Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-06
OYSTER DECISION
FACES ASSEMBLY
Agriculture and Taxation
Also Are on Program of
Virginia Body.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND, Va. January 6.-Fol-
lowing party caucuses tomorrow night
the 1880 General Assembly Of Virginia
will formally convene Wednesday noon
and, with the House of Delegates and
State Senate in joint session, will hear
the last message from Gov. Harry F.
Byrd, who retires week later, as Cow
elect John Garland Pollard is inaugu-
rated.
The last previous session convened
January II, 1928, and Gov. Byrds mes
sage continuing the program of prog
resS" was heard the first two days in
two sections. The legislative program
of 1880 is smaller than the voluminous
programs Of reorganization sessions, but
the reports of numerous commissions
and the usual avalanche of minor
measures, many of them local in char
acter, as well as the fact that this is an
inauguration year, will quicken interest
in the session.
Outstanding among matters to be dis
cussed are oyster regulation, agriculture
and taxation, as well as the proposal
for liberal arts college for women.
Chief in political interest will be the
election of four judges of the Supreme
Court of Appeals. one member of the
State Corporation Commission and a
number of Circuit and Corporation
Court judges.
Provided In Basic Law.
Two new judgeships on the Supreme
Court OF Appeals were provided for in
the constitutional amendments adopted
in 1928 and, in addition, judges Holt
and Epes, ad interim appointees Of the
governor, come up for election. Judge
Henry w. Holt was named to succeed
Judge Martin P. Burke, deceased, and
Judge Louis e. Epes was appointed to
succeed the late Judge West
1t is expected that Wilbur c. Hall,
delegate from Loudoun County, will be
CHOSEN Democratic floor leader. Mr..
Hall has three times been passed over
for the honor, having been ranking
member Of the finance committee for
the last three sessions.
Major measures before the Legisla-
ture and the governor may be
summarized as follows:
Tax reduction, principally through
larger exemptions in the lower income
tax brackets.
Rural schools-An equalization plan
to raise educational standards, but hold
down taxes in agricultural communi-
ties.
Liberal arts college for women.
whether 1t should be established near
the University of Virginia or somewhere
else.
Distribution Of gasoline tax-some
new and more equitable method of dis
trlbution and some check on the amount
of tax which is distributed by Counties.
This Is expected to arouse controversy,
indicated at public hearings by the
commission studying the matter and by
the Association of Virginia Counties.
Law enforcement-The question Of a
$4,000 a year increase for dry law en-
forcement as requested by the Attorney
General, but apparently not yet a mat
ter OF public interest. The Anti-Saloon
League OF Virginia Is expected to ask
mobile while drunk felony.
Seafood Observation-Disclosures Gov
elect Pollard's campaign pledges and
subsequent hearings on the longer
planter controversy revised laws are ex-
pected. While Commissioner Of Fisher
les Harry r. Houston is not a candidate
for reappointment, his successor Is not
expected to be appointed before next
June.
Health-Increased appropriations, par
ticularly for rural sanitation and aid to
counties in local health programs, are
expected. This Is the only department
OF government conceded by Republicans
in the last campaign to be efficient.
Public welfare-Increased appropria-
tons also are expected. State prisons
are crowded, and the problem Of find-
ing employment for prisoners confronts
officials
Labor-The workmen's compensation
laws are expected to be amended, and
additional safety legislation will be
| sought; an agreement with labor lead
ers is reported to have been reached by
political leaders.
Fiscal Affairs
Fiscal affairs-New accounting plans
and tax administration system having
been instituted, there will be no change
| in major policies. It has been indicated
| that estimates Of anticipated revenue
will be conservative.
Highways-Possible revisions In meth
DDS Of taxing for roads are suggested
Conservation and development-The
Shenandoah National Park development
will be pushed: State advertising pro-
| gram continued; jamestown Island will
be first State park under present plans,
and the effort toward development of
Virginia's natural resources will be con-
| tinued.
Agriculture--Already subject of a
voluminous report. the States basic in
| dustry will come before the General AS
sembly, predominantly rural in senti-
ment. Reduction in freight rates and
| extension of the cooperative idea to
include group purchasing are among the
cures recommended. Reform in the
government of counties also Is sought.
The first week Of the General Assem-
/ ki,, itsliallv does nothing more gnerfacii-