Evening star., 1944-03-11
Virginia Legislators
Speed Bills 10 End
Session Today
Fiscal Measure and
Soldier Vote Changes
To Get Quick Action
By the Associated Press.

RICHMOND, Va, Mar. 11.-Vir-
ginia legislators, saddened by the
death of Senator Aubrey G. Weaver
and injury to several other members
In the Jefferson Hotel fire last mid
night, were planning to complete
business and adjourn the 1914 ses-
sion quickly today.
Little remained to be done. Con-
ference reports must be adopted on
the s235 100000 general appropri-
ationS bill and the State employees
bonus bill, and the Senate must act
on minor House amendments to the
soldier voting legislation.
Gov. Darden, 1t. Gov. Tuck and
haif-dozen members discussed
procedure informally before retiring
after visiting the scene of the fire.
The work of the session must be
completed and several members sug-
gested that quick action and speedy
adjournment would be most ap-
propriate.
Weaver's Fiscal Policy Recalled.
Those discussing procedure as
serted that the appropriation bill,
by far the largest in the States
history, was a memorial to Senator
Weaver. chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee, who has had
much to do with the policy of fiscal
soundness which enabled Virginia
to weather the depression and in
1912 to retire the State debt.
Speedy concurrence in the amend
ments to the voting bills was indi-
Gated, since the House yesterday
disposed of the major controversial
features by defeating an attempt to
substitute the American Legion war
voters bill and then passing unani-
mously the measures advocated by
the administration.
The amendments adopted by the
House would eliminate two appoint
ments by the Governor on a COM
mission to administer the act and
would omit distinguishing markings
on the soldier ballots. House mem
bers said such markings would i'm
pair to some extent the secrecy of
the ballot.
Three Vote Bills Passed.
One OF the servicemens vote bills
passed covers Federal elections. an
other covers State and local cleo
tions and a third measure is a
"backstop" should the other bills be
nulllf1ed or declared unconstitu-
tional.
One bill provides for voting in
national elections this year without
payment of poll tax and without
registering. A second extends the
same opportunities in. State and
local elections. The third bill, which
would become operative in event
either or both of the other bills
should be nullifed, creates a. state
fund from which the poll tax of
serv1cemen may be paid on written
request.
Changes made in the budget bill
by the Senate, and rejected by the
House, included increases in salaries
to, a number Of State officials. pro-
vision for a sum sufficient" to be
spent by the Government as he
deems necessary to continue proper
operatio nof State colleges, and am
increase of $244,0 for child well
fare program.
Many Changes Acceptable.
Chairman C. c. Louderback of
the Appropriations Committee said
many of the changes were accept
able, but that the committee felt
action would be expedited by having
a conference committee on all
changes.
Submitted to conference also was
the bonus bill after the Senate re-
jected. House amendemnts. AS
passed by the House, the bill called
for a 20 per cent increase on the
first $1,000 of income and Is per
cent for the second 81 1000, provided
that no State employe may have
his compensation raised by the
bonus beyond $1,000. The Senate
bill called for Is per cent increase
on the first $4,000 and a ceiling of
$500.
The Senate adopted by vote of
rs to 10 House amendments to the
small loan law to provide a straight
212 per cent per month interest rate
on unpaid balances. The original
Senate bill called for a split rate of
3 per cent on unpaid balances UP to
$3.50 and 2 per cent on balances over
$3.50 and up to the maximum of $500
allowed for a small loan.