Evening star., 1923-03-22
3CENT GASOLINE
TAX BILL PASSES
Action Taken Early This
| Morning After One of
Stormiest Sessions.
POLITICAL ACCUSATIONS
Debate of Referendum On Today
in Virginia Assembly-Measure
| Expected to Garry.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dlspatcn Inc Star.
RICHMOND. Va, March 22.-By a
vote of "a to Is the senate at o'clock
this morning passed the three-cent
gasoline tax bill, making it effective
July / for the pay-asyou-go plan
for road hnilding, and then it pro-
ceeded to defeat the $6.000,000 emer-
gency bond measures by vote of
25 to IS. The Robertson repeal bill
went down into defeat by reason OF
a lack of constitutional vote,
though a majority of the members
supported the repeal measure.
Accusations Made.
The day was one of the most eX-
citing for Il lonstime, the speeches
being full of fire and accusations OF
change of front on the part of the
governor and others. during the de-
bate the statement was made that
the anti-bond forces could not ac-
cept mill tax in addition TO the
gasoline tax, for the reason that
Gov. Trinkle had announced that ne
would veto any such tax increase,
this latter statement being made by
Senator EpeS.
Debate on Referendum.
The program of the antl-bond
people has been carried out In every
way Just as they declared would be
the case, that there would not be a
bond issue at this time. Today the
members began at IL o'clock the dis
cussion of the referendum. whether
it shall be statewide or a leS1Sla-
tive district vote on the proposition
10 issue $50, 900 of bonds In view
of the vote early this morning it is
believed that the district referendum
will carry.
Fate In House in Doubt.
The Senate amendment making the
new gasoline tax law effective July !.
when the full cents will be asseSst !
on every gallon sold for autos, Will
go back to the House. and it is said
there is some doubt as to its fate.
Placed i'm Truck Class.
The house passed a bill that places
all automobiles engaged in trans
porting passengers under the state
corporation commission and on the
same plane with trucks and provides
for their regulation, speed, fares and
all else on the same basis as common
carriers
Not to Regain Lot.
The city of Richmond will not re-
gain possession of the lot which she
gave to the state for a site for the
war memorial library. That was
noon when the bill to this end was
Indefinitely postponed. The lot is be-
lieved to be worth 100000 or more,
and as the memorial has been aban-
doned it is not understood just why
the state refused to return the lot.
The statement was made that the
city is in no position at this time to
make use of the lot as site for a
building for administrative purposes
hence there was no need for speed at
this time. 1t is understood that the
subject will be taken up anew when
the next Legislature convenes.
Ovation for Capt. Baker.
Showing the disposition of the
house to mark time, yesterday after
noon when the venerable Capt. w. w
Baker of Chesterfield, who has served
his county for forty-two years in the
house, appeared, he was given an
ovation, carried to the speakers ros-
trum and presented He is quite
feeble, having been partially para
lyzed but he takes a keen interest in
all matters pertaining to the state
He made a brief speech of thanks for
the reception accorded him.