Evening star., 1942-02-07
Assembly Votes
First Major Bill
In This Session
Virginia U. c. c.
Is PIoced Under
Single Director
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 7.-Mem.
bers Of the Virginia General As
sembly were rewarded for . week OF
diligept work today by enjoying
their first Saturday OF In three
weeks.
A number of important bills were
speeded toward final disposition
during the week.
The bill substituting single ad-
for the present three
member Unemployment Compensa-
ton Commission, as recommended
by Gov. Darden, became the flrst
major measure to pass both houses
and be sent to the Governor. The
bill will become effective as soon AZ
he signs it.
Most Of the principal bills to re.
ceive approval by only one branch
so far have been passed by the
House of Delegates, which this week
put through the bills repeating the
10 per cent tax on liquors and wines,
recognizing the States civilian de-
fense plans, reducing highway speed
limits, raising the maximum weekly
and total payments under the
workmen's compensation act and
creating a Statewide probation and
parole system.
The Senate passed the bill to
enlarge the Highway Commission to
q chairman and one member from
each of the eight construction dis
tricts, the Daughton resolution for
a constitutional amendment limit
ing the literary fund to $40. 900 900
maximum and the Page resolution
for a constitutional amendment pro-
viding a three-member pardon board
to relieve the Governor Of clemency
cases.
Wine Bill Approved.
The E. B. Moore bill for reor-
ganizing several departments OF the
state government, including re-
vision of terms Of the Fisheries,
Game and Conservation Commis-
sion members, previously passed the
House and is on the Senate calendar
for action early next week.
The House-approved bill making
the Governor the head Of the civil
ian defense organization was re-
ported yesterday by the Senate
Courts of Justice Committee and
seems assured of early approval.
Bills to reduce the interest rate
on small loans to 2 per cent and
to forbid sale of fortified wines out
side of State liquor stores-two OF
Gov. Dardens recommendation
have been reported by committees
and are on the House calendar.
A bill to abolish the ONCE of di-
rector of the motor vehicles division
and separate the police and licensing
functions of the division was re-
committed by the House yesterday
for minor amendments, but a Sem
ate bill for the same purpose is now
on the calendar in that chamber
and may be passed first.
The Senate yesterday passed 10
uncontested bills, Joined with the
House In electing James Harrison
May as judge Of the Staunton
Corporation Court and adjourned
until Monday noon, as did the
House.
Among the bills passed by the
House were the Burnett Miller bill
authorizing State troopers to make
arrests on the basis of police tele-
type or radio messages giving the
name, description and charge
against the person to be arrested,
and the Stallard- Hopkins -Boschen
bill to impose the annual State reve-
nue. license taxes on optometrists.
Bank Closing Proposed.
New legislation proposed yester-
day included bill by Senator Fred
c. Parks, Abingdon Republican, to
repeal the absent voters law; bill
by Senator Aubrey G. Weaver OF
Front Royal to require circuit judges,
in naming county welfare boards, to
appoint one member from the Board
Of Supervisors or one member from
a list of three names submitted by
the supervisors. and bill by Sena-
tor Hunsdon Cary of Henrico to
abolish school trustee electoral
boards and have school boards
elected the boards of supervisors.
Senators M. M. Hillard Of Ports
mouth and Charles w. Crowder OF
Richmond offered bills to authorize
two or more counties to establish
housing authorities for erection OF
low-cost housing for farmers and
to authorize city councils to pass
ordinances for slum clearance.
Delegate c. C. Louderback Of
Page introduced a bill to authorize
banking institutions to close when
an enemy attack occurs or appears
near.
Two insurance bills offered in the
House would provide minimum tax
on insurance companies OF $500 for
the States general fund.
Another House bill proposed crea-
ton of an eight-man commission to
plan a permanent and suitable
memorial" commemorating the land
ing of the first group Of African Ne
groes at jamestown In 1919.
Loudoun Opens Schools