Evening star., 1950-01-25
Drive Renewed
In Virginia for
Schools Grant
Bottle Administration
Forces Take Action to
Offset McCue Blast
BY Siaff Correspondent of The sior |,

BY staff Correspondent Of The siar
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 25.-
Administration forces in the Gen
eral Assembly were renewing their
efforts today to put across Gov.
Battles emergency school, aid pro-
gram in the face of opposition
from an important sector within
their ranks.
There were indications that
when the Legislature reconvenes
this afternoon there would be
more debate, perhaps in both ends
of the Capitol, to ward off a
surprise assault yesterday by State
Senator E. o. McCue, jr., of Char
lottesville, who succeeded Mr..
Battle in the Upper House.
Mr.. McCue yesterday served
notice that, while he was a
staunch supporter of Gov. Battle
during his campaign and backed
most of his present policies, he
had reached a parting of the
ways with respect to the admin
istration's $45,000,000 school con-
struction program and in regard
to taxes. .
Principal objection was raised
to Gov. Battles plan to give the
localities the money in an out
right grant. Mr.. McCue said this
failed to provide the localities with
their fair share of responsibility
by not requiring matching funds.
May Lack Needed Margin.
The Charlottesville Senator also
accused the advisers of Gov. Tuck's
administration of making a mis-
take two years ago in imposing
higher taxes. Mr.. McCue served
notice that he would offer amend
ments to reduce the tax rates to
their former levels.
Objections to the grants to local
tiles feature of the Governors
school construction program al
ready had been heard on the
House side. Few doubted that
most of the assembly members go
along with Gov. Battle in the pro-
gram. but there was some doubt
that his forces would muster a
four-fifths vote which is neces-
sary to enact the law so that it
could go into effect Immediately.
1t may have to take the normal
course and take effect July /.
The Governor proposed to make
s30,000,000 available Immediately
and the remaining $4,000, 900
available after June 30, 1851.
Mr.. McCue insisted that the To-
calities should match the State
funds by putting up 40 per cent
of the total cost of construction.
He said all of the money avail
able from the State was not suffi-
cient to meet needs in the locali-
ties and that they would have to
help out.
He coupled this plea with his
proposal to reduce State income
taxes, reasoning that the State
should compensate in some meas
ure for the additional taxes which
localities might have to impose to
meet their matching share.
IT realize that Gov. Battle nfast
stand by his campaign Commit
ments; likewise must adhere to
my prior pronouncements," Sena-
tor McCue said. 1.-The Governor
alone is bound by his promises.
They do not bind the members
Of the General Assembly.
GAS a member Of the Senate Of
Virginia, am forced to oppose the
method by which he proposes to
distribute the school building
funds. I also regret that he did
not propose any reduction In
taxes"
More than an hours debate was
touched off by Mr.. McCue's speech.
In all. six Senators. led of by
Robert o. Norris of Lancaster
County, came to the defense of
the Governors program and at
the same time assailed Mr.. McCue
for turning against the man whose
seat he now occupied.
Delegate John B. Boatright OF
Buckingham County introduced q
bill, requested by Gov. Battle, to
give the Chief Executive perma-
nent powers to seize coal mines
and operate them whenever the
public interest is at stake in labor
disputes.
Delegate Paul Crockett of York
town sponsored a measure to
abolish the Game and Inland
Fisheries Commission and create
a three-member agency similar to
the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board system.
In the Senate. Frank S. Rich
eson Of Richmond introduced a
bill to permit deduction of Fed
eral income tax payments from
State income tax payments.
Howard Hamilton Found