Evening star., 1952-01-13
Separate JaiIs Asked
For Juveniles in Bill
Proposed by Donovan
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff Correspondent

SiOf SioII SOHSSpCHe1enI
RICHMOND, Jan. 12.-Legisla-
ton requiring separate detention
facilities for juveniles held in jails
was being prepared for introduc-
ton next week after the General
Assembly reconvenes Monday.
This was among the first legis-
lativa- proposals of John A. K.
Donovan. newly-elected member
of the State Senate from Alex
andria, Falls Church and Fairfax
and Prince William Counties.
In order to reduce the cost in
volved, Mr.. Donovan said his
measure would permit juvenile
detention facilities to be con-
structed to serve regional areas
so that two or more counties and
cities could share the cost. s
"We have no separate deten-
ton facilities for children in
Fairfax County," Mr.. Donovan
said. whenever possible. the
lookup at the Groveton substa-
ton is used to separate juveniles
from adult offenders at the Fair
fax Jail, but if there are too many
prisoners. then adults also must
be kept at Groveton."
Budget Due Monday.
Senator Charles r. Fenwick of
Arlington, meanwhile, expressed
the hope that Gov. Battle, when
he submits his budget at noon
Monday, would give the highest
priority to mental hospitals.
If the Governors recommended
tions do not include at least $3.50
for each patient per day. he said
he would introduce legislation to
assure that amount.
The State now spends $1.54 a
day for each mental patient while
it spends $3.50 for prisoners in the
State Penetentiary. Mental
patients require more specialized
treatment than tuberculosis
patients on which the State
spends 81 to S. daily. he said.
If mental hospitals were prop
erly stated, Mr.. Fenwick said, an
estimated 60 per cent of the in
mates could be returned as useful
members of society within the
year in which they were admitted.
Other Proposals Listed.
Other legislative plans of North
ern Virginia Assemblymen include
a proposal by Delegate Norman C.
Bailey of Orange, to open the well
fare rolls to public inspection in
accordance with recommended
tions of Gov. Battle in the chief
executives message last Wednes-
day.
The Governor said he believed
the rolls could be opened "in all
propriety and without injury to
any one with suitable prohi-
bitions against the use of this in
formation for either commercial
or political purposes"
Senator Fenwick, of the State
Advisory Committee on Public
Welfare. has opposed opening the
rolls because, he said, he feels
that juveniles would be unneces-
sarily hurt in the disclosure of
this information. Adult welfare
work is only fraction of the en-
tire program. he argued. The
State Board of Welfare and In
stitutions has recommended that
the lists be thrown open, however.
Senator Donovan also disclosed
that among other bills he is
drafting is one to increase the in
come tax deduction for depend
ants of the first class" from 5000
to $3.50 each. This class of de-
pendant is an immediate relative,
Tax Measure Planned.
AS a revenue-producing meas
ure. he will introduce a bill to
require applicants for an auto
mobile license tag to show a re-
ceipt for payment of personal
property taxes on the vehicle.
This is about the only personal
property tax that is fairly as
sessed," he said. "inasmuch as all
commissioners of revenue use the
standard Blue Book ratings in es.
Itablishing values of cars"
/ Another measure being worked
up by Senator Donovan would re.
quire the State Department o1
Highways to construct sidewalks
for one mile on both sides Of pri.
mary roads whenever a public
school ground comes within 30l
yards of the highway.
} This would come out of tha
.lgasoline tax and some people ma,