Evening star., 1952-06-27
By Alex R. Preston

by the Virginia General Assembly
learlier this year will become law
lat midnight tonight.
A few others, which bore emer-
gency clauses. took effect when
Gov. Battle signed them earlier.
One new change is the raising
OF speed limits on open highways
from so to SIS miles per hour fol
passenger vehicles. Truck speeds
were reduced from so to As miles
per hour.
Heretofore a 55-mile limit was
permitted only on dual-lane, divi-
ded roads.
Sitter Penalties Set.
But along with the increase
came much sitter penalties for
traffic violations. A new law pro-
vides:
l. Mandatory 60-day suspension
OF drivers license on second
conviction of speeding within a
year.
2. Authority for courts to sus-
pend the licenses for 10 days fol-
the first conviction of speeding.
3. A mandatory Today jail sem
tence for driving after revocation
OF license. "a mandatory SEN
tence for f1rst-offense drunken
driving was killed by the General
Assembly because most legislators
felt it would be impossible to OBJ
tain convictions in many cases.)
4. A mandatory license re-ex-
animation of drivers involved in
two accidents within IL months,
regardless of who is at fault, and
drivers involved in two moving ac-
cidents within a year.
5. Reactivation of a program
under which the motor vehicles
division takes away licenses of
drivers whose accident records or
traffic convictions indicate they
are a menace to others.
Provision on Suspensions.
The first two provisions for
suspension of permits will apply
only when motorist is convicted
of travelling in excess of S miles
per hour over the limit.
A revised method of distribut-
ing State income tax reductions
under Virginia's unique system
goes into effect. The plan was
originated in 1850 by State Sena-
tor Harry F. Byrd, jr.. of VIM
chester. Under the old plan tax
payers received a reduction of 20
per cent in their bills last year.
The new system follows the
same principle but uses different
formula. It provides for tax
credits for individuals and cor
Iporations when the State general
fund revenues exceed estimates by
5 per cent. The credit applies to
tax due on income in the preced-
ing year. For example, if income
exceeds estimates by As per cent
there would be no reduction. If
income exceeds estimates by 6 per
cent the entire 6 per cent excess
would be returned to taxpayers.
Last year the formula provided
Ia 10 per cent reduction when in
come exceeded 500 million, IS
|per cent in excess of $103 million
and a maximum Of 20 per cent If
in excess of $105 million. There
is no maximum in the new law.
Relief Rolls to Be Open. :
Virginians for the first time will
be able to examine the relief rolls
Iif they suspect there are cases of
fraud. This issue split the Assem-
Ibly membership into two widely
separated camps. Those opposing
the law said it would subject those
on relief to unnecessary abuses.
But restrictions were tackled on
the law which opened the hitherto
secret relief rolls for inspection.
For instance, none but a bona
fide resident Of Virginia is entitled
to look at the lists. Welfare off,
cials may require an oath from
the person seeking to examine the
rolls that the information OBJ
tanned will not be used for political
or commercial purposes. There is
nothing, however, to prevent a.
newspaper from publishing the
name of person to uncover a
case of fraud.
Won't Be Invoked This Year.
For the first time Virginia may
have run-of primaries for State
wide Offices. This does not apply
to members Of the House of Rep
|resentatives who are elected byI
districts.
The law will not be invoked
this year, however, because there