Evening star., 1923-06-24
VIRGINIA ECONOMY.
SHAKE-UP LIKELY
Several Branches Of Govern.
ment May Be Merged and
Personnel Cut.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND. Va. June 23.-The COM
mission on simplincation. of govern
ment~ has been here for a week. and
1t has already looked into various
matters connected with the operations
OF the public business and outlined
many suggestions that may be en-
bodied in the report to the legisla-
ture. The Ideas already advanced
look to consolidation of several
branches and the splitting up of the
duties OF others and assigning the
same to existing departments. The
belief Is that II the recommendation
are carried out by the legislature that
perhaps 10 per cent of the officers
now at the seat Of government can
be dispensed with and that money
saved to the state. -..-
Another matter that engages at
tention Is that to have but one cleo
tlon In two years in the state-that
to be held when the members Of
congress are chosen. That one thing
will save the state not less than $780,
600 year. to say nothing Of the
strain on candidates, the excitement
and interest in campaigns and the
loss OF time generally sustained by
people who are concerned in the out
come OF elections.
Direction of Funds. ..
The proposition to SO direct the pay
ment of all funds into the state treas
ury has also been advanced, the ex-
penses of the separate account" de-
partments to be carried in the general
appropriation bill. There are q num-
Der OF the bureaus which collect and
expend their own revenues. this being
for specific purpose-the agricultural
law tax for the fish and game de-
partment. the oyster tax for the
oyster commission. the insurance fund
for the insurance bureau. and others
that now collect and expend their
funds. all Of which is taken from the
people. Why these exceptions were
made Is not clear. and why they
should operate separate branch and
assess and collect taxes and dues in
stood. The belief Is that these sew
eral agencies will be made to operate
on the same basis as other depart
ments Of the state government and
thus to put all excess funds into the
public treasury.
Would Change Fiscal Years.
At this time there are in the state
ments for the government and for
paying out the same for the several
institutions. The fiscal year ends
September 80. the year for appropria-
tionS Of all sorts ends February Is.
1t is easy to see that 1t Is impossible
to balance the receipts and expendi-
lures of the state and to determine
just what Is on hand. The commits
sion has been looking into the matter
and 1t finds that the school funds
begin and end at different periods
and not at the commencement of a
term: the fish and game department
has a date for the fixing of the an
Bual accounts. These things are
confusing. and II Is proposed to make
such a change as will remedy this
condition of the states business
rather than to have different and con-
fiicting dates
Soldier is Denied Pardon.
Lieut.. Kenneth F.. Thomas. who
served with the Canadian forces in
the world war. attaining the rank of
lieutenant in the air service. is now
he is serving five years for bigamy.
Thomas served in the Army under
another name than his own and mar
ried a nurse In the service. and while
here on a trip of instruction he made
a trip to Norfolk; ,s coming with a
up with young woman and after a
dance he says he drank some liquor
and woke up a few days later to
find that he had married the girl in
Norfolk. He was arrested. entered
would be given a year in prison. The
Judge gave him Ave years. His first
wife is now in Canada, where she -
awaiting his return. Efforts were
made to have the man pardoned. see
- r.. Fv-ov
prison, serving his time in the Army,
returned to this country and sur
rendered himself to the officers. The
governor announced that he could
not see his way clear to grant the
pardon, and Thomas still has more
badly wounded in the service in
France, and is still unable to walk
erect and was for long time after
the war in a hospital. which ac-
counted for his delay .in returning.
as he announced he would do after
escaping. 49,.
News Company Formed. ->
There has been organized here. and
a charter has been issued. to a con-
Germ to. be known as the Standard
News Service. 1t is understood that
1t will succeed to the business which
has for years been cGndueted SMn sad on Poto the
mac railroad stations and In the
trains operated on that road. 1t is
also reported that the same company
will seek to get the permits for oper-
ating the news and fruit concessions
on all the roads entering this city.
The understanding is that the new
company has also acquired the
restaurant and lunch counter con-
cessions in the Broad street station.
one of the most valuable in the city,
and where hundreds of persons pass
ing through Richmond get their
meals The promoters OF the new
company are all Richmond men and
the capital stock is placed at $4,000.
Templar. Is 100 years old today. and
the event was celebrated in appro-
nriate manner in the Masonic temple
This evening, when there was a large
eatbering Of members and their ladies
70 participate in the dance that FOL
lowed. the musical program. The
members were in full uniform, with
the members Of the other boolss aiso
in attendance. This commandery rs
IN. IN of the Oldest in the state and in
eli the time of it's existence 1t has
Continued to hold meetings: even dur
ing the war period, and Its RECORDS
hear the name Of the most influential
men in Virginia.
Forfeits Bail bond.
Percy Camplain. one of the most
noted Of automobile thieves that has
nlaced this city on his visiting list.
= pprrested here two weeks ago on the
charge of having an altered regtstra- :
tn, card from Atlantic City and one
from New York In his possession,
and under which he was seeking to
have a car registered here, failed to
show up in court when his case was