what ever appropriation
ne deems sufficient for prosecuting
the work of the department. or
whether any appropriation. should be
made.
E.~P. Buford. Of Lawrenceviile'
newly elected member Of the Leg
islature. is on record as having pre-
pared a bill locking to abolition OF
the Prohibition Department. Both
the followers of the policy Of Mr..
Buford and the hackers of Commis-
sioner Peters appear to be confident
of success.
G. H. Morrissette, director OF
the Legislative Reference Bureau.
said yesterday that he expected
more than 700 bills of al descrlp-
tions-general and special act>--to
be submitted to the coming session
of the General Assembly. To date.
Mr.. Morrissette already has pre-
pared over 100 bills, some of which
have as their patrons Richmond
members Of the House and Senate.
The new code of Virginia becomes
effective January IS. the day before
the Legislature assemblies. and MIR.
Morrissette stressed the fact that
all bills amcndatory of present gen
eral laws should in terms amend the
code and not the old acts Of the
Assembly.
Modification of the so-callcd blue
laws" concerning Sunday selling, a
drastic curb on profiteers. revision
of the delinquent tax laws to elin1i-
nate the Gland grabber.' and a
measure to abolish the professional
Juror ara among bills which Albert
O. Boschen. member of the House
from Richmond. will present to the
Legislature at the coming session.
Rents in Richmond vii! be reduced
to a certain percentage of the ac'
/ tual assessed value of, the rented
real estate if bill drawn by the
Renters and Consumers Protective
League is passed by the Legislators
Governor Davis has named &
committee of three to draft legisla
tion to aid in reducing the high cos
of living to be submitted to tht
coming session.