Evening star., 1950-01-09
Rash Of Plans
Waits Virginia
Assembly
Legislature Convenes
Wednesday; Miller
Makes 3 Proposals
BY fhs Assoeiofed Press

RICHMOND, Va. Jan 9.-Mind-
full that the General Assembly
will convene on Wednesday, Vir-
ginia legislators and political
groups broke out in a rash of pro-
posals during the week end.
Francis Pickens Miller, unsuc-
cesssful anti-organization candi-
date for Governor last August, de-
clared yesterday that the majority
Of Virginians are looking for legis-
lation in three major fields.
Noting that 81 per cent of vir-
ginia's voters had shown they
weren't satisfied with things as
they are" Mr.. Miller called for a
broad extension of the right to
vote, Inauguration of a school
program worthy of Virginia, and
restoration of strong and effective
local government.
Tax Report Criticized.
A group Of representative city
managers joined the opposition to
many portions of the State Tax
Study Commissions report affect
ing municipalities and indorsed a
statement by the League of Vir-
ginia Municipalities aimed at de-
feating many Of the proposed tax
reforms.
The city managers, however,
said some of their objections
might be cleared up by a confer
ence between members of the
league and the commission. Such
meeting has been proposed by
State Senator Garland Gray, who
headed the study group.
Mrs. Kathryn Bernstein, secre-
tary Of the Virginia Social Demo-
cratic Party, said copies of the
party's 1850 platform will be pre-
sented to Assembly members, al
though she admitted there was
little chance for our program be-
ing enacted into law"
Public Ownership Urged.
The platform urges public own
ership and democratic manage
ment of basic industries, public
utilities, banking and credit; ex-
pansion Of social legislation, and
guarantee to each citizen of
Virginia of his full constitutional
civil and political rights"
Along these lines, Delegate Arm
lstead L. Boothe Of Alexandria
said he will introduce bills to re-
peal the States transportation
segregation laws and also a meas
ure to create a Civil Rights Com
mission for Virginia to study all
phases Of racial relations prob
lens. F..5--.
Republican State Senator Ted
Dalton of Radford termed the
provision of adequate buildings
and facilities for Virginia public
schools the most important prob
lem facing the legislators. and he
said the State should 60 'its fun
limit in assisting localities" with
this problem.
The Republican also advocated
accepting Federal aid to educa-
tion. taking necessary steps to
provide Negroes with school facili-
ties equal to those of whites. call
ing a convention to revise and
amend the State constitution.
changing the method of selecting
school boards, and dispensing with
a double or triple set of primary
election officials.
IL Bills Proposed.
Three Arlington legislators
State Senator Charles r. Fenwick
and Delegates J.. Maynard Ma
gruder and George Damm-pro-
posed II bills. two of them deal
ing with welfare problems and a
third setting up a commission to
study Virginia's crime rate and
laws covering sex offenses.
Also included in their proposed
measures were two dealing with
the revocation of driving permits.
one concerning mosquito control.
two regarding various legal prac-
tlces, one providing borderline
reciprocity for doctors of adioin-
ing areas, and two dealing with
taxes and bond rates.
Delegate-elect w. Griffith Pur-
cell OF Richmond said he will urge
the General Assembly to Join a
move with other States to put
constitutional limits on the tax
ing power of Congress.
He proposes the calling of a
convention to amend the Federal
constitution and make several
changes to stop "the growth of
the elaborate. wasteful and power
conscious bureaucracy of the CEN
tral Government"
Maryland Drivers Warned