Evening star., 1944-01-13
Assembly Gets
Darden' 'sbudqet
Program Today
Message Proposes
Referendum
On SoIes Tox
~ the Associated Press.

NSISb bSuuOolI
On SuIes Tux
~ the Associated Press. ..
( RICHMOND, Va, Jan. l3.-Demo-
Gratis OF the Senate called caucus
today to nominate president pre-
TEN Of the Senate and complete Its
organization before settling down to
the problems of = new session out
lined to the General Assembly yes
terday by Gov. Darden in his mes
sage.
The withdrawal of Senator Rob-
ert o. Norris, jr., Of Lively from the
race for the vacant position on the
State Corporation Commission left
the way clear for the election OF
Senator Harvey B. Apperson Of Ro-
anoke County to the post. His nom
ination at the joint Senate and
House caucus last night was mere
formality. since he was the lone
candidate remaining.
Senator Norris appeared the Ger
tain winner of the nomination as
president pro tenn of the Senate to
succeed the late Senator Henry T.
Wickham Of Hanover.
Budget Program Due.
Gov. Darden, who proposed ref
erendum ON a sales tax as one of
some 40 recommendations offered to
the General Assembly yesterday,
planned to submit today his budget
recommendation for the new bien-
mum.
His message was praised by As
sembly members as showing an ex-
cellent appraisal Of the problems
facing the State, and at least one
member-Senator Aubrey G. Weaver,
chairman Of the powerful Finance
Committee-said the Governor was
putting the sales tax question
squarely up to the people since the
General Assembly would never vote
for such . tax except at the man
date Of the citizens.
An early session skirmish was Of
fered the House members today in
q proposal that the delegates be
allowed additional compensation to
help meet the increased cost of liv-
ing in Richmond.
A resolution was offered yesterday
calling for an increase in compensa-
ton of $3.50, which was promptly in
creased to $3.50 in an amendment.
Neither the resolution nor the
amendment was acted on because
the House, while in the midst of a
parliamentary tangle, adopted a mo-
tion to adjourn.
Wsuld Equal Taxes.
The measure would give the dele
gates approximately the amount of
the withholding tax on their 60-day
salaries of $720.
The Governor, in suggesting a
referendum on the principle of a
stales tax, said additional sources Of
revenue would have to be tapped
when war-swollen revenues drop If
recurring expenditures are to be
maintained. No specific percentage
was recommended, but the Gov
srnor has told newspapermen that
he thought per cent tax
probably would be sufficient.
He has stated also that he would
be willing to campaign for the sales
tax idea before the referendum.
Another recommendation of the
Governors calling for the naming
Of joint legislative committee to
provide Virginians in the armed
forces with means of voting. He
offered no detailed plan, but said
no time should be lost In co-ordinat-
ing the efforts of the State and
Federal governments to his end.
Would Cut Other Levies.
Gov. Darden made plain his view
that the abnormal wartime State
revenues, now at an all-time high,
will not continue, and asserted he
considered it his duty to suggest
plan of action to continue func-
tions vital to the welfare of the
people. In suggesting the referen-
dunn on sales tax, however, he said
it's imposition should be accom-
panied by some relief in real estate
and other taxes.
Pointing out that the school sys-
TEN In Virginia now is financed
jointly by the State and localities,
he said it would not solve the school
problem to transfer sources of rev.
enue from the State to the locali-
ties. New sources of revenue, he said,
are necessary.
"We must, as soon as possible,
broaden and greatly enlarge our
system of vocational education" he
asserted. THE primary school sys-
tem-the graded and high schools
which Is the final training ground
for most of the children in Virginia,
must be made as strong as possible.
Here boys and girls should be given
sound elementary training and
then, II they do not expect to enter
a profession or wish to pursue a
liberal arts education, they should
be taught trade or skill which will
enable them to earn a living and be-
come more valuable members of So
ciety."
Other Recommendations.
Gov. Darden's recommendations.
which he placed before the assem-
blynen at the rate of one a minute
after his Introductory remarks on
the state Of the Commonwealth, in
cluded:
Amend retirement legislation by
removing the prohibition on refunds
to those withdrawing within two
years and by appropriating lump
sum for discretionary use of the
Retirement Board in the case of en-
ployes who must be retired for
physical reasons.
Change the name of Virginia Pro-
teciive Force to Virginia State
Guard.
Adopt legislation for elimination
OF fire hazards In communities
without fire protection.
Create history commission to
preserve the record of Virginia in
the war.
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