Evening star., 1949-04-24
Miller Promises
Return 10 Local
Rule in Virginia
Charges Government
Hos Been Gradually
Taken From People
BY the Associotsd Press

RICHMOND. Va, April 23.-
Francis Pickens Miller of Abe
marie, tonight announced a 20
plank platform which emphasized
the anti-organization nature Of
his campaign for the Democratic
nomination for Governor.
1t was phrased in positive terms
but so worded as to be highly crit
ical of the existing Virginia State
Government and of the Demo-
cratic organization which has
been dominant in State politics
for Is years.
| The platform contained an am
plification of his views in such
fields as aducation and welfare
and new commitments relative to
seafood. industrial policy and
health.
Mr.. Miller said the first objec-
tive he would have as Governor
would be Ito return local Govern
ment to the people" He charged
that the powers and functions of
Government have been gradually
taken away from the localities.
Urges Local School Control.
In his No. / plank he called for
control of schools and welfare by
local boards Of supervisors except
where counties prefer to elect
school boards; for most Of the
appointive powers now exercised
by courts to be transferred to sup
ervisors; and, on the theory that
the power to tax is the power to
govern. for additional subjects OF
taxation to be made available to
local authorities. He called for
State policies for schools. welfare
and other matters that concern
the localities to be worked out
in consultation with local Govern
ment.
He was especially critical Of the
fixing of salaries of local officials
within prescribed brackets by the
State Compensation Board, which
he termed a political agency in
Richmond" and said decisions
concerning these salaries must be
removed from factional politics"
He advocated that the salaries be
set, with b4ackets established by
the Legislature, through a nom
political Civil Service type of pro-
cedure at the State level requir-
ing. the concurrence of Boards of
Supervisors in the counties and of
councils in the cities"
Pledges Best Schools in U. s.
On education. Mr.. Miller prom
ised to give Virginia the best
school system in America 'in pro-
portion to our means" with a
maximum of local participation.
initiative and responsibility" He
said he was unalterably opposed to
the State taking over the schools
and said this would happen if the
State were to pay for a $400 .000.-
600 school building program in
addition to Institutional costs.
Mr.. Miller said his plan would
make the State primarily respons-
ible for Institutional costs and
transportation, leaving the locali-
ties major responsibility for build
ing construction. He said he would
also work for completion of
Thomas Jefferson's plan of educa-
tion," including competitive schol- /
arships to institutions of higher
learning open to all high school
graduates, regional Junior colleges
and trade schools and a State
wide integrated program of adult
education.
Feels Plan Can Be Financed.
ut is my considered judgment
that with strict enforcement of
tax laws and with thrift
and prudence in administration,
1t should be possible to finance the
above program out of revenues
that will be available during the
oiennium beginning in 1850 with
put the imposition of additional
State taxes he said. If not, he
said he would not hesitate to
recommend appropriate meas
lres." If a decision ever has to
be made on a sales tax "as last
resort" he said the people should
be given an opportunity to vote on
It In q referendum,
The poll tax as prerequisite to
1oting, Mr.. Miller said. should be
abolished by the action of our own
citizens within our own State.
However, the proposed amend
nents to the State Constitution
which will be voted on by the elec- I
,orate in November Of this year,
while abolishing the poll tax, pro-
vide a form of current registration K
which may prove even more re-
strictive than the present poll tax. K
My administration will move .
swiftly to eliminate these or any !
,ther unjust restrictions Of the in
alienable right to vote"
On health, he called for State
vide public health and hospital
program to provide every county Z
With the services of q health unit, i