Evening star., 1952-01-10
BY Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff CoYresnondent

RICHMOND, Jan. 10.-Annual
sessions of the Virginia General
Assembly were called for today by
members of the legislative dele
cation from Arlington.
Resolutions to amend the State
constitution were introduced 81
multaneously by Senator Charles
r. Fenwick and Delegates j. May
nard Magruder and George
Damn requiring 30-day short
sessions" similar to the plan now
in effect in Maryland.
The short sessions, called in
years between the regular 6O-day
gatherings of the legislature, i,
would be limited to consideration
Of finance measures. emergency
legislation and such matters that
the Governor would recommend.
"CrystaI-ball Gazing"
'This system would eliminate
crystal-ball gazing" Senator Fen
wick said. 1--WE could plan our
budgets on an annual basis,
rather than trying to foresee the
States revenues for the next two
years."
Meanwhile, Delegate Norman c.
Bailey of Orange disclosed today
he was preparing a bill which
would require that relief rolls be
open to public inspection. This
was recommended yesterday by
Gov. Battle in his address to the
opening session of the 1852 AS
Sembly.
The Governors recommends
ton, however, was opposed by
Senator Fenwick, who said he
thought the present Virginia law
furnished adequate protection to
both the public and to the re-
cipientS of relief.
Names Furnished Monthly.
Senator Fenwick pointed out
that the names of persons receiv-
ing relief benefits must be fur
nished monthly to the governing
pOQy OF CIle locality.
General relief constitutes the
smallest part of the welfare pro-,
gram" Senator Fenwick said.
There are only about 5000 adults
receiving benefits. can't help but
think Of the effects such a pro-
gram would have on those who
are receiving aid to dependent
children benefits and the children
placed in foster homes.
"The potential harm in reveal
ing the names of children out
weighs the good that could be
accomplished"
Delegate Robert Whitehead of
Nelson, Joined by Edwin Lynch of
Fairfax, yesterday introduced a.
bill for outright repeal of the Byrd
automatic income tax reduction
law. Under the present system,
taxpayers get reductions in their
bills when State revenues exceed
500 million in any year. Last
month the reductions amounted
to 20 per cent.
Poll Tax Bill Sponsored.
Mr.. Lynch also joined Mr..
Whitehead in sponsoring a reso-
luton calling for abolition of the
poll tax as prerequisite to vot-
ing. This would require action of
the next General Assembly in 1854
before it, could be submitted to
the voters for an amendment to
the constitution.
The amendment would retain
the present system of permanent
registration and would allow all
voters registered by the end of
1854 to remain on the registration
books without taking literacy tests.
But thereafter the literacy test
would require schooling through
the seventh grade or its equivalent.
The present $3.50 poll tax would
be retained, but not as a pre-
requisite for voting.
Another bill proposed by Dele
gate E. Ralph James of Elizabeth
City County would enlarge the
membership of the State Milk
Commission from three to five.
The present membership of one
producer, one distributor and one
consumer would be enlarged to1
include two more consumer repre-
sentatives.