Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-02-05
Park Bond Bill
Is Introduced
By Fenwick
Provides Referendo
Acquiring New
Recreation Facilities
BY ALEXANDER r. PRESTON,
star staff Correspondent.

Tie ~ per CcnL LAX OIL Hdru uquOIs
and passage of a revised defense
bill, two pieces Of legislation spon-
sored by Northern Virginia repre-
sentatives were introduced before
yesterday.
The Senate, in short session, adj
vanced two other bills sponsored by
Arlington County representatives.
A bill introduced by Delegate
Charles r. Fenwick of Arlington
in the House would authorize
the county board to issue bonds
to acquire lands for the estab-
lishment Of parks, Fairgrounds
and other recreational facilities
when so instructed by a referendum
of qualified voters. The Circuit
Court judge would be required to
order referendum or the petition
of 1000 or more qualified voters.
The referendum and bond issue
would be governed by existing laws.
A second new bill by Mr.. Fem
wick on which Delegate W. N.
Nef Of Abingdon is co-patron,
would appropriate $4,000 on Janu-
airy Of each year for State aid IN
purchasing schoolbooks for INDECENT
children. The annual State appro-
priation would be apportioned to the
localities in proportion to the school
population of the previous year. The
State aid would depend upon match
ing funds for the same purpose be-
ing advanced by the localities.
Pawnbroker Bill Passage Today.
The Senate is due to pass and
send to the Governor today Mr..
Fenwick's bill to require pawn
brokers to make daily reports to
police of goods received and names
Of borrowers.
A bill by Senator William D.
Medley. also of Arlington, desig-
mated the simultaneous death act"
was advanced to the second read
ing stage today. The measure would
provide for the disposition of prop
erty where there Is insufficient
evidence that persons have died
other than simultaneously.
The House suspended the con-
stitutional reading Of the revised
civilian defense bill prepared by
Delegate o. E. McCue of Char
lottesville, and others, and passed
the measure, SO to 0.
Suspension of the constitutional
reading brought forth sharp criti-
cism from Delegate Maurice D.
Rosenberg of Alexandria, who said
he would vote for the bill but ex-
pressed the opinion that the House
members should be given an oppor-
tunity to acquaint themselves with
its provisions.
The bill, as passed, establishes the
Governor as chief defense officer
and the Mayors or executive officers
of cities and towns as defense direc-
tors and provides that the governing
bodies of counties shall elect de-
Tense director. In counties, such as
Fairfax, the Mayors of incorporated
towns would act as defense directors
and the County Board of Supervisors
would elect a county director. In
the event of disagreement. the Gov
ernor would be empowered to name
the director for the entire county.
The first full-scale debate of the
session developed on the floor Of
the House yesterday on the proposal
to repeal the 10 per cent tax on
hard liquors. The bill is sponsored
by Delegate E. Blackburn Moore Of
Berryville, and others.
Cites d. c. Competition.
Mr. Moore discussed the decrease
in revenues In the borderline areas
of the State, and he mentioned in
particular the District of Columbia,
where lower prices have cut deeply
into the States revenues from the
Northern Virginia area.
Mr.. Moore declared that in the
Northern Virginia area, including
Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William,
Loudoun, Fauquier, Clarke, Fred
erick. Warren and Rappahannock
Counties and the city of Alexandria,
sales have decreased 121 per cent
in the 1940-1 fiscal year, compared
with the previous 12-month period.
Mr.. Rosenberg asked Mr.. Moore
how the repeal of the tax would
promote temperance, to which the
reply was given that lower costs
would promote purchases in the
State dispensaries which condition
IN itself would tend to reduce con-
sumption.
Does the gentleman believe a bill
limiting the profits of the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board to 10 per
cent would accomplish the same
end?" Mr.. Rosenberg inquired.
Mr.. Moore replied that the A. B. c..
Board prefers to have flexible sys-
tenn under which 1t can operate.
Delegate Robert Whitehead of
Nelson County was the principal
speaker against Mr.. Moore's bill.
The reorganization of State gov
eminent departments bill was re-
ported out of the Senate General
Laws Committee yesterday with an
understanding by committee mem
bers that final action would be de-
layed in the Senate until after
sportsmen's interests have been
given an opportunity to be heard.
The sportsmen desire to be heard
on the provision that the Commits
sion of Game and Inland Fisheries
be reduced in the number of its
members. The Legislative Commit
tee Of the State Isaak Walton
League Is to meet here Saturday
and the General Laws Committee
will wait until after its scheduled
meeting early next week before
recommending that the reorganiza-
ton bill be passed. The. measure
was reported out yesterday, how
ever, so that it can be placed on
| the Senate calendar to save time.
The Senate Fish and Game Com
mittee reported out joint House
resolution which calls upon the
United States Fish and Wildlife
Service to move the 60-day duck
hunting season from November / to
December /.
The Arlington-Fairfax Chapter Of
the Isaak Walton League last week
Endorsed this resolution and also
took similar action with respect to
the request to the Fish and Wildlife