The Washington times., 1902-07-27
MOVE TO INCORPORATE
VILLAGE OF ROSSLYN
Petition to Be Sent Vir-
ginia Legislature.
Matter Passed Both Branches, But
Was Vetoed by Governor
Montague.

The varying fortunes OF the little town
known as Rosslyn, Va, just across the
Potomac from Georgetown. are to have
another stirringup soon by some of the
more enterp-ising residents of that ham
let, and more especially by the Wash
ingtonians who have property interests
there. A petition is now being circu-
lated with the intention Of allying all
these interests in order to make win
ming fight, when the Virginia Legislature
meets again next fall. for the incorpora-
tion CT the entire territory at the south
ern end Of the Aqueduct Bridge as the
village Of Rcsslyn.''
Legal action Of this sort. is desired. il
Is said. by the great majority CT the
towns population OF several hundred
persons and by all the local investors.
Among the latter are Hon. Frank Hume.
the Messrs. Dulaney and others. Many
reasons are advanced in support of the
proposed action and confidence is ex-
pressed by those interested that the In
corporation will be successfully car
ried out before the end OF the present
year.
A Previous Attempt.
Net long ago an attempt was made to
have the Virginia Legislature incorfor-
ate the village. A bill was drawn up and
presented, favorable action was secured
IN beth branches. and the measure went
to the governor for his signature. Though
Mr. Montague had indicated to certain
friends OF the measure that he would
probably give it his approval. 1t was
vetoed. Much disappointment resulted,
and the Impression gained ground some
how that the bill had failed because a
certain alleged gambling element had
been discovered back of the measure.
This reason. however, 1t has since been
learned, was incorrect. When Governor
Montague took up the bill to run through
its vnrious provisions and attach his sig
nature in accordance with his previously
announced intentions. he found that q
provision had been inserted providing
that elections in the new village should
be held only cnce in four years.
AS this confiicted win the general
State law. there was nothing for the
governor to do but veto the whole bill.
AS the session of the Legislature was
dropped for the time being.
Property Interests Involved.
The property interests at Rosslyn are
estimated at several hundred thousand
dollars In value. and perhaps as much
as half q million. Several large In
dustries, having their principal market
IN this city, are located there. There
are several score persons owning their
homes. it Is said. and many others oc-
cupying rented houses. These people.
though within a stones throw OF the
Capital City, cannot call upon its po-
lice force to protect them in their
rights, and claim that, because of many
brawls and ARRAYS in the ne!ghborhool.
their peace is disturbed and their prop
erty interests caused to depreciate in
value.
Property owners say that what is need
ed is an efficient local government to
enforce the laws without fear or favor
lookup for those who ought 10 be in
such q place of detention. and the rais
ing of local taxes for local improve
ments.
strange feature OF the efforts to-
ward village incorporation has been. t
is stated. that the opposition has num-
bered among its supporters two rad
ically opposed elements; a certain class
of people with q great prediction for
gambling. who want place easy of ac-
cess TO carry on their games with little
chance Of interference. and in league
with them, but for a very different rea-
son, the property owners in the far
ends OF the county. The latter oppose
the incorporation because they want to
keep up the tax receipts to as high a
mark us possible. to be spent on the
roads O. the whole county instead Of
having such funds diverted to the use
OF the proposed village of Rosslyn.
Public sentiment in the hamlet is now
believed to be so strong that. with the
Washington influence back of the move
ment. Incorporation will be accom-:
plished early in the next session of the
Legislature. What the opposing fac
tion will do is not yet known. but thnir
antagonism is again expected. II the
provision which caused the previous
measure to fail was inserted as ''jcker"
1t is admitted that the same game may
be played again. SO that extreme Wig
ilance will he used to guard against the
repetition OF any such rIsa.