Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-29
Chairman Smithey Re-
quests Greater Authority
and Solons Approve.
MAY EXTEND PROBING
BEYOND THIS SESSION
Some Conditions Discovered
Would Bring Blush Of
Shame" Chairman Says.

The motion of Delegate Marvin
S,ui.hey, chairman cf the joint COM
mit,ee investigating State Offices
relative TO the feasibility OF merger
or abolition, prevailed in the House
of Delegates yesterday morning.
when that body passed the Joint res
olG,ion giving the committee greater
authority in it's inqu!sition AMI en-
tending the work beyond the pres
ent session In event tho work is not
completed by that time.
Delegate Smithey said there was 4
bill introduced In the Senate creat-
ing commission to sit through the
interim, which bill. he thought. was
designed TO supersedc the Joint COM
mittec. I'VE lave started work anG
are working diligently" said Chair
man Smithcy. and 1T is talked that
the Senate committee will no; go
MS deep us this committee
We have only scratched the sur
face and find where we can save tho
state 100000. Things brought TO
the attention o. our COMMITTEE rela-
tive 10 some of tho State Offices
would bring the blush of shame.
Republicans have made the charges
OF useless offices. and II there Is any
truth in the charges. the Democrats
or this General Assembly are the
men to make the corrections"
Wills Opposes Extension.
Delegate Willis said he objected to
extending the power OF the commit
Tee beyond the time OF report. Feb
ruary 10. and not later than March
j. In view of the fact that the in
coming Governor. who fought the
charges Of the Republicans, had not
had the opportunity to participate in
any movement looking to the reform.
Delegate J. NJ. Hurt, of Nottoway.
said there ought to lie "house-clcan
ing" He added: I'VE got drunk ON
prosperity at the last session and
the debauch is still on. We are GO
ing to see financial trouble, and we
must have some consolidation OF Of
nces In order to retrench and con-
serve tho resources OF the state"
Not BcinB Done In Sunlight.
Delegate Edwin II. Gibson. of Gull
peper, declared the Smithey resolu-
ton was being pressed by distin.
Euished progressivcs. and opposed
by progressive reactIonists. Unfor-
tunetely much that is done is no,
done In the sunlight. This commit
Tee ID coming to You. asking for more
time to give you beneficial servi sc.
1t strikes me. we are stabbins IN:
energy and patriotism and serSc. Of
tho committee in the back"
He said all that the opponents 10
tho resolution wanted was inforn,a-
t!on In order to stack cards. 1t -
unfair TO ask tho committee Ia ex-
pose It's hand. lie paid the delegate
from Brunswick 4 compliment. and
referred TO Delegate Gordon. OF Lou
lisa, as wise and sagacious and al
ways on the track OF iniau!ty."
Mr.. Gibson said that probably the
same iniuence would be threatened
against the gentlemen from Bruins
WICK and from Louisa. that was
threatened against the gentleman
from LoudoutG" -tIaughtcr).
Delegate Willis. in speaking on his
amendment 10 make the date of re-
port March !. said he wanted re-
port at this session. II have never
believed the oi!iccholders of the
state are dishonest accord to other
oftlceholders the same presumption
o! honesty that ] hope is accorded
10 me. l Will agh; against lcg!s:u-
tion by resolution. The Willis motion
10 c>iena the date Of report to March
]. was defeated. 81 ayes TO 4, noes.
and the resolution giving the com
'niitee more authority. and providing
for extension Of time beyond Fcpru.
AIRY 10. into the interim if necessary.
was passed