Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-08
Radar
Bill Advances
BY ALEX r. PRESTON
Star stan Correspondent

RICHMOND, Feb. "a tighter
radar law-to make it easier to
obtain convictions for speeding
arrests-was moved up in line
for passage by the House of
Delegates today.
The bill places the burden on
the accused to prove that the
State has failed to display ''radar
warning" signs at all places re-
quired by law.
At present. the law says no
driver may be arrested by a
|radar speed check unless signs
notifying the public of the use
|of the electrical timing devices
have been placed on all primary
highways at the State borders
and outside all cities and towns
|of $500 population or more.
Acquittals on Appeal
Stafford Delegate Frank p.
Moncure estimated in debate
yesterday that 80 per cent of
those arrested by radar fail to
contest the charge. But, he
added, some astute lawyers
have appealed their convictions
and won acquittals because the
prosecution could not prove that
all the signs were posted
throughout the State.
Under the revised law. the
courts would be allowed to pre-
sumo the signs were in place
unless the accused has filed an
affidavit showing the contrary.
The House advanced the bill,
whose patrons also include Ar
lington Delegates Harrison Mann
and William L. Winston, to the
stage for passage today. If ap-
proved. it would go to the Senate.
Also advanced for final House
action was a bill by Delegate
John Rixey of Norfolk directing
the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board to start selling whisky in
one-haf pint bottles at selected
stores as an experiment to de-
termine whether temperance
would be promoted.
Curb on Water Waste
The first Of a series of bills
resulting from a commission
study Of the States water re-
sources was introduced yester-
day.
In an effort to conserve re-
sources Of the underground wa
ter table. the bill would require
owners of free-f1owing artesian
wells to stop the flow except
when the water Is put to some
useful purpose. 1t would be a
imisdemeanor to allow the water
TO run to waste.
Another commission study bill
was sponsored by Delegate w. C.
Elliott of Russell County, and 68
co-patrons-more than enough
to pass it through the 100
member House.
The measure would place a
scent per bottle tax on all
whisky sold by the State to
finance a So million program for
the rehabilitation of alcoholics.
Alexandria Senator Armistead
L. Boothe offered a bill allowing
the creation of parking author
tiles in municipalities. The
public corporations could buy or
construct and operate Off street
parking facilities with powers to
condemn property needed for the
projects. Local governing bodies
could authorize parking author
tiles by resolution after public
hearings are held.
Mr.. Boothe also offered legis-
lation designed to restrict mis-
leading signs indicating Official
tourist information" at places
which use this device to encour-
age business. The signs would
be outlawed If they falsely con-
veyed the idea they were spon-
sored by any municipality, civic
group or the District of Colum-
bia. The latter provision appar-
emily would hit at any bogus
operators advertising themselves
In Virginia as official" tourist
centers for the Nations Capital.
Mr.. Boothe and Senator John
A. K. Donovan of Fairfax put
in new legislation strengthening
the law against polluting streams
from which municipalities take
their water supply.
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