Evening star., 1938-01-19
PRICE PROPOSES
SWEEPING CHANGE
New Virginia Governor Plans
Social Security and Slash
in Poll Tax.

RICHMOND. Va, Jan. 10 (R.-Gov.
James H. Price outlined sweeping pro-
posals for changes in the State govern
ment in his inaugural address today
and told the General Assembly 1t
might be necessary to make condi-
tional or delay some Of the appropria-
tions recommended by his predecessor
in favor Of more urgent needs.
Specifically. he advocated passage
of an old-age assistance act, some
additional money for schools under 4
program Of gradual expansion, reduce
ton In the capitation tax and liber-
alization Of provisions making pay.
ment . prerequisite to voting, redis-
tricting in the General Assembly, an
eight-hour day for women in industry
and organization Of separate depart
ment for control Of hospitals for men.
tai diseases.
He asked for commissions to study
creation Of governing boards to man.
age all activities Of counties, revision
of the election laws, causes of crime
and combining of all police functions
Of the State In department OF safety.
Against All-Advised Liberality.
The new Governor declared him.
self lin hearty sympathy with the
present trend Of government toward
humanitarian ideals" although he
said he was not disposed to "extrava-
gance or ill-advised liberality."
Efforts, he said. should be directed
toward accomplishing the best that
can be obtained with the revenue and
resources At the command Of the
State government. No new taxes were
suggested.
1T seems probable that We shall
have to determine the priorities and
revise our programs accordingly. and
1t Is we'll that we should recognize
these conditions at the very outset" p"
he said, with reference to the budget
submitted by the retiring Governor,
George c. Peery.
Will Advocate Economy.
Gov. Price said he would advocate
efficiency and economy in govern
ment and declared the financial af-
fairs Of Virginia have had eficient
direction. He asserted credit should
be given the Federal Government for
relief expenditures, however, and that
1T would have been impossible for US
to have solved our problems alone
without accumulating large deficit"
His SPECIFIC recommendations in
cluded the following salient points:
Old-age assistance-Agrees in gen.
eral with the recommendations Of the
Legislative Commission, but feels the
maximum Of $50 per month probably
too high until the State has expert
ence upon which to base conclusions.
Suggests the maximum be fixed at
SIS or $40 per month. Would have
local administrative boards Of three
members, ono named by the Judge Of
the court, one by the Board Of su-
pervisors and one by the Department
Of Public Welfare. instead of having
all three named by the Judge.
Feels Jails Antiquated.
Schook-With increasing revenues,
believes the State should make q more
substantial contribution to the public
schools, praised the three-point pro-
gram Of the State Board of Education
(Which would require . $4,000 900
increase for the biennium) and ex-
presses the hope that the several OBJ
jectives can be attained in due time
by the adoption Of . gradually ex-
panding program over q period Of
years which will ultimately bring re-
suits" Urges trade and vocational
schools.
Jail system-Says present system is
antiquated. commends report of Leg
islative Commission and asserts the
situation demands remedial legisla-
ton. Asks through study of the
causes Of crime be made, with the
best expert and technical advice pos
sible on crime prevention.
Highway safety-Believes highway
safety one Of the most important mat
ters confronting the State and urges
education to make the people "acci-
dent conscious; the teaching of classes
on highway safety In the schools with
police officers to be used In delivering
school lectures.