Evening star., 1942-02-10
Civilian Defense
Bill Changed
For Arlington
Recognition Of Board
Given in Measure
Going to Governor
By ALEXANDER r. PRESTON,
Star Staff Correspondent.

way Commission from five to nine
members. This measure passed the
House Of Delegates, SO to l, with
Delegate Maurice D. Rosenberg of
Alexandria casting the dissenting
vote.
Senator William D. Medley OF
Arlington added the amendment to
the defense legislation when the
upper branch passed the bill, which
was sponsored by Delegate o. E.
McCue of Charlottesville and others
AS passed by the House, the bill
authorizes the Board of Supervisors
of counties to name Defense direc-
tors. Because Arlington and some
other counties are not governed by
boards Of supervisors, Senator Med
ley extended this appointive power
to "other governing bodies" of coun-
ties so as to include the Arlington
County Board.
Mayors or executive officers of in
eorporated towns and cities would
serve as Defense directors and the
county governing agencies could
name q county official or private
citizen as county defense directors
In counties having incorporated
towns, the defense directors would
constitute local council.
Rosenberg Explains Dissent.
The bill to enlarge the Highway
Commission had been sent to the
House from the Senate, where it was
introduced by Senators Robert C.
Walden, Carter Glass, jr., of Lynch
burg, and Aubrey G. Weaver of
Front Royal.
Mr.. Rosenberg later explained his
vote against the bill, which would
give each of the eight highway con-
struction representation on the
commission.
"As it is proposed to be set up,"
Mr. Rosenberg said, "the work of
the Highway Commission would be
greatly hindered. Selectionalism
will creep into its consideration of
annual road programs, each man
trying to look out for the interests
OF his own district.
Under the present makeup,
where five members are appointed
from the State at large, the interests
of the State as whole receive first
consideration. This is as 1t should
be-"
The Senate passed and sent to
the House another bill by Senators
Weaver, William A. Wright of Tap
pahannock and Robert o. Norris, jr.,
of Lively, which may result in the
curtailment Of gasoline tax reve-
nues to Arlington County in future
years.
Under existing law, Arlington,
Henrico and Warwick Counties re-
mained out of the so-called Byrd
road plan" of 1880, which had to do
with distributing secondary road
funds by the State. The present law
established a floor for secondary
road revenues based on the amount
each received in 1881. The Senate
bill removes this floor and provides
that the three counties shall re-
ceive State secondary road funds in
proportion to the amounts available
for distribution. The measure was
introduced in anticipation of cur
tailed gasoline tax revenues be-
cause of tire rationing and other
defense measures.
Medley Votes for Bill.
Senator Medley said he voted for
the bill along with all the other
Senate members, because Il would
not very we'll justify position to
the contrary"
I'VE have been receiving benefits
IN excess of the 1881 minimum estab-
hshed for many years." Senator
Medley said, "and do not see how
we could expect to continue to re-
ceive the 1881 amounts at the ex-
pense of all other counties in the
State if revenues fall below the
level for that year"
The most surprising action of
yesterdays session was the House s
advancement of the Gibson small
loan bill to the passage stage with
out a dissenting voice being raised.
This plan for cutting the small loan
interest rate from 31a to per cent
q month, another of the Governors
recommendations, reached the
House with unanimous approval Of
the Committee on Insurance and
Banking, but it was vigorously pro-
tested in committee by counsel for
the small loan companies.
Compromise School Bus Bill.
Chief among the new proposals
introduced yesterday was a COM
promise school bus bill calling for a
State appropriation of $650,000 a
year to the localities toward defray-
ing school bus operation costs. OF
this total, one-half would be dis
bursed in proportion that a county's s
total school bus mileage bears to
the States total school bus mileage
and the other half would be in pro-
portion to the number of school
buses operated.
Another new bill would permit
persons serving in the military
forces to appoint other persons to
make declarations of candidacy for
them in the event that they are
unable to make the declarations in
person. The bill also would permit
such persons, If elected, to qualify
for their positions after the usual
time.
Bills also were presented to
exempt volunteer f1remen from jury
service and to permit counties to
enter into contracts with volunteer
fremen for fire protective services.
Sir Clutha Mackenzie, blind for
mer member of the New Zealand
Parliament and veteran of the
battle of Gallipoli, was a House
visitor and spoke briefly, declaring
that the aims of his country and
the United States were the same
preservation of democracy. He was
blinded In the First World War, and
was knighted In 1885 for his work
IN behalf of the blind.