Evening star., 1925-12-27
STATE BOND ISSUE
VIRGINIA QUESTION
General Assembly to Consid-
er Fund Raising for
Highways.
special Dispatch TO The Star.

special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, December 26.-
When the General Assembly con-
venes next month a proposition to
have the State issue bonds for new
roads, repairs, maintenance and other
highway work will be taken up. The
Legislature has this right, the con
stitution having been amended sew
eral years ago. To issue something
like $4,000. 900 in bonds at intervals,
the rate of interest to be fixed, pos
sibly not more than 3 per cent, the
State can go A long way toward
building the roads that are being de-
manded and relieve the pressure in
every direction from the so-called
neglected sections, it Is believed.
The State would be in a position TO
make largely increased appropria-
tions for other departments Of the
government, and one of the greatest
demands is along educational lines,
say close observers. All the institu-
tions of the State are demanding
more money for schools, and in each
Of the several higher institutions the
lack of accommodation for students
is so great that nearly as many are
being turned away each session as
quarters. more members of the fac
ulty. broadening of the curriculum,
addition of several departments and
a general advance in every way is the
cry of the officers of these institu-
tions. and il Is extended to include
the public school system.
Favor Larger Appropriations.
1t is an open secret that the edu-
cational forces of the State are a
unit for increase of appropria tions,
and with the road issue taken away
from the consideration of the finance
officers of the Legislature it is be
lieved that A concentration of effort
on the part of the educators will re
suit in the members giving the
schools all they ask for-that is, all
that now goes to them and the high
way money in addition, seeing that
he latter are to be cared for in the
bond issue. Local pride for the in
stitutions in the communities in
which the members live will he urged
as factor in making the bond issue
and allowing the increase for roads.
Under the law an issue of bonds
does not have to he again submitted
to the people The Legislature is the
sole Judge of the matter and there
can he no appeal from the decision
of that body. Right here it is neces-
gary TO state that opposition to the
bond issue ie alert. and is reported to
he wholly conversant with the
scheme. and when il comes to "A fight
the lines are to he drawn tight.
Bi!Is by the Hundred
{. u. Morrissette, head of the leg
i~'ative reference bureau, says his
office has already drawn some 200
bills for presentation on the opening
day Of the Legislature: that there are
some so more requests for measures
on hand, and that he expects to have
not less than 300 ready for the mem
herS on the opening day. Mr.. Nor
rissette says that these bills cover
wide range of subjects. There are
several bills which seek to amend the
I prohibition law, some to abolish the
( fees TO prohibition officers and others
! 20 compel the officers to wear distinc-
tive uniforms when they are on duty.
Public men are discussing the pro-
posed tax plan of Gov.-elect Byrd.
T NI. Eyrd suggests elimination of some
$50 officers who are connected with
the so-called assessment and equah-
Zation of taxes. He would relieve
real estate of all taxes to the State
and vest the localities with the power
to impose such valuation for their own
needs as might seem proper. He
bles and tangibles set aside for State
purposes. along with railroad and
other public utilities. and he would
have a weight tax for the licensing of
automobiles instead of the horse
I,oWer