Evening star., 1952-01-29
Senate Changes
In Falls Church
Charter Readied
Donouvn Drops PIon
On Bond Referendum
And Porking Lots
By Alex R. Preston
StcF Staff Correspondent

RICHMOND, Jan. 29.-Amend
ments to the Falls Church charte
will be placed before the Genera
Assembly. but without two recon-
mendations Of the City Council.
All but two OF the changes sug
geSted by the Council last weel
are being drafted for introduction
soon, Senator John A. K. Donovan
Of Falls Church. said today.
Unchanged will be present char
ter provisions for referendums Of
bond issues and for municipa
parking, lots.
Before bonds may be issued
property owners first must reg
lister a favorable vote and then tn,
ballots of the other qualifiet
voters, who do not own property
may be counted. If the propert.
owners favor issuance of bonds
the other voters still may'veto thu
question, If the total vote Is ad'
verse to the bonds.
, Fair, Donovan Says.
'This seems to be fair enough
to ALL" Mr.. Donovan said. IT
gives every one a voice and at thu
same time recognizes the interes
OF the property owners who .beal
the major responsibility"
The Council asked to be divestec
Of its authority to establish mu-
nicipal parking lots. contendine
city funds should not be spent fol
this purpose.
Mr.. Donovan said he had talked
with officials of other towns and
cities who say the parking areas
are essential.
"By leaving this matter un-
changed" the Senator said, "we
still don't interfere with the rights
of businessmen to go ahead and
provide lots, if they so desire. This
section merely permits the coun-
Gil to make short term loans fol
them.
Interim Appointments.
Among the proposed amend
ments is a provision to permit the
Council to overrule recommended
tions of the City Planning Com
mission by a vote Of a majority
of the entire Council, rather thar
by a wo-thirds votes as at pres
ent.
Other changes provide for in
terim appointment of city attor-
ney, rather than an election il
the Office should become vacant
and also provide that action on
emergency measures could be
tawen by a majority of Council
members present at a meeting.
Ready for introduction today
Is a bill by Delegate Edwin Lynch
of Fairfax designating the third
Saturday in April as Dogwood
Day. This was requested by the
Ladies Auxiliary Of the Virginia
State Firemen's Association, which
will sponsor sales Of lapel pins
on that day for f1remen's relief
Mrs. Frances E. Simmons OF Alex
andria, chairman Of the relief
fund, made the request.
Authorizes FIuoridati0n.
Two bills received favorable
committee action yesterday. One
by Senator Charles r. Fenwick OF
Arlington and reported out by the
Senate General Laws Committee
would permit cities to fluoridate
their water supplies. It was
amended to include towns and
counties.
The other was the Senate rum
OF primary bill reported by the
Privileges and Elections Commit
tee after a Joint hearing with a
House committee. This would
move the date of the primary UP
from August to July and call fol-
the runof five weeks later fol
Statewide Offices.
Norfolk Drink Bill Killed.
The House killed. by vote Of
10 to 70, the Spencer bill to per-
init liquor to be sold by the drink
In Norfolk, subject to a referen'
dunn. The first vote, unrecorded
was % to 81, but the bill lost sup
port when members were forced
to go on record.
The House passed, 90 to 2. legis-
Iation to place State and local
employees under Federal social Sc
curity. A. Whitehead amendment
to require the local governing
bodies to blanket in their en-
ployes was defeated on the ground
this would deprive the counties
of home rule. AS passed, the Law
permits local option for coverage
except for teachers. who art
brought in anyway.
Textbook Body Continued.
The House passed. SO to 2, a bill
continuing the Virginia Histor!
Textbook Commission and au
thorizing it to enter into contract
with authors and publishers tt
prepare approved texts for tn
public schools Before doing SO
it defeated an amendment by MI
Lynch. The Fairfax Delegat
contended the bill violates a sec
ton of the Constitution whicl
gives the State Board Of Educa
ton discretion in determining
what textbooks shall be used.
Meanwhile, a House committee
investigation Of fraternity house
at William anG Mary College wa
suspended, at least temporarily.
Chairman Whitehead Of tn
Executive Expenditures Commit
tee had invited college officials &
testify concerning alleged irregu
larities. Delegate Boothe. how
ever, won approval Of q majorit
of the committee on q resolutio'
expressing confidence In the In
veStigation now being conducte
by the Colleges Board Of Visitors
It suggested that the Hous