Evening star., 1952-01-31
Seafood Bills
SET for Hearing
On Wednesday
Measure BY Unruh
Would Estublish
Potomac Commission
BY Alex r. Preston

IeglSlabl0n, some OF which depends
upon concurrent enactment by the
Maryland Legislature, will be the
subject of public hearing by
committees of the Virginia Gem
era1 Assembly here next Wednes-
day. That is the day the Mary
land session opens.
Among bills introduced here af-
fecting seafood resources is one
by Delegate Charles Unruh Of
Westmoreland County to establish
Potomac River oyster commits
sion. A companion measure would
repeal four acts passed here in
1850 and replace them with one
overall plan. -.
Because the proposed commits
sion would consist of three men,
bers each from Maryland and Vir-
ginia, the bill concludes with this
language: This act shall be-
come effective in due course pro-
vided by or at such time the other
State having representation on
the commission has enacted sim
liar legislation, or when it does
enact similar legislation and
shall remain effective so long as
similar legislation exists in both
States" @
Wait Word From Maryland.
Mr.. Unruh said he hopes that
the plan will be mutually accept
able to seafood interests in the
Old Dominion and the Free State.
Pending word from Maryland,
however, he declined to discuss
the proposal.
This legislation. along with
other bills applicable only to Vir-
ginia fish and oyster affairs, will
be publicly heard by House and
Senate committees at 3 pm.
Wednesday.
Alexandria Court Bill.
The Senate passed and sent toI
the Governor a bill by Delegate
Armistead Boothe of Alexandria
providing for a second Civil andI
Police Court judge in that city. I'll
was taken up out Of order on mo-
tion of Senator John A. K.I
Donovan, also of Alexandria, Who'll
said it was necessary to enact the |
law before February !, becauseI
there would be some legal ques-l
tions concerning the city charter
involved after that date.
The Senate passed. "a to 4, the |
bill of Senator Harry F. Byrd, jr.,
of winchester, revising the auto
matte income tax reduction law. i
The four voting against it were
Senators Donovan. Gharles n.
Fenwick of Afline etcrs Tea Dalton.
Republican, Of Radford, ana Vic
tor e Wilson Of Newport News. /
Sees Constitution Violation.
Mr.. Dalton said the law violates
the Constitution. which prohibits
taxing more than is required to
carry on government services.
The law. he said, presumes there
win be enough surplus from taxa
tion to turn back some Of 1t to
the taxpayers.
He also made the point that
much Of the money Virginia is |
losing from the law Is going to-
Washington because Of smaller
deductions allowed on Federal tax
returns for Virginia taxes paid.
He said the money going to
Washington is wasted, causing
great pain and mental anguish
to the father of the Senator from
Winchester.
The Byrd bill now goes to the
House for a promised assault by
Delegate Robert Whitehead of
Nelson, anti-organization leader.
Also sent to the House was
the FenMick bill making it al
crime to offer or accept bribes
for athletic events. Penalties have
been broadened by amendments sol
as to include some offenses as
n1isdemeanors as well as felonies.
Among other bills passed by the
Senate was the Donoyan-Fenwickl
bill revising adoption procedure
so that four visits by a recognized
agency within any year viii bel
acceptable before a final court
order.
Benefit Bill Passed.
Among bills passed yesterday by
the House was one co-sponsored
by Delegate ]. Maynard Magruder
and Mr.. Boothe, increasing Work
mems Compensation Act benefits
from $40 to $25 week.
The House passed q bill by Dele
gate j. j. williams Of Henrico toI
give his county the power to i'm
pose the same business privilege
taxes as are levied in the adjoin-
ing City of Richmond. This had
been amended by Mr.. Lynch, how
ever, to apply to Fairfax County
with respect to Alexandria.
A new bill providing for election
Of school boards by popular vote
was introduced by Delegate Ernest
Robertson. This came a day after
O. House committee killed the
Moncure- Magruder bill permitting
boards of supervisors to name
school boards. E
Senator Fenwick joined in spon-
soring a new bill relieving resi-
dents Of Virginia for less than
one year of the liability of paying
the poll tax as a prerequisite to
voting. The poll tax is required
under the Constitution and there
are four other measures pending
to amend that document and