Evening star., 1948-02-07
Assembly in Session
AT Williamsburg; Tax
debate Due Monday

WILLIAMSBURG, Va, Feb. T.
Members OF the General Assembly
temporarily laid aside their differ
ences today to hold ceremonial
session here in the restored Colonial
capitol, where their predecessors
first met 244 years ago.
Yesterday the lawmakers sus-
pended debate on Gov. Tuck's tax
program. but adopted rule, that
assures taking UP the issue again
Monday.
The Governor has asked the law
makers of 194S to increase taxes
to raise $21, ZOO, 900 during the next
two years to finance the first State
budget to exceed $500, ,000, 900.
Opposition developed to Gov.
Tuck's tax program yesterday before
debate was suspended.
Former Gov. Colgate w. Darden,
now president of the University of
Virginia, and Gov. Tuck were the
principal speakers at the exercises
here today.
Warns Against Russia.
Mr.. Darden told the legislators
that America needs q sustained
period of peace and can have it by
maintaining technical and indus
trial superiority over Russia.
Gov. Tuck paid tribute to the old
est legislative body in America,
which first met in nearby James
town in 1919, and reiterated his Oft
spoken plea for preservation OF
States rights.
Most members of the Assembly
came here from Richmond in spe-
cial train, the guests of John D.
Rockefeller, jr., and Colonial VIII
liamsburg.
Newly elected State Senator Frank
P. Burton, former Commemorative
attorney of Patrick County, was on
hand to qualify and take the oath
in the old Colonial Capitol-a dis
tinction not afforded any Virginia
Senator in $50 years.
Mr.. Burton was named at a spe-
cial election to succeed Maitland H.
Bustard OF Danville, who resigned.
Evidence of Revolt.
When regular lawmaking duties
are resumed in Richmond Monday,
only half hour of business will be
permitted before the House of Dele
gates returns to its special and con-
tinuing order to dispose Of the tax
legislation.
Evidence Of revolt came into the
open yesterday as House Floor
Leader E. Blackburn Moore ex-
planned the program.
The opposition, led by the Norfolk
city delegation, centered its attack
on the increases proposed in income
and merchants licenses taxes. The
Norfolk group was Joined in numer-
GUS critical questions directed at Mr..
Moore by delegates from other areas.
Population Bill Faces Trouble.
Other developments yesterday in
cluded indications of serious trouble
ahead for a bill by Delegate Lewis
A. McMurran of Newport News and
Arnistesd L. Boothe of Alexandria.
The bill would redefne population"
so that special censuses in commun-
tiles that experience rapid growth
would result in greater participation
in the distribution of State funds on
a per capita basis.
Delegates Paul Crockett, York
town, and o. E. McCue, Charlottes-
vile questioned the extent to which
distribution of the States revenues
would be affected. They asked that
the measure be passed by until they
could learn the full significance
of it. a Fl,
Pay Raise for Legislators.
Among new measures introduced
Yesterday were duplicate bills inAthe
House and Senate to increase pay
for members of the Legislature from
s12 to $l8 a day, not to exceed so
days Of regular session. Presiding
officers would receive $21 instead of
SIS.
C. c. Louderback of Warren and
Page Counties, sponsored the House
bill, while Senator Robert o. Norris
Of Lancaster County, sponsored the
measure in the upper chamber.