Evening star., 1942-01-21
Darden Takes
Oath as Virginia
Governor
Inaugural Address
Makes Sweeping
Recommendations

Recommendations
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 2l.-Gov.
Colgate w. Darden, jr., urging that
all plans for undertakings which
would in any way impede prosecu-
ton of the war be laid aside until
victory, outlined q sweeping pro-
gram of legislation and administra-
tive changes in brief, recommended
tion-packed inaugural address today.
The address, which, like the in
augural ceremony, was shorn of all
peacetime frills, placed specific
views of the new chief executive
before the General Assembly.
Recommendation included:
Immediate enactment of legis-
lation which will permit civilian
defense to be organized with the
full authority of the Commonwealth
behind it.
2-Abolish the Unemployment
Compensation Commission and ap-
point a capable administrator to
direct the work.
tIncrease the membership Of
the State Highway Commission
from five to eight and give each
of the eight construction districts
representation.
Division of Motor Vehicles.
Abolish the director of the Di-
vision OF Motor Vehicles, continue
both highway patrol and taxing and
licensing functions of the division
under officials responsible to the
Governor.
5-Repeal the 10 per cent tax on
liquors enacted in 1910 and mate
rally reduce prices to combat boot
Logging. Take the sale of fortified
wines out of the hands of private
licensees and place 1t in State
liquor stores.
6. In our general plans public
education comes first" Provide bet
ter opportunities for vocational eou-
cation, State appropriation for
minimum salary of s720 per teacher
and guarantee them reasonable an
nuities at the age of retirement.
Wants Retirement Plan.
7. Enact a retirement plan for
State employees, financed, as in the
case of teachers, by joint contribu-
tions. Require the judiciary and
other officials who now enjoy retire.
ment to contribute.
8. Reform the penal system and
act on suggestions OF commissions
which have agreed in most particu-
lars. Make funds available for OPP
Grafton of the States probation sys-
TEN and extend the present law to
provide more latitude in dealing
! with adults Permit installment
payment of fines. acquire and de-
velop prison farms.
9. Take off of a busy Chief Exec
utive the cases of unfortunates who
merit consideration after entering
prison. Delegate this parole work
to a full-time offlcial of the highest
type appointed for period of years
and free from political pressure, act
ing with an advisory board of able
citizens.
Urges ReappOrtionment.
10. Reapportion representation in
the State Senate and House of Dele
gates-"imperative if our demo-
cratic system is to function as It
should"
H. Hopes all eight recommended
tions of the Moore Reorganization
Commission may be enacted into
law.
IL. Exclude only those employers
of less than three persons from the
workmen's compensation law, in
stead of employers of less than II.
At the same time raise the max
imum compensation from sic to s18
per week-the national average.
13. Amend the unemployment
compensation law to provide for
payment of compensation where
four or more persons are employed,
instead of eight or more.
IA. Conserve the States surplus.
insofar as possible, to take care of
demands that must be met when
the present emergency spending
ceases.
Elimination of Discounts.
Is. Eliminate discounts at certain
State institutions for medical serv-
ices and put citizens on an equal
footing with inability to pay the
only basis for any concession. Favor
elimination of the Constitutional
provision as to free service by trans
portation and transmission COM
panies.
16. Reduce maximum interest
rate Of small loan companies from
AZ to 20 per cent per year.
II. Clarity and strengthen usury
laws to deal with situations which
have come to the attention of the
Commissioner Of Banking.
18. Amend statutes covering coin
vending machines to clearly pro-
hibit operation of slot machines.