Evening star., 1942-01-11
Virginia Turns
Legislative Mind
To Defense
Assembly Will Open
bienniol Session
Next Wednesday
- ~ Associated Press.

- ~ Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 10.-Vir-
gtnaa's biennial session Of the Gen.
eral Assembly will open Wednesday
With the major attention centered
on what 1t can do to help in the
about war effort.
Aside from matters Of defense,
larger appropriations for schools
and penal reforms will be among the
salient items ON the docket.
Gov. Price, closing out his four
year term with . surplus OF close to
$4,000 900, will deliver his message
TO the joint session of the two houses
the opening day. A week later, his
successor, Colgate w. Darden, jr., Of
Norfolk, viii be inaugurated in SIM
pls ceremonies, stripped Of all the
frfIls Of the usual peacetime in
ehg.nation.
Caucus on Tuesday.
Tuesday the Democratic caucuses
Wiu be held. Delegate Thomas B.
Stanley Of Henry County, now with
out opposition, appears certain OF
the speakership of the House to sue
esd Ashton Dovell of Williamsburg,
who did not stand for reelection to
the legislature, and in the other
wing of the Capitol there also will
be 4 new presiding oficer. William
H. Tuck of South Boston, who
stepped up from Senator to Lieuten-
ant Governor in the November elec-
ton.
On many questions the outgoing
and incoming governor appear in
substantial agreement, and there is
every indication that the war
emergency will contribute to COM
paratively harmonious session in
which secondary matters will be
postponed until another year.
Considerable speculation has been
evident as to whom Mr.. Darden may
appoint to jor cabinet" positions,
and some of the Price appointees
already are ready to step out.
Proposed Defense Legislation.
Proposed defense legislation will
include law to legalize and finance
the State and regional defense
councils: an anti-sabotage law; q
bill to control the sale, handling and
possession of explosives: a bill to
permit close pursuit of saboteurs
across the States borders: a bill
to reduce the speed limit for private
automobiles from S. to IS miles an
hour; bill to provide for the
evacuation Of populations from the
coastal areas to other sections OF
the State, and a proposal for re-
QUESTIONING private motor vehicles
In event OF emergency.
Along with the current problems
Of defense will come the question
Of salvaging at least a part OF the
surplus for possible postwar re-
cession, a recommendation Of the
outgoing administration. The total
budget will hit new peak OF more
than $500 900. 900 for the biennium.
There appears every likelihood
that the public schools will get more
money for teacher salaries and per-
haps the funds for retirement sys-
tenn in conjunction with retirement
provisions for other State employees.
and possibly money for free text
books.
Fee System Again.
The abolition of the fee system
as q method Of compensating sher-
tf1s and city sergeants, probation
and parole and establishment of
department of corrections again will
be recommended, and in view Of
the near enacement last time 1t
appears the program is likely to go
through this session.
The incoming Governors as yet
unspecifled views on the 1910 State
tax on alcoholic beverages may call
for some revision of present poll
cies of the State liquor monopoly.
Mr.. Darden has declared that the
monopoly should not be operated
for revenue purposes. giving rise to
speculation regarding repeal OF the
tax.
There are scores Of other pro-
posals to be presented. Among
them will be mild reorganization
plan. drafted by the E. Blackburn
Moore Study Commission after de-
feat of Gov Prices proposals In
1910: establishment of department
Of public safety by transfer OF the
present police and related functions
of the division of motor vehicles,
perhaps some minor overhauling OF
the election laws and child welfare
laws. overhauling of the tax laws
dealing with commercial motor We
hicles and raising the road load
limit beyond the present 5000
pounds. extension of organized
forest fire protection to unorganized
counties, expansion of public health
service to include all rural areas
and establishment of State per-
sonnel system to assure appoint
ments. tenure and promotion IN
State Jobs on the basis OF merit.
Eirnmon HnId Inrfinn