Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-01

ization to preserve that natura
resource.
] was surprised TO learn hi
doesn't live in q frame house
It's a comfortable looking. two.
story brick house. It was bull
in 1912 by his uncle. Horace Gray
q former partner In the Gray
Lumber Co. 1t has five bed
rooms and Is the best in Waverly
The year 1855 was not the FRS
time the term. Gray Commits.
sion" has been USED widely ir
Virginia.
In 1919 Senator Gray headed
the Commission on State ant
Local Revenues and Expendi.
tures--a name that quickly gave
may to the shorter title with
common usage.
Also Controversial.
The earlier Gray Commission
report also was controversial. Il
Icontsined 50 recommendation,
for sweeping tax reforms. It wa,
|hotiy debated in the 1850 Legis.
Ilature and still is cited by law
makers and civic groups.
Main feature of the earlier
Gray Commission study was Il
place more responsibility on ths
localities to meet their own loca
problems.
I'VE didn't get very far. Of
course" Senator Gray told me
|"You know what happens Il
any legislation that means thu
people pay more taxes"
Some good did result. how.
ever, Reassessments Of real es.
tate now are required every sil
years when formerly this wa!
done every Is or 20 years IL
some localities. The present
Commission on Local Debt !;
another outgrowth Of the earlier
study.
Our program fell through,
Mr.. Gray said. ''but 1t was 9
worthwhile study and probably
has saved the taxpayers hun.
dreds Of thousands Of dollars"
Mr.. Gray claims to be ths
first businessman In Virginia II
advocate unemployment insur.
ance. He got former Gov. Pol.
lard to appoint a commission
on which he served. There
were no funds for the study 81
Mr.. Gray paid for the technica
and clerical staff. It was about
ready to report In 1880 with th'
wisconsin Plan" whereby in
dustries over a certain siz'
would be required to provide un'
employment benefits.
But the national Democrats
platform came along about ther
land included unemployment
compensation as one OF it
iplanks. We dropped the mattel
in Virginia"
Started Pensions.
He believes he is the first mar
in the lumber industry in TIN
South to inaugurate an employ
pension plan. It cost his worker
nothing. Between 80 and 40 re
tired men from the former com
pany are drawing pensions. b.
said.
| Aside from service on the Sus
sex County School Board ant
Welfare Board. a more direc
role in public affairs began TO
Mr.. Gray in 1910. In that yea
he served as delegate to tn
Democratic State Convention
and as alternate to the Nationa
Convention. He has been q dele
gate to two subsequent Nationa
Conventions.
/ He has never had any opposi
ton in a primary or general cleo
ton. He first ran for the Stat
Senate In q special election II
1874 for the unexpired term o
the late Robert w. Daniel. HI
was appointed to the Virgins
Advisory Legislative Council Il
l1s44 and resigned from the Sen
ate In 1945 due to personal al
fairs.
This interruption to his Sen
ate career has resulted in loss Q
some seniority there. But as
solid supporter Of the Democrat
Organization, he sits on the mos
important committees, includin
Rules, Finance and Privilege
and Elections.
Reelected Since 1947
He has been reelected eac
time since he returned to tn
Senate in 1947.
He served as finance chairma
of the Democratic gubernatoris
campaign OF william M. Tucl
! Later he performed the sam
services for Gov. Battle and Co
Stanley.
Like Senator Byrd. Mr.. Ora
did not take an active part /
the presidential election in 1875:
IMr. Gray is known to have tn
backing Of the former Democrat
!, for Eisenhower.
l To some. this background. plu
his service on the Commissio
lon Public Education, indicate
the Byrd organization may tap
him for Governor In 1857.