Evening star., 1942-01-31
Virginia Assembly
Will Hear Byrd Today
Al Colonial Capitol
Legislature Holds Bienniol
Commemorative Session
At Williamsburg

By the Associated Press.
WILLIAMSBURG Va, Jan. 81
Members of the Virginia General
Assembly, accompanied by Gov.
Darden and other State officials,
came here from Richmond by special
train today for their biennial COM
memorative session in the restored
colonial capitol building.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of Vir-
ginia, was to deliver the principal
address at the joint session of the
two branches of the Legislature in
the House of Burgesses Hall. Later
the assemblymen were to be the
luncheon guests Of officials Of Co.
lonial Williamsburg, Inc, at the
Williamsburg Lodge.
The two houses received number
of important new proposals yester-
day before recessing.
Senators William A. Wright of
Essex, Harry C. Stuart of Russell
and Burr P. Harrison of Win
chester submitted a bill carrying
out Gov. Darden's recommendation
for abolition of the Office of direc-
tor of the division of motor vehicles
and separation of the police and
licensing functions of the division.
The bill, drafted by the attorney
general, was similar to one offered
in the House Thursday.
Fenwick Submits Bill.
In the House, Delegate Charles R.
Fenwick of Arlington submitted his
bill to readjust taxes on commercial
motor vehicles. In line with recon-
mendations of a commission he
headed, the measure would benefit
about IS per cent of the truck opera
tors and increase the taxes for the
remaining Is per cent, Mr.. Fenwick
said.
The House also received a bill
which would amend the law covering
farmers co-operatives to provide for
the payment of an annual member
ship fee, provide for the payment of
savings or earnings on a patronage
basis, and fix the fees and taxes on
purchasing co-operatives on a basis
which the patrons said would be
uniform with other co-operatives
engaged In comparable activities.
A bill was offered by Senators
Carter Glass, jr., and Morton G.
Goode of Dinwiddie to authorize
counties, cities and towns to set up,
at the direction of the State Corpo-
ration Commission, commissions
with power to zone areas adjacent to
airports. Should a locality fail to
act in so days. the Corporation Com
mission would have authority to
proceed with the coming.
Penal Reform Bill Passes.
A bill substituting single admin
istrator for the Unemployment Com
penSation Commission won unop-
posed passage in the Senate, and
the House gave like approval to the
first of a series of penal reform
measures, the Spiers bill setting up
q department of corrections to take
over administration of the States
penal reforms.
The U. c. C. bill, carrying an
emergency clause making it effec-
tive Immediately on passage and
signature by the Governor, was
called up out of its regular order
shortly after unanimous approval
by the Senate Finance Committee.
Constitutional readings were dis
pensed with and the bill was passed
by $50 vote.
1t provides a $500 salary for
single administrator, who would
supplant the present three-man
commission. Present members are
Maj. Frank P. Evans of Front Royal,
Col. William M. Kemper of Dan
vile, former executive assistant to
Gov. Price, and Labor Commissioner
Thomas B. Morton, an ex off1cio
member, who serves without addi-
tional compensation.
Spiers Bill Approved.
The Spiers bill, passed by an $40
vote in the House, would provide
a five-member board of corrections
and a commissioner selected by the
Governor. subject to confirmation
by the General Assembly. The COM
missioner would receive salary not
exceeding $500 a year. The de-
partment would succeed to the pow
ers and duties of the State Prison
Board and in addition would be
given wide authority to supervise
and regulate jails and lockups and