Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-21
Stanley Speech
Sets Assembly
Wheels Turning
Flood Of Bills Seen;
Reaction Divided
In Gas Tex PIeo
BY Alex R. Preston
Star Stufe correspondsnt

RICHMOND. Jan. 2l.-With
the Inauguration Of Gov. Thomas
b. Stanley over. members Of the
General Assembly today got
down to the business Of enacting
laws for the Commonwealth.
A flood Of bills is expected in
the legislative body. which al
ready Is a week old and has
about i've weeks to go.
The lawmakers seemed to be
marking time until after Gov.
Stanley's ofiicial installation yes
terday as successor to John s.
Battle.
The Arlington delegation had
ready for introduction this aft
ernoon q bill to change the se-
quence in which members OF the
County Board are elected.
At present. one member is
elected each year for three
elected in the fourth year. There
are i've members Of the board.
Backed by Federation.
At the request Of the board
and the civic federation, legisla-
ton is being introduced to hold
county board elections every two
years. Two members would be
elected In the years in which
Virginians elect their governors.
The other three would be elected
in the years in which "constitu-
tional officers" such as sheriffs.
treasurers, ETC., are chosen.
Gov. Stanley gave detailed
outline Of his administrations
program in his inaugural address
yesterday. and today the capitol
buzzed with reaction to that
program.
In the background lay the
hard money facts-estimates of
revenue and the best thoughts
on expenditures-contained in
the budget message of outgoing
Gov. Battle last Monday.
Gov. Stanley's cali for a one
cent increase in the gasoline tax
AN admitted reversal Of his
campaign promise-created the
greatest impact n the collective
legislative mind. Some were for
1t, some against II.
He also called for q four-year
program Of gradually increased
teachers salaries to meet the
campaign promise that he would
support the schedule asked by
the State Education Board
$4,000 starting minimum for
certified teachers. $500 for
them after IL years teaching
experience.
Oppose Gas Tax Rise.
The Republican delegation.
three in the Senate and five in
the House. "anti-organization"
Delegate Robert Whitehead and
a number Of organization men,
bers vehemently opposed the gas
tax increase. But floor leaders
in both houses said it was
necessary.
There were good words gen.
orally for Gov. Stanley's pro-
posed increases for teacher pay
and mental patient care.
The gas tax rise issue is be-
lieyed certain to be dovetailed
into arguments for and against
new taxes on truckers and pro-
posals to build toll roads. And
yesterdays reaction gave notice
that even with the powerful
backing of the new administra-
ton the fight on the tax would
be a rough one.
The Arlington delegation In
the House with the additional
signature of Delegate Frank
Moncure Of Stafford sought i'm
mediately to block the effective
ness of the proposal by law.
Would Ban Immediate Rise.
Delegate Maynard Magruder
was principal patron Of a bill
which would ban any increase in
the present 6-cent State gasoline
tax until after the 12-cent Fed
eral levy Is decreased by at least
one cent. Chances for this Fed
eral reduction are regarded as
virtually nil for the near future.
However. the State administra-
ton has expressed the belief the
half-cent part Of the Federal
tax, due to expire April !. won't
be reimposed.
Senator Ted Dalton. the Re-
publican who lost to Mr.. STAN
ley. said the increase was just
what he forecast during the cam
paign.
1--WE were assured and reas-
sured that no gas tax increase
would be forthcoming" he said.
In spite of the many express
sions against it from assembly,
men allied with the organization,
the proposal has substantial
backing in both houses. And
when the lines are drawn, it
may find enough votes to put 1t
over.
But the thinking Of some ore
ganization supporters was
summed UP on whether the issue
should be supported by Delegate
John Boatwright's terse. Hell.
no."
/ Nnfn&inn NV lrdna