Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-01-16
Wafer Control
Bill Offered
In Assembly
Measure Provides
Plan to Combat
Stream Pollution
BY ALEX r. PRESTON,
Star Staff Correspondent.

<ANF~A4S GA 4AANA Sd>I Az koAlAb4Ol1 nklu
'educe water contamination after
July l, was before the General AS
'embly today.
Introduced in the House yester-
lay by Delegates r. Blackburn
Moore, Winchester and Clarke, and
Norman G. Bailey, Orange, the
measure would set up a five-mem-
Der board to exercise general SUPER
vision over administration and en-
forcement of all antipollution laws
and regulations.
A week ago supporters of such
legislation were encouraged by Gov.
Darden's remarks in his message
to the opening session of the AS
sembly when he said:
I hope you will take Affirmative
action on the recommendation
having to do with pollution. MANY
rivers are being converted into open
sewers. l suggest that a pollution
control board be set up as sus-
gested, and that every effort be
made to encourage our municipali-
ties to construct disposal plants for
the treatment of raw sewage. I
suggest that authority be given
the board to formulate certain
rules as to the disposition of indus
trial waste, and that it be author
lied to proceed against the indus
tries that are unwilling to comply"
Other Measures Offered.
Other measures offered yesterday
included a joint House resolution in
troduced by Delegate Stuart B.
Campbell calling for an amendment
10 the Constitution to permit the
State and local governments to tax
Federal properties in Virginia with
the consent of the United States
The resolution was passed by the
Assembly in 1914 and if it is again
approved it will be submitted to the
voters. Mr.. Campbell said there are
a number Of Federal properties in
Virginia which the United States
would allow to be taxed to com.
pensate for lost revenues.
In the Senate, Senator Andrew w
Clarke introduced a bill to amend
the Alexandria charter to estab-
hsh the jurisdiction of Domestic
and Juvenile Relations Courts. The
court, which is presided over by
Judge Marion B. West. was estab-
hshed at previous special session
ana the incumbent assumed Office
January l.
Judge West has lacked authority
70 act, Senator Clarke said. and il
is MS understanding that the court
mas SO far declined to enter anv or
oers, but has carried over cases
which have come before it until
the anticipated passage of the new
legislation. :"
Would Protect Veterans.
A Statewide measure Introduces
by the Alexandrian would validate
deeds and other documents exc
cuted by powers of attorney in be-
nan OF war veterans. Virginia
statutes do not now afford veterans
such protection, he said.
A resolution honoring the late
Senator Thomas B. Glascock was
passed by standing vote on motion
OF his successor, Senator Robert Y
Button, Culpeper.
Senator J. A. CARRIER, Harrison
burg, introduced bill authorizing
county governing bodies to estab-
lish salaries of superintendent of
the poor.
Two measures were dropped In
the House hopper by Delegate VIII
ham j. Gibson, Fredericksburg. One
would authorize the closing of all
Abe stores at noon on Wednesdavs
from June to September 30.
The second measure would rennov.
requirement that a committee of
three judges be required to set county
trial justices salaries on the basis
of the last proceeding census. The
measure, which could be of partcu-
lar significance to Washington's
metropolitan area, which has ex-
perlenced rapid growth, would pro-
vide that lin any case in which II
shall be shown to the satisfaction
OF the committee that the adoption
OF such census report will result in
an injustice to any trial justice, the
committee may accept an estimate
OF such population" based on salts
factory evidence.
Gives State Full Control.
The proposed antipollution meas
ure gives the State the right to con-
troll all waters.
Members of the proposed water
control board would be selected at
large from the State by the Gov
ernor and confirmed by the General
Assembly. Their terms would be
staggered for four years each. Sal
aired officers of industry affected by
the law would be ineligible for an
polntment. Board members would
serve at $40 per diem while attend
ing meetings, plus actual expenses.
The board would be charged with
the study and investigation of prob
lens relating to contamination. tc
establish standards of quality il
deems reasonable and necessary TO,
tne public interest, to conduct scien-
tlnc experiments, investigations anc
research; to issue certificates for the
discharge of sewage, industrial anc
other wastes: to make investigation
and inspections; to adopt rules anc
regulations governing operation Of
systems and plants now existing anc
to be constructed in the future anc
to issue special orders to enforce its
regulations and existing statutes.
| The board would issue certificates
for sewage discharge, industrial anc
other wastes in and adjacent tt
State waters, stipulating in each
certificate the conditions under
which and the time during which
such pollution would be permitted.
u Provides for Hearings.
j Hearings would be held with ap-
propriate notice before new rules
and regulations are adopted.
1t would be declared unlawful for
any one to cause pollution contrary
TO any special order issued by the
board. Within IL months any OPP
orator of a sewage discharge system
would be required to apply for a
certificate to continue such opera
lions which would not increase in
amount over the previous 12-month
period
DBL la n