Evening star., 1950-02-20
Assembly toGet
New Rent Curb
Proposal Today
Bill to Be Offered
As Virginia Decontrol
Bill Neors Approval
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT


stor Stoff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 20.-A
new State rent control law was to
be introduced in the General AS
sembly today.
This development came as legis-
lation to repeal the existing rent
contral act neared passage. The
repeater also would take Virginia
out from under Federal rent regu-
lations.
Delegates j. Maynard Magruder
and George Damn of Arlington
said they would introduce new
bill on the subject today.
The principal innovation in
their proposal is this:
The local governing bodies, in
stead of the Governor, could ini-
tiate action to re-establish con-
trolls in any area which previously
had been under Federal regula-
tions. The Governor, in turn,
would determine whether suffl-
cient emergency exists in the 10
cality to invoke the new law there.
Landlords Protected.
In several respects the bill would
carry over provisions of the pres
ent State law, enacted as war
emergency measure to take effect
at such time as Federal regula-
tions become imperative. The
State law, however, will expire
July /.
Strongly emphasized by the
sponsors is language in the bill
insuring landlords that fair and
reasonable rent shall in no event
be less than is required to give the
landlord a reasonable return on
the fair market value OF the
dwelling"
Meanwhile, the same delegation,
along with others from scattered
areas, prepared to make a last
minute effort to retain controls
for their respective localities under
existing laws.
Many New Bills Expected.
The Assembly is moving into it's
pressure period" with adjourn
ment three weeks away. Much
new legislation was expected to-
day and there are many COM
mittee chores.
Among the new proposals is one
that would provide for the election
of county school board members
from the county at large instead
of one from each magisterial dis
trict as the present law provides.
It goes into both Senate and
House-in the upper chamber
sponsored by Senator Ted Dalton,
Radford Republican, and in the
House by Delegate j. .Bradie ALL
man of Rocky Mount.
Both assemblymen said the bill
had nothing to do with the
method by which school boards
are elected it merely provides
that two or more members may
be chosen from a single district.
They pointed out that some coun-
ties find the bulk of their popu-
lation in single district, but are
required by the present law to
give a sparsely settled area the
same representation on The school
board.
The bill would apply to counties
with 10000 or more population.
thus about 40 of the States 100
counties would be affected.
Tax Cut Plans Face Trouble.
A proposal is now before the
Senate to permit county boards
of supervisors to name school
board members from candidates
recommended by the school elec-
toral trustees.
At present the school trustees
elect the members of the school
board. The trustees, in turn, are
named by the circuit judges.
Important committee action
will find the House Finance Com
mittee deciding the fate of sew
eral tax reduction proposals. Hard
shedding for these measures was
forecast in view of Gov. Battles
expressed opposition to any tax
cuts at this time.
The House Courts of Justice
Committee set a hearing for 3
o'clock this afternoon on the pro-
posals by Delegate Armistead
Boothe, of Alexandria, dealing
with relations between the races.
A bill he offered would repeal the
State segregation laws with re-
spect to public carriers. A COM
panion resolution would set up a
commission to study improvement
of relations hefWeen the races