Evening star., 1942-01-26
Assembly Gets
Bill 10 Unity
virginiaDefejnse
Measure Provides
Unusual Powers
For Governor
By the Associated Press.

W SSVSbBI0t
By the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 26.-A bill
to reorganize the States civilian
defense machinery was ready today
for introduction In the General
Assembly.
The measure, drafted by a COM
mittee Of city and county officials
and members Of the Legislature,
would give the Governor extraor-
dinary powers and would fix respon-
sibility and power on existing gov
ernment agencies under his control.
The bill also would provide for
designation of a local director Of
defense in each county, city and
town, would allow for setting up
local and regional councils of de-
fense, and would appropriate a sum
to be used by the Governor in carry
ing out the act.
The proposed penalty for failure
to obey rules and regulations estab-
hshed by authorities under the act
would be fine of not more than
$500 or 30 days in Jail, or both.
Provisions Of Bill.
The portion of the bill dealing with
emergency powers for the Governor
sets forth that 80 long as q State
of war exists between the United
States and any foreign power, and
so long as the resulting emergency in
this Commonwealth continues to
exist, and whenever in his Judgment
1t is, because of the war emergency,
necessary to the defense and pro-
lection of the public peace, safety,
health. morals or general welfare,
the Governor of the Commonwealth
Is hereby authorized and directed:
"(a) To proclaim and publish such
rules and regulations, and to issue
such executive orders, either oral or
in writing, governing and directing
the conduct of persons and the use
Of property within the Common.
wealth, as may in his judgment be
necessary or appropriate to protect
and defend the public peace, safety,
health, morals or general welfare
from the dangers of the war emer-
gency, which rules, regulations and
orders shall have the force and
effect Of the law.
"Cb) To employ such persons, to
provide such equipment, material
and supplies, and otherwise to ex-
pend sucn sums as may be appro-
priated by the General Assembly for
the purpose Of carrying out the pro-
visions of this act, as in his judgment
may seem best"
Recommendation on Directors.
One section provides that the
local director OF defense In each
county, city and town shall be the
city or town manager in localities
having such officials, or the Mayor:
the county manager or executive
IN counties having them, or the
chairman Of the county board of
supervisors or commissioners where
there is no county manager or ex-
ecutive.
Wherever 1t is necessary, In the
judgement of the Governor. there
may be regional defense council
and regional director Of defense.
The two houses of the General
Assembly were called to meet at
noon today.
Hearing on Budget.
The House Appropriations and
Senate Finance Committees plan
ned another public hearing at 3
O'Clock this afternoon on the $2I7,-
5Q0,0 budget bill. Time was al
lotted mainly to State educational
agencies and institutions. The two
committees are seeking to end this
week, If possible, the public hear
ings on the bill and to have the
measure on the House floor by
February 10.
Gov. Darden conferred on State
defense matters Saturday with Col.
John A. Cutchins, representing Mai.
Gen. Milton A. Reckord, commander
OF the Third Corps Area. The Gov
ernor. in a statement issued after
the conference, said it was i'm
perative for Virginia's defense
groups to be in a position for
immediate action. This can be ac-
complished, he said, only If the
leaders know to whom they must
look for orders and direction. For
that reason, he added, IT have felt
that the councils should. in most
instances. give way to single in
dividuals with power to act and
act at once when the ep,eroeony
arises"
Meanwhile. the Virginia Women's
Council Of Legislative Chairmen of
State Organizations announced yes
terday the program the II groups
represented is backing in the As
sembly.
The council generally favors i'm
proved educational conditions, a
health unit in every county. Jail re-
form, State library extension and
certain highway Safety measures