Evening star., 1946-03-16
4 Surveys Ordered
By Virginia Assembly
May Form AZ Agenda
By the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va, Mar. 16.-Some
of the most important legislation to
come before the 1948 General Assem-
bly, may be formulated as a result
OF % studies authorized by the recent
gathering of lawmakers.
Several of the studies to be made
are of wide interest to the State
at large-in particular one dealing
with possible reorganization of the
State government-While others are
of limited interest.
The General Assembly approved
the organization of nine new study
commissions and the continuation
of two others which had been in
existence prior to the recent session.
1t also, instructed the Virginia
Advisory Legislative Council to con-
duct 10 studies and ordered that the
departments of education and well
fare jointly consider the question of
nonresident child care in the State
Governor to Participate.
In calling for a study of the pres
ent form of State government, the
Legislature specified that the COM
mission be made up of the Governor
and such other outstanding citizens,
business and professional men as he
might appoint. All departments, di-
visions, institutions and agencies of
the State government would come
in for investigation. Particular at
tention is to be given to simplifying
and making more efficient the pres
ent form. The commission is to rec
ommend any consolidation and re-
organization it considers necessary.
The existing form of assessment
for taxation of property of public
service corporations will be studied
by a committee to be made up of
not more than II members. One
will be from the State Senate, two
from the House of Delegates, not
more than six to be appointed by
the Governor. The attorney gen.
eral and State tax commissioner will
be ex-officio members.
The committee also will study the
existing system of taxation of rail-
road companies upon the basis ot
gross receipts and consider whether
it is fair and equitable as compared
with systems of taxation in other
States.
Staunton Hospital Sought.
The public utility assessment
study was recommended by both for
mer Gov. Darden and Gov. Tuck.
Looking to acquisition by the
State of Woodrow Wilson General
Hospital between Staunton and
Waynesboro, study commission or
ganized early in the past session
will be continued. It recommended
that the State purchase the hospi-
tai, soon to be declared surplus by
the Federal Government. This
commission was continued to follow
up its recommendation.
State employees will be the subject
of several studies. One will investi-
gate their minimum wages and max
imum working hours. Another will
study the present system whereby
school teachers employ and pay SUBJ
stitutes when i'll and the feasibility
of their being given sick leave as are
other State employees.
Retirement to Be Studied.
A third study will consider includ-
ing county and city treasurers
commemorative attorneys, commits.
sioners of the revenue, sheriffs, SER
geants court clerks and their en-
ployes in the State retirement sys.
tenn and whether it would be better
to set up a separate contributory
retirement system for the group.
The Home for Needy Confederate
Women in Richmond will come ir
for an extensive investigations
study which probably will determine
whether or not the State will con.
tinue to give financial aid to the in.
Stitution.