Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-12
Virginia Senate
Gets TaxLaw
Suspension Bill
Opponents Hope
Finance Group
Will Kill Measure
By Alex R. Preston
Sior Stoff Core spondent


RICHMOND, Feb. IL - The
hottest issue of the 1854 Cen
eral Assembly - suspension Of
the Byrd automatic taA credit
law-was placed squarely in the
laps of the Senate today. as
plans developed in the House
Of Delegates to force favorable
action in the upper chamber.
Administration forces, who
took 56-to-40 licking in the
House yesterday with the passage
of the so-called Carter bill.
pinned their hopes on the SEN
ate Finance Committee to kill
the measure.
However, those who success
fully backed the bill of Delegate
Stuart B. Carter of Botetourt had
other ideas. The plan was that
House hackers of the Carter
bill were preparing amendments
to the budget to take care of an
additional ST million in needs.
legislative Maneuver.
The idea is to send the budget
over to the Senate with the ad-
ditional funds for such services
as health, mental hospitals and,
possibly, teachers, included. II
the Senators are disposed to
Kill the Carter bill, it also will
have the unpleasant task of
striking out 81 million worth
OF worthy projects-an action
for which they may be held
ansWerable at the polls.
In addition to recapturing
about ST million in tax credits
due on bills next December, the
measure also would suspend the
Byrd tax reduction law for the
next two fiscal years, thus max
ing any SURPRISES available to
the 1856 Legislature for appro-
priation.
In other developments today,
the Arlington and Fairfax dele
cations introduced a resolution
calling on Congress to repeal
those sections of the Hatch Act
that prohibit Federal employees
from participating in elections
on political level.
Another piece of controversial
legislation involving Federal en-
ployes was to face its first floor
test IN the Senate this afternoon.
Up for second reading was the
bill of Senators Charles r. Fen
WICK and John A. K. Donovan to
permit Federal employees to hold
local government Office when a
locality approves by referendum.
The measure Squeaked out Of
committee, 6 to 5. indicating a
floor fight is in store.
Judge Bill Hits Snag.
Legislation designed to give
each of the two judicial circuits
next to Washington an addi-
tional judge appeared to be run
ming into a possible snag. Sen
ator E. o. McCue. jr., of Char
lotteSville introduced a resolu-
ton asking for a commission
study of the work load and juYls-
diction of the various courts
throughout the State.
His measure says the Legisla-
ture is confronted with the
greatest number of bills Tor adj
ditional judges in various cir
cults. In a speech on the floor.
he said he thought all of the
bills-and he specifically men,
toned those affecting northern
Virginia-should be passed by
until the study is completed for
the 1856 session.
Another resolution asking for
a commission study of higher
educational opportunities was Of
fered by Delegate Harrison
Mann. joined by others in the
Arlington delegation.
The needs for higher educa-
ton facilities in various parts
OF the State seem to be increas-
ing Mr.. Mann said l hope
the study will show us where
these needs are greatest 50 that
the next General Assembly Will
be in position TO act"
DELEGATE Kathryn Stone and
all of the Arlington and Fairfax
delegations introduced a new bill
to set up machinery that would
validate bond issues of localities.
The idea is to ward off prolonged
litigation, such as a series Of
suits by Attorney John Locke
Green. which held up school
construction bonds about two
years ago.
Model Law Offered.
Similar legislation was intro
duced earlier in the session but.
after a subcommittee study, the
patrons agreed to submit new
bill Incorporating features of the
original measure with other fea-
lures in a model law prepared by
the American Bar Association.
A second bill was introduced
yesterday, however, to supple
ment the bond valuation plan.
1t would provide machinery for
a quick court test and valuation
of those taxes or other special
assessments levied to pay of
bond issues.
Joint committee hearings were
held yesterday on five proposals
to strengthen the absent voters
law, including Mr.. Fenwick'S
measure.
The Arlington legislator re-
ferred to vote scandals, princi-
pally in Southwest Virginia.
The Fenwick bills chief fea-
ture is that absentee ballots
would be sent to the State
Electoral Board in Richmond,
instead of the local boards. The
ballots would be counted by the
State board on the day follow
ing an election. and the results
certified to the local groups.
This, Mr.. Fenwick feels, would