Chap. 18.—An ACT authorizing the councils of cities in this Commonwealth
having, by the Iast United States census, a population in excess of 65,000
inhabitants and less than 100,000, to increase, during their respective
terms, the salaries of captains and sergeants of the police force and as-
sistant chief or chiefs of the fire department, and other city oflicials.
whose original term of office has been extended by law, and to ratify and
confirm ordinances heretofore passed by any said city, providing for
any said increase. [H B 25]

Approved February 5, 1918.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
any city of the Commonwealth having, by the last United States
census, a population in excess of sixty-five thousand and less than
one hundred thousand may, by ordinance or ordinances, increase
during their respective terms, the salaries of captains and sergeants
of the police force and assistant chief or chiefs of the fire depart-
ment; and at the termination of the term for which any city official
has been appointed or elected the council of any city may, by ordi-
nance, increase his salary, notwithstanding the fact that the said
term has been extended by law; that any and all ordinances hereto-
fore passed by the council of any said city, providing for any said in-
crease are hereby ratified and confirmed; any provision of charter
to the contrary notwithstanding.

2. Owing to the difficulty of maintaining fire and police depart-
ments in the said cities, on account of the high wages paid in other
occupations, due to the present war conditions, and owing to the
proper administration of public matters in said city, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this act shall be enforced from its passage.