Evening star., 1922-04-26
CLARENDON likely
TO .|0|N TAX FIGHT
Rumor of Injunction Move
Against 25-Cent Increase
Stirs Citizens Body.

nuHofS tnat a movement has been
launched in Arlington county to get
out an injunction against the board
Of supervisors to prevent tax in
crease of % cents on the 500 valua-
tion. recently adopted by the board,
from becoming effective, reached the
Clarendon Citizens Association at it's
meeting last night. The discussion
that resulted clearly indicated that
while the association is not prepared
to start anything along this line it's
cooperation could be depended upon
in any such fight.
The legal advisory committee was
directed to investigate the rumors
and empowered to act to the best of
its judgment.
The associations fight to compel the
board to publish comprehensive re-
penditures, as required by the Vir-
ginia code. was reopened.
President c. r. Taylor declared that
if fight Is waged to kill the increase
tax. the members of the board Of
supervisors have brought 1t upon
themselves for not keeping the tax
payers fully informed of the dis
position of the county's funds as re-
'The 2s-cent increase" he said. as
secondary consideration. l per-
sonally would not object to a $3.50
money would go for a beneficial
county purpose and the board would
make proper reports of the expendi-
lures. The board is not performing
its duty in this regard, and it Is up
to this association to see to it that
it does"
LeEal Opinion Asked.
The commonwealth attorney. Nr.
Taylor declared, has been asked by
whether the boards reports are made
in accordance with the law. LAS yet
we have not had a reply to our COM
munication. although the common
wealth attorney at public meeting
admitted that the board was not strict
ly following the code in its reports.
We must wait until his opinion is given
in writing and then the legal advisory
will be directed to take
proper action to see that the taxpayers
are given entire satisfaction in this
respect"
that if the matter of the increased levy
is taken to court it should be fought on
the ground that the county has reached
its maximum road levy of S0 cents on
the hundred valuation, as provided by
the code, and by its avowed intention OF
placing the additional revenue IN the
contingent fund for use on the roads
has indirectly and by suterfuge raised
the road tax to $1.Oo.
'rhc manner in which certain bills
affecting Arlington county were put
through the legislature was also Dlt-
terly scored by the members. 1t was
claimed that one bill creating the Of
al n he
yisors was conceived behind closed
doors and rushed through the legisla- :
ture at the last minute without the
knowledge of the taxpayers. who,
through taxation, will have to meet
tn salary bill.
portance of the association owning a
copy of the Virginia code and a COM
plete record of the acts of the legisla-
ture, following which, on his motion.
the meeting voted to purchase the
same.
A. P. Payne. chairman Of the in
corporation and water and sewerage
committee. speaking on the question
Of the Incorporation charter, stated
that a decision by the APPELLATE court
Is expected at any time now. and ne
appealed to the members not to let
the delay put damper on their en-
thusiasm. He expressed himself as
more confident of victory now than he
was when the question was opened
about two years ago.
President Taylor spoke encourage
ingly of the associations new home
building prospects. He stated that
lust as soon as the Clarendon Trust
Company, which owns the land on
which the proposed structure Is to
be erected, decides on the exact spot
and gives permission to proceed. a
drive for funds will be started,
which. he expects. will have the de-
sired results in thirty days.