Evening star., 1944-03-12
Assembly Ends
Session After
Passing Budget
Virginia Legislators
Soddened by Deoth
Of Senator Weaver
BY the Associated Press.

VI Sen0tor weaver
BY the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, March 1.-THE vir-
gian General Assembly adjourned
its 1914 session late today after
acting on the s235, ,000, 900 general
bill and a bonus
providing added compensa-
ton for State workers.
Adjournment, delayed for some
time by the reading OF the lengthy
report of the House committee
which investigated law enforcement
conditions in Norfolk County, came
shortly after 6 pm. The session
was saddened &C the close by the
tragedy of the Hotel Jefferson fire
which claimed among its victims
Senator Aubrey G. Weaver, chair
man of the Finance Committee, and
Mrs. James H. Price, widow of the
former Governor.
Resolutions expressing shock and
distress at their deaths were adopted
by the Assembly, and when the Sem
ate adjourned it was in memory
of the Senate leader.
Norris Pays Tribute.
Senator Robert o. Norris, jr,
president pro tenn of the Senate
and long time friend of Senator
Weaver, praised the character and
service of the Senate leader. The
desk of the Senator was draped in
black.
The Senate adopted without dis
cussjbn House amendments to the
administration supported Senate
soldier voting measures passed
unanimously yesterday by the
House. These amendments elimi-
nate appointment by the Governor
of two members to the commission
to administer the act and eliminate
distinguishing markings on the ball
lots, which will be the same as other
ballots.
The House passed a Senate bill to
provide mandamus proceedings to
have the Supreme Court test the
constitutionality of the elections
laws.
BALDWIN Bill Approved.
The Senate passed the Baldwin.
De Jarnette House bill providing for
financial responsibility on the part
Of motor vehicle drivers in the State,
and the Baldwin House bill to per-
NIT man and wife to use each others
liquor ration books to purchase alco-
holic beverages. The Baldwin bill
was amended to authorize the State
Liquor Board on unanimous vote to
withdraw the privilege to couples
in event of abuse.
The House adjourned at got pm.
and the Senate few minutes later.
until the constructive session at
noon March Is.
The changes to the budget bill
agreed on in conference and con-
CURED in by both houses eliminated
a number of salary increases voted
by the Senate.
The bonus bill is finally approved
provides for the House proposal of
20 per cent increase for State work.
ers on the first 81 900 of income and
Is per cent on the second $1,000,
and for a ceiling at the "compro-
mise" figure of $1,000. The Senate
had provided fiat Is per cent in
crease on the first $4,000 with the
proviso that such additional COM
pensation would not make the total
compensation of an employe more
than $500. The House had set
this ceiling at 5000.
Governor Thanks Members.
The date for elimination of SUI
preme Court sessions at Wytheville
was set at July /. 1916. under an
amendment agreed to by the two
houses. The Senate agreed to this
amendment by vote of 27 to 5.
Gov Darden, In a farewell mes
sage, expressed gratitude for the
work of the Assembly.
This Assembly. which has so
much to its credit, draws to a close
under the somber shadow of a dis
aster that has touched the heart
and spirit of us all" the message
said.
Other laws passed by the 1914
session included: Legislation in the
educational field-raising State aid
for public schools to 5000 per teacher
unit and supplying additional money
to localities which may be used for
schools, and merging of Mary Wash
ington College and the University
of Virginia, and Radford State
Teachers College and Virginia Poly
technic Institute.
Capital outlay appropriations of
$4,000, 600 for State hospitals and
institutions of higher learning and
other institutions.
Raising of the interest rates per-
nl;ssible for loans made by small
loan companies from 2 to 81 per
cent.
Measures to regulate anticipated
Increases in postwar air traffic.
Major proposals defeated in
cluded sales tax legislation, bills
for boiler inspection, resolution
to abolish the poll tax and the
naturalization" bill to require new-
corners to Virginia to file an in
tention to become citizen of the
State one year before being allowed