Evening star., 1947-01-16
Wide Powers
Control Rent!
Asked by Tuck
Authority Is Sought
To Permit Action in
Any Emergency
By Alex R. Preston
By Alex R. Preston
stur stoH corrs.nondsnt

Stor Stoff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 16.-A
State rent control bill that could
be invoked after Federal regulations
are lifted July 1, today was virtually
replaced by q f1ve-year-old measure
sponsored by Charles r. Fenwick,
Arlington, in an attempt to win
General Assembly support before
the special session adjourns.
Following up his controversial
teacher pay and labor legislative
program, Gov. Tuck placed another
controversial issue before the Legis-
lature by asking enactment of a
State rent control law. He said he
wants authority to act in any emer-
|gency that might arise from undue
rent raises after Federal controls
cease.
A bill to this effect was introduced
by Delegate Walter Scott, Roanoke
and was almost killed by the House
Courts of Justice Committee yes
terday. 1t was patterned after the
so-called Dewey law" in New York
State and provoked widespread
opposition here.
Substitute Bill Drafted.
During lengthy session, the COM
mittee agreed to draft a bill in the
nature of substitute and to en-
body nearly all of the features of
legislation passed in 1912 and spon-
sored by Mr.. Fenwick while a mem
Der Of the House Of Delegates.
The Fenwick measure expired by
its own limitation during the war
years and the subcommittee agreed
to make the new law expire SINH
larly on July I, 1948. # the necessity
for control continues next year, the
1948 General Assembly can extend
the law, members said.
Delegate w. Selden Washington,
Alexandria, who earlier opposed the
rent control legislation, yesterday
succeeded in obtaining tentative
approval of an amendment over
coming his objection. He stated
earlier a rent control law would
discourage new construction but the
Courts of Justice Committee agreed
to his amendment to exclude from
control construction started or COM
pleted after yesterday.
Lynch Supports Bill
Delegate Edwin w. Lynch, who
has real estate developments in
Fairfax County within Washing
toms Metropolitan Area, said he
supported the principle of the bill.
Meanwhile, another administra-
tion-sponsored measure - teachers
pay raises-was scheduled to arrive
on the floor Of the House today,
but including conditional amounts
totaling $4,000 more than Gov.
Tuck asked for the 1918 fiscal
year. :
In the third meeting within two
days, the House Appropriations
Committee approved a modified ver-
sion of a teachers pay bill amend
ment sponsored by Delegate Robert
Whitehead, Nelson County.
The Nelson County delegate sought
to add $1,500,000 to the Governors
$6,500,000 school program during the
next 18 months. At the same time
he sponsored separate legislation to
levy 10 per cent tax on wine and
liquor to finance even greater pay
increases than his $1,500,000 amend
ment allowed.
Tax Measure Killed.
The House Finance Committee,
which had been studying the bill
for three days, yesterday killed the
tax measure but Mr.. Whitehead said
he reserved the right to ask the
House to discharge the committee
and bring the bill up on the floor
if later developments made this step
necessary.
The Appropriations Committee,
headed by c. G. Louderback, War
rem and Page Counties, made the
81, ,000,00 added appropriation con-
ditional on the Governors certifica-
ton that funds were on hand, the
chairman said. Action was taken In
executive session and the names of
members who voted for the proposal
could not be learned, but Mr.. Loud
erback said it was approved II to l.
The committee refused to make
available the $500,000 Mr.. White
head sought for raises above the
Governors program during the first
six months of this year.
The third portion of Gov. Tuck s
program for which the special ses-
sion of the Assembly has been called
remained in a Senate committee for
further study and may be reported
today. The legislation comprises
two bills to prohibit closed shops in
|intrastate enterprises and to prevent
Interruptions of essential public
utility services without notice to give
the State time to take over op-
erations.
Resolution Adopted.
The House adopted joint reso-
luton by Delegate Lynch, Fairfax
directing the Virginia Advisory Leg
islative Council to study problems
confronting the Arlington -Alexand-
ria Fairfax area. The sponsor said
the issues are complex, including
that of future annexation within
this area.
Yesterday at l pm. was the final
hour for introduction of any legisla-
ton without unanimous consent OF
without the Governors approval.
Just under the wire was a joint
resolution directing the Legislative
Council to study the question o1
legalized horse racing to provide
additional revenue The sponsor
was James E. Gardner, Richmond
Students Attend Sessions
Of Maryland Legislature
BY Stuff Correspondent of. The stor
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Jan. 16.-Ap.
proximately 30 students of Mont.
gomery Blair Junior High School
Silver Spring, got a first-hand view
| of legislative procedure yesterday
when they attended sessions of tn.
Maryland House Of Delegates ane
Senate.
The students, led by several teach.
ers and parents, included Sally Let