Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
By Alex R. Preston
S,or St1-f Correspondent

RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 30.-A pro-
posal to restrict the sharing of alco-
holic beverage control profits by
partially-dr localities and to ex-
clude totally dry communities alto
gether, today appeared certain to
stir up a controversy in the General
Assembly.
Under plan advanced by Dele
gate J. Brady Altman Of Rocky
Mount, localities which permit the
sale of liquor but prohibit beer and
wine would receive rs per cent OF
their normal share. Those permit
ting wine and beer sales, but BAN
ming hard liquor would get so per
cent.
This measure and one by Delegate
Robert J. McCandlish, jr, of Fair
fax County, permitting the closing
of clerks Offices on Saturdays, were
among those expected to be intro
duced today.
Drys to Fight Bill.
Some Assembly observers expected
the Altman proposal to send Vir-
ginia's dry organizations into great
activity to fight its passage.
About is counties and 18 towns,
mostly in western parts of the State,
would lose revenues under the plan.
The measure would permit the dry
communities to participate fully in
ABC profits until six months after
enactment of the law and would
then require a wet vote by referen-
dunn to continue full participation.
Delegate McCandlish said his bill
would permit clerks offices to re-
main closed all day on Saturdays
instead of being kept open until l
pm, as at present. Two require
ments would be necessary. however
the judge would have to order the
closing and the governing body of
the county, city or town would have
to consent.
Provides More Holidays.
Another feature of the bill would
apply only to Fairfax County. 1t
would give the clerks Office several
holidays in addition to Sundays,
July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas
which now are allowed.
Mr.. McCandlish said the bill was
requested by Thomas p. Chapman,
jr., clerk of the Fairfax Circuit
Court, and the county Board OF
Supervisors.
At yesterdays session in the
House, the non-partisan election
feature of the Richmond Charter
bill continued to occupy the spot
light.
Delegate G. Edmund Massie Of
Richmond, one of the sponsors,
pleaded for fairness in consideration
of the measure.
The bill was set for a special and
continuing order of business Tues
day by the House Committee on
Counties, Cities and Towns.
Mr.. Massie's plea was directed to
more than 80 members of the House
who were reported to have been
pledged to vote against the bill
unless the portion relating to non
partisan elections of q City Council
is amended to permit bipartisan
contests.
Requires Four-fi fths Vote.
The members who repeatedly have
signed the pledge have remained
anonymous. A block of that size
could kill the bill because 1t car
ries an emergency clause requiring
a four-flfths vote for passage. There
oro Inn uoi1ce members
Declaring such an agreement Is
unprecedented while bill still Is
In committee, Mr.. Massie urged
those who had signed to withdraw
their names.
The House passed joint resolu-
ton renewing the General Assem-
bly's opposition to diversion of high
way funds. Delegate N. C. Bailey
If Orange was the chief patron of
the measure.
Delegate ]. Maynard Magruder of
Arlington introduced bill to set
UP an advisory board to the State
Corporation Commission to regulate
the solicitation of funds for medical
care.
Mr.. Magruder headed a special
legislative commission appointed to
study the problem The bill would
require all such groups, except the
Red Cross. to register with the COM
mission. Any group whose expenses
amount to 20 per cent or more OF
the goal to be reached would be
forbidden to solicit funds.
Would Extend Terms.
Delegate Edward T. Haynes OF
Richmond, introduced a resolution
calling for a constitutional amend
ment on the question of increasing
the terms of State senators from
four to six years and of delegates
from two to four years.
Senator Charles T. Moses of APP
pomattoX, chairman Of special
legislative commission studying the
public school system, introduced a
bill providing for State operation
of school buses.
Participation in the program
would be optional with local school
boards if they acted this year. He
proposed a 100000 appropriation
from the States general fund to
carry out the program. One of his
commissions recommendations was
for a per cent sales tax to pay
for the school program.
The State Chamber of Commerce
yesterday requested the House and
Senate to use their influence on
Congress toward a $40 000. 900 900 re-
duction in Federal expenditures as
a means of stabilizing the Nations
economy.
A strong plea for more State aio
to education was made by spokes-
men for the Virginia Education AS
ISOLATION at joint Senate House
committee hearing. Robert F. Will
liams, executive secretary of the
YEA, said there is great need fol-
trained teachers and estimated al
least $275 100000 worth of school,
construction and repairs are needed
He commended Gov Tuck fol
adding an average $50 salary in
crease for teachers but urged that
he 60 further.