Evening star., 1954-01-13
Greets
Assembly, Tells
OF Fund Needs
Will Ask More None,
For Hospitals and
Teachers, He Says
By Alex R. Preston
SsuF SioH Correspondent


today that he will ask for more
funds for mental hospitals,
teachers salaries and tuberculo-
sis SanitariumS.
The Governor, who completes
his four-year term q week from
today, gave q report on the ac-
complishments of his admins
tration to a joint session Of the
Senate and House Of Delegates
shortly after the Legislature be-
gan its 60-day session at noon.
Governor elect Thomas B.
Stanley will assume office next
Wednesday.
Cites Hospital improvements.
After speaking of improve
mentS made at mental hospitals,
the Governor added:
"I trust the General Assembly
will approve further increases
for operating expenses and pro-
vide funds for additional capital
improvements, which will be re-
Quested in the budget shall
submit"
The budget will be placed be-
fore the assembly Monday.
At another point in his mes
sage. Gov. Battle said, "substan-
tial increases are recommended
in the teacher salary items"
After reviewing progress in the
fight against tuberculosis, the
Governor added:
There still remains an acute
shortage OF facilities for Negro
patients; however. the appro-
priation Of $1.875,O made in
1852 to build a 50-bed surgical
diagnostic-teaching unit here in
Richmond is a first step toward
meeting the present need. This
modern facility is now under
construction. / shall offer fur
ther recommendations in this
field in the biennial budget :"
Cites Rise in Fund.
Gov. Battle noted that the
States general fund income had
risen from about $95 million in
the 1949-50 fiscal year to what
probably will be over $125 mil
lion at the close of the present
fiscal year next June 80.
During his administration,
Gov. Battle said, the tax depart
ment has assessed after audits
more than 50 million in taxes of
individuals. f1duciaries and COR
porations that woud largely have
been lost, plus nearly $6 million
in delinquent State taxes.
Gov. Battle took occasion to
speak of the outstanding ad-
minlstration" of my distin-
guished predecessor" former
Gov. Tuck. who passed on a sur
plus of $50 million that went
toward Gov. Battles $75 million
fund for State aid to local school
construction.
Emphasis on Education.
Gov. Battle called attention to
the increased financial emphasis
on public education in Virginia
and said he believed the average
classroom teacher salary would
figure out at about $2.925 for the
current fiscal year.
I'VE recognize that still fur
ther increases are merited and,
without now going into detail,
I should like to say that i. mem
bers Of the Advisory Board on
the Budget. and our State fiscal
authorities have carefully con-
sidered this matter in connec-
ton with the preparation of the
new Appropriation Act. Sub
stantial increases are recon-
mended in the teacher salary
items"
AS the opening day arrived,
legislation to repeal the States
poll tax already had been drafted
for introduction this afternoon.
The proposed amendment to
the State constitution to abol-
ish the $1.50 capitation tax as
a prerequisite to voting, was to
be sponsored by Delegates Wal
ter Page of Norfolk, Maynard
Magruder and Harrison Mann,
both of Arlington, and George
Cochran of Staunton, among
others.
Both branches of the Legisla-
ture organized informally last
night in caucuses by Democrats
who control all but eight seats.
One of the developments was
the appointment Of State Sen
ator Charles r. Fenwick of Ar
lington to the politically powerful
Steering Committee.
Caucus actions by Democratic
delegates included the selection
of former executive vice pres
ident of the Arlington Trust Co.
as House doorkeeper.
He is Milton r. Morgan, who
lived at 803 North Overlook
drive. Alexandria. in 1850, the
year he held the Arlington
banking Office.
Served as Delegate.
Mr.. Morgan served as State
banking commissioner from 1899
to 1850 and previously had
served 10 years. from 1928 to
1888, as a member of the House
Of Delegates from Craig and
Botetourt Counties.
E. r. Combs, who formerly
headed the State Compensation
Board for many years, will re-
quest for health reasons an in
definite leave Of absence as clerk
Of the Senate this afternoon.