Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-19

lond Legislature. Pose B-S
could revive the matter, which
was overwhelmingly voted down
by the House yesterday. The
Senate-approved bill does keep
the matter open. technically.
however.
The Senate voted, IS to 5, to
pass the bill Of Senator Charles
r. Fenwick of Arlington. BY the
same count. it approved another
sales tax measure for Washing
ton County which, by amend
ment. was enlarged 70 include
eight other counties.
But after an hours deba5e,
the House refused to advance
the bill Of Delegate j. Maynard
Magruder of Arlington. which is
identical to the Fenwick bill.
Today may see some of the
most spectacular developments
Of the session.
Stanley Test Of Strength.
For the second time. Gov.
Stanley will face a major test
of his strength on a major piece
of legislation. Up for debate in
the Senate this afternoon is his
recommended 1-cent gasoline tax
increase. AS the hour APP
preached, sentiment appeared to
be nearly evenly divided in the
normally conservative Senate.
It will be a crucial test for
Gov. Stanley, representing as it
does, a reversal Of his campaign
promises last fall of no more
taxes. The proposition has
brought about a decided assure
in the ranks Of the Democratic
organization. since many of the
party stalwarts campaigned for
Mr.. Stanley on the promise that
the candidate was opposed to
higher or additional taxes.
Last week. the Governor took
q setback in the House Of Dele
gates. when he personally ap-
pealed for rejection Of the so
called Carter bill. The House
proceeded to pass the bill anyway
and sent it on to the Senate.
The Carter bill. which would
suspend the Byrd automatic tax
credit law for three years, may
provide another highlight of the
days events. The Senate FIJI
nance Committee was to take it
up today.
Annual Assembly.
Aside from the sales tax &C
tons in both branches of the
Legislature. another major de-
velopment was approval by the
Senate Privileges and Elections
Committee Of a measure for an
nual sessions of the General AS
sembly.
The committee voted, z to 5,
in favor Of the resolution of
Senators Fenwick and John A. K.
Donovan Of Fairfax, for 30-day
interim sessions of the Legisla-
ture.
The resolution, which would
have to pass the 1856 Legislature
also and be approved by the
voters, would amend the State
Constitution, which now provides
for only one 60-day session every
two years. The short sessions"
in years between would be lin
tied to budget and revenue mat
tiers, bills recommended by the
Governor or those introduced
with the consent Of four-fifthS
Of the membership.
THE tremendous unrest dem
onstrated in this Legislature due
to the accumulation of large
SURPRISES in the face of great
needs yet to be met" said SEN
ator Fenwick, els reflected in
the vote Of the committee for
annual sessions"
Senator Donovan commented,
1.-THE committees action repre-
sents another great stride for
ward, resulting from the weight
Of the independent thought of
the people on the Legislature"
Virginia. one of only two
States that does not license beau
ticians and hairdressers. would
impose regulations requiring
minimum training and health
standards, under legislation now
before the General Assembly.
Senator John A. K. Donovan
of Fairfax sponsored the bill
yesterday.
Other new legislation offered
includes the following:
BY the Arlington House dele
cation, to allow local welfare
boards to receive and spend pri-
vate gifts. requests, etc.
BY delegates Omer Hirst and
Job Webb of Fairfax, to permit
their county to exempt manu-
featuring establishments from
taxation for five years, as an in
ducement to the location of new
industry there.