Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-01
BELST1AZZAR "SALARY'' FEAST
REELS" VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY
Legislators, Dizzy Under Spell of Gener-
osity, Inclined to Boost Pay of Every
State Employee.

placing the equalization fund entirely
in the hands OF the State Board of
Education for distribution. was adopted.
A similar amendment offered in the
House was killed.
Move Led by Barron.
Senator Barron. Norfolk, was the
leader of the movement for raises in
salaries which he commended he re-
garded as meritorious. At the morning
session Of the Senate he made a Wig
orous speech in favor of a general in
crease for department heads, declaring
that recent advances in State govern
ment could in no little part be laid to
the efficiency of State officials.
Seven of the increases proposed were
voted down when first offered, but the
sponsors, after other raises had been al
lowed, secured adoption Of amendments
virtually the same as those first pro-
posed and defeated. Senator Barron,
having lost early in the afternoon on
his amendment to increase the salaries
of the commissioner of public inStruc-
ton and the commissioner of agricul-
ture and immigration, argued success
fully that these two officials must not
be overlooked when others were given
more money.
Having approved the Morrissett in
crease, the Senate's first action was to
vote an appropriation of $4,000 to re-
imburSe Vernon r. Leigh of Southamp-
ton for property destroyed by fire
through negligence of State convicts.
Eleven amendments we're then offered
by Senator Barron carrying increases in
salaries for State officials, and for the
succeeding two hours stream of others
followed
Formalities had been dispensed with,
hn 80
framing from smoking was dropped for
the afternoon. A crowd of visitors was
In the galleries and remained there dur
ing the most enlivened session the Sem
ate has held this legislative term.
Senator Staples of Roanoke was one
of the last to offer an amendment. pro-
posing an increase of 5000 year in
the salary of the third bookekeeper in
the controllers Office. This is the only
request for raise in salary I've made, -
he argued
Senator Garrett, the finance commit
tee chairman, plainly exasperated. re-
piled: We'll, it's good time to offer
it.. If there's anybody else who has any
friends, now is a good time to help
them. The amendment was adopted.
anybody Overlooked?"
AS the evening waned, Senator Holt
who had been voting against most of
the increases, remarked: May I in
quire If there's anybody who has been
overlooked"
I've just been informed" replied
Senator Barron, that my good friend
DR.. McIlwaine, State librarian, hasn't
received an increase. I'd like to pre-
pare an amendment to that effect"
This Is the biggest joke that's been
played on the State treasury since I've
been here" declared Senator Garrett
Its a good thing we have a governor
to look after things"
Senator Montague, Richmond, offered
the amendment to increase the salary
OF the elevator conductor in the library
building. He's married man." the
Senator explained briefly, and the
70 get crumb or two from this BAN
quet table" he commented in offering
the amendment.
Senator Barron, discovering that the
salary of the commissioner of agricul-
tllre and immigration had not been in
creased, made plea for this action,
What's his age?" inquired Senator
Smith, Louisa. What difference does
1t maker" countered Barron. IT lust
wanted to know whether it's a salary
or pension" Smith replied.
About 6 o'clock Senator Layman.
Newcastle, tried to adjourn the Senate,
but withdrew his motion on the urging
OF other members who wished to secure
passage of the budget bill. I'VE ought
TO stop while there's some money left
IN the treasury" Senator Layman pro-
tested.
Senator Smith offered the motion for
the previous question a few moments
later, but there were so many amend
ments still on the clerks desk that it
took 35 minutes to consider them all.
From then until the Senate adjourned
Senator Smith became the timekeeper,
since 1t was necessary to obtain his con-
sent for anY discussion