Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-03-08
Bond Forces Held Last
Conferences Last
Night
30 BILLS UP TODAY
Bill providing Investiga-
tion of School System
With View to Better
ment is Passed.
n, l.. T.. COOPER

By l.. T.. COOPER
Richmond. Va, March S-The
introduction of the road bond bills
for highway construction in Vir-
ginia was expected in the House
of Delegates this afternoon, fol-
lowing what was termed the con-
cluding conferences of the bond
forces last night.
The effect of the revised pro-
posals Incorporated in the meas
ures as they will be presented, is
awaited with interest, and not
without some slight trepidation
on both sides.
The proposal for the issuance
of S50,000,000 in bonds, with
S10,000,000 to be expended on
feeder roads, alongside of the
proposal for a $6,000,000 tenn
porary loan, with IA one-cent gas
oline tax to provide for the fund
ing of the loan, is expected to
gain some supporters from the
ranks of the hitherto unpledged
members, but the question of "A
majority still is uncertain. About
thirty bills will be up for their
third reading in the House to-
day, the majority of them local
bills and amendments to the gen.
eral laws requested by the gov
ernOr. 1t is expected that many
of them win be passed on bloc.
as was done yesterday after
noon. when seven local bills and
four general measures werer pass
ed.
A resolution empowering the
State Commission on the simpli-
fication and economy of State and
local government to investigate
the public school system of the
State with particular attention
to why Virginia, Notwithstanding
large sums spent, ranks very low
among states i'm educational stand
ing" and to investigate plans for
securing cheaper text books, wa
introduced by Delegate Smithey,
Of Brunswick, and passed.
Richmond, Va, March S-With
the number of those who favor
neither Sl2,00O,0O0 bond issue
or three-cent gasoline tax for
road building apparently CON
stantly increasing, causing an
even greater lack Of confidence
on both sides than before, it
seemed probable this morning
that some measure in the form
of a compromise bill would be
introduced. Such a measure al
ready has been limited at.
In spite Of the prolonged dis
cussion, the playing for time,
and the consequent delay, there
is evident determination on the
part of a great number of the
members of the assembly to see
that the special session gives 10
the state some sort Of good road
bill.
Instead of rallying around them
the un-pledged element in the as
sembly, and gradually thinning
out the ranks Of those supporting
neither the three-cent tax nor the
road bonds, tie two opposing
forces seem to have made little
progress, while the ranks Of those
on neutral ground apparently
have grown stronger. Therefore.
with each side testing out the
strength Of the other, the ques-
ton of some compromise legisla-
ton is being discussed in both
the house and the senate.
Although the main body Of
the body issue bill already has
been drafted, numerous confer
ences to decide upon various pro-
visions are being held by COM
mittees.
The resolution calling for the
introduction of all general bills
by tomorrow, came back to. the
house as amended by the senate
and was passed after a long
speech by Delegate F.. Fl. Gibson,
of Culpeper. Mr.. Gibson took
occasion to ridicule the action Of
the senate on the measure, de-
ploring the wasted hours of the
filibuster by the senator tOliver)
e