The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-06
1,l3l New
Laws Made
$1,000,O 900 State Art Cal
lery Measure Prompt.
Last Minute Debate

RALEIGH, April 5.-(P-With q
final flood of oratory, the 1947
General Assembly talked its way
into history tonight.
Gavels of Speaker of the House
Thomas j. Pearsall and 1t. Gov.
L. Y. Ballentine, president Of the
Senate, fell simultaneously in both
houses at 10:07, although clocks
in the two houses had been stop
pee at 8 p. m.
During the SO days in session
the Legislature ground out a total
of 1908 bills and 33 resolutions,
making a total of 1,131 new laws.
While waiting to adjourn the
House of Representatives heard
Governor Cherry in a brief speech.
The governor said: 1.-THE states
fiscal policy will be balanced, and
North Carolina will be launching
out on its broadcast field of service
in the states history"
Speaker Tom Pearsall told House
members that the Legislature
Twill stand out because we have
legislated not for one group, not
for one class, but for all the
people in North Carolina"
An administration-backed meas
ure to appropriate ST. 900, 900 from
surplus funds for a state art gal
lery brought a brilliant-and At
times bitter--debate in the House
of Representatives today.
The parliamentary situation was
such that it threatened for a while
to delay sine die adjournment
which was scheduled for nine p.
M.
After the long debate, the House
voted 40 to AZ in favor of the ap-
preparation which has two offs"
attached to tiff there is a gener-
al fund surplus at the end Of the
fiscal year, and If it is matched
by a gift.
The House was told that
wealthy northerner, whose name
was not divulged, was prepared to
make the state a gift of $1,000, 900
for the art gallery and valuable
old masters if the state would
meet him halfway and make the
appropriation.
The measure was passed only
after the House had adopted an
amendment by Rep. Fred Register
of Vance which will, in effect,
delay the project until late in 1948.
Under this amendment, the ap-
preparation cannot be made until
all other appropriations made by
this General Assembly have been
met. Proponents of the measure
said that this may result in with
drawal of the offer.
While the House was debating
the art gallery, the Senate was
passing on third reading a meas
ure providing for local option
votes on wine and beer In counties
and municipalities.
The bill provides for doubling
present taxes on beer and wine
and for the distribution of ap-
proximately 81, 900, 900 to be raised
in this way among counties and
cities which permit their sale.
The House quickly concurred In
minor Senate amendments to the
measure.
The Senate also gave its ap-
proval to a bill, aimed at COM
munists, to define and provide q
still punishment for subversive &C
tivities.
The House passed a bill to set up
a shellfish division in the state de-
partment of conservation and
development. The bill carries an
appropriation of 500, 900 and in
creases the tax on oysters from
four to eight cents a bushel to
provide funds for an intensive pro-
gram to increase production OF
oysters and other shellfish.
The House passed a bill designed
to reduce danger of fires in hotels
by requiring alarm systems, auto
matic sprinklers, fireproof con-
struction and watchmen during the
night hours.
The closing session brought a
formal announcement from Rep.
Dan Tompkins of Jackson that he
will be a candidate for lieutenant
governor in the Democratic pr1-
mary next year. Tompkins, a vet
eran of four legislative sessions, Is
a staunch dry and a determined OPP
ponent of the Houses tWo-thirds OF
Confined on Page Two; Col. u