Evening star., 1948-02-13
hoye0n 10 Save
State Measure
Aiding Arlington
Five Bills Offered
To Curb Virginia
Race Segregation
BY Alex R. Preston
Sfcr Stoff Correspondent

mites to receive additional benefits
from distribution of State funds,
threatened with defeat by, coali-
ton of delegates from rural sections.
yesterday was referred to the Coun-
ties, Cities and Towns Committee
in an, attempt to save it.
Areas that receive funds on a
per-capita basis, and which have
shown heavy population gains since
the 1910 census, would beneflt most
from the legislation.
Yesterdays session also saw the
Introduction of a new sales tax bill
the fourth offered--and five new
bills to abolish segregation Of white
and Negro passengers on buses
trains, and in public meeting places
Bills Limited.
THE first harbinger of spring,
as one legislator put it, was noted
with the presentation of resolu-
ton limiting the introduction OF
bills. Floor Leader E. Blackburn
Moore of Berryville called atten-
tion to the halfway mark of the
session the coming week end ano
said his resolution to limit intro
duction Of general legislation after
February % was in line with a
policy Of previous Assemblies. Only
local bills, those sponsored by the
T, Governor and revenue measures
can be introduced after that date
The House and Senate agreed to
the resolution.
When the State fund redistribu-
tion bill was reached yesterday, the
chief patron, Delegate Lewis A
McMurran of Newport News, ex-
planned its purpose is to give alo
to those areas that have had ad-
ditional financial burdens thrust on
them as q result Of rapid population
growth between the Federal CEN
suses. Whenever locality had
special census made, such as was
called for by the Arlington County
Board two weeks ago, the --latest
figures could be employed IN tne
distribution of State funds.
Delegate z. b. McCue of Char
lottesville was the first to object te
the bill. He said its patrons, Mr
McMurran and Delegate Armisteao
L. Booth of Alexandria-both fresh
men" members-had succeeded IN
getting out of a committee meas
ire that the Speaker of the House
G. Alving Massenburg, had been
unable to have reported favoraoly
about four years ago.
Warns Other Members.
He warned House members whose
areas would not be favorably af-
fected to beware of possible drastic
revision in distribution of funds.
Mr.. McCue argued that other
counties may receive less revenue as
a result of the proposed law. He
contended that the 10-year censuses
of the Government should be re-
tanned as a standard and said pas
sage of the bill would be like chang
ing the rules in the middle OF the
game"
Committee Chairman Joseph j.
williams, jr., moved to recommit
the bill. At a committee meeting
later in the day. it was agreed to
consider the measure Tuesday If the
patrons could furnish information
showing to what extent various
counties, cities and towns would gain
and lose by the bill.
The committee also decided te
act Tuesday on all pending annex
alton bills before the House and or
which public hearings were hele
earlier this week.
To Report Arlington Bill.
The committee voted to report 6
bill by Delegates j. Maynard Ma
gruder and George Damn, both O
Arlington, to give the Arlington
County Board authority to licens'
and tax businesses and professions
The new sales tax bill was intro
duced by Delegates Floyd Yates O.
PoWhatan County and w. H. Irvine
of Campbell County. Along with
two other similar measures now be-
fore the House Finance Committee
1t will be given a public hearing a
pm. Wednesday.
The new bill, estimated to yielc
$4,000, 900 a year, would expire Al
the end of two years. 1t woule
levy per cent tax on all sales
of 10 cents or more. All of the
revenue would be sent back to the
localities for construction of schools
Funds would be distributed on thu
basis of average daily attendance
at schools in each locality.
Five Racial Bills Offered.
Delegate w. H. c. Murray O.
Richmond sponsored the five bill
to repeal existing laws requiring
racial segregation. Unlike mos
legislation offered, the bills bor'
only one name as patron.
Mr.. Moore was joined by Dele
gates C. c. Louderback of Warner
and Page Counties and Mr.. McCu
in sponsoring bill to establish
State Public Buildings Commission
to regulate the orderly planning ant
construction of State buildings il
and near Richmond. A commission
for this purpose would consist o
three House members, two from
the Senate, two from the public ap
pointed by the Governor, the di
rector of the budget and the chair
man of the State Planning Board.
Meanwhile, the Senate Commit
tee on Counties. Cities and Town
considered the Richmond Cit
charter bill with opposition center
ing on the proposed nonpartisal
elections for the City Council.
House Passes U. N. Bill.
The House passed drasticall
amended resolution calling for elm
ination of the veto power in tn
United Nations. 1t was introduce
by Delegate Norman C. Bailey @
Orange.
Among measures passed by tn
House and sent to the Senate wer
the following:
The permit the State Corporatio
Commission to order extension c
telephone service to rural area!
when investigation discloses tn
need, by M. G. Cox of Grayso