Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-15
Law 10 Let u. 5.
Aid Disabled in
Virginia Asked
Mogruder Submits
Bill to Make State
Eligible for Funds
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff Cosrespordent

RICHMOND, Feb. 15.-Dele-
gate j. Maynard Magruder Of
Arlington today introduced legis.
lation in the General Assembly
to make Virginia eligible to re-
ceive Federal funds for public
assistance to the aged in private
institutions.
Failure to comply earlier with
revisions in the Federal Social
Security Act already has lost
about $4,000 in benefits in this
State, Mr.. Magruder said.
Amendments to the Federal
law in 1850 gave the States until
July, 1858. to set up a competent
authority and establish stand
ards for private institutions
which take care of the aged,
blind or totally and permanently
disabled.
Department Of Welfare.
In his bill, Mr.. Magruder desig-
mates the Department of Well
fare and Institutions as the au-
thority to issue regulations and
maintain minimum standards at
institutions caring for four or
more inmates. Private homes
caring for less than four persons
and other institutions already
licensed by the State Health or
Hospital Boards would not be re-
Quired to obtain licenses.
. In order to avoid loss Of fur
Their Federal public assistance
benefits. Mr.. Magruder said it
is imperative that legislation be
enacted at this session. He re-
called that at the special session
late in 1852 he attempted TO in
troduce legislation of comply
with the Federal law the follow
ing year. However, he was UNI
able to sponsor a bill at the
special session. which was limited
to the matter of redistricting the
State.
The bill offered today was rec
commended by the Council Of
State Governments. Mr.. Magru-
der is the Virginia member Of
the councils Board of Managers.
Gas Tax Increase.
Meanwhile. minis tration
forces this afternoon were to be-
gin an all-opt drive to put across
Gov. Stanley ; recommended l.
cent gasoline ak increase.
Gov. Stanley was scheduled to
appear personally and make a
statement on the proposal at a
public hearing by the House and
Senate Finance Committees.
In both the House and the
Senate considerable opposition
to the proposed increase is evi-
dent.
Proponents of the increase
from 6 to 7 cents have cited q
desperate need for highway con-
struction funds. They have
pointed to the highway depart
ment estimate that it needs as
much at $28 million extra every
year to bring State roads up
to standards of safety and to
meet the requirements of heavy
traffic.
The increase appears likely to
produce about $40 million an
nually.
Meanwhile. opponents of the
increase have questioned the
urgency of the need. They say
the required extra highway rev.
enues might come from proposed
truck-tax increases and from
other sources.
Close House Vote Seen.
But administrative leaders say
that the tax boost will be en-
acted-although they concede
the vote might be close in the
House.
Many legislators say they have
been receiving a number Of let
tiers stating opposition to the
proposed increase.
And some of the legislators
favor lacking on Amendments
either to earmark all or part
of the additional revenue to pri-
mary highways or set aside a
specified amount for secondary
roads.