Evening star., 1923-02-21
, ARLINGTON CITY"
! ! BILL IS APPROVED
Incorporation of County Civ
| en- Boost by Civic
Federation.
BROADER POWER SOUGHT
Measure Will Be Presented to Spe-
, cial Session of Virginia
Legislature.
BROADER POWER SOUGHT
, Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CLARENDON, Va, February 21.-
The proposal to incorporate Airing
ton county as city, which is being
fostered by the Arlington County
Civic Federation, was pushed to an
other rung nearer the top of the ladder
when special meeting of that body
at the courthouse last night unan-
imously adopted the report of the
subcommittee of the general incor-
poration committee, which included
tentative draft of bill to be pre-
sented to the coming special session
of the legislature for passage as
general act. Hugh Reed, a member of
the subcommittee who read the pro-
posed act, stated that the document
would not be submitted to the legis-
lature in it's present form, but that
the phraseology probably would be
changed; however, its principles
would remain the same.
The resolution indorsing the COM
mittees action was offered by Z. A
Candee. An amendment to the resolu-
tion offered by ]. c. Byars gives the
committee authority to present the
matter by special bill if opposition to
the general bill develops and renders
General Act Favored.
The federation, it was pointed out,
would have a better chance of real
izing it's aims through a general act
that would affect all countries OF the
state than it would through special
act adopted for the sole purpose OF
meeting the needs of Arlington
county. Only a majority vote, 1T was
said, is required in the passage of
general act, while for a special act d
two-thirds vote of all elected mem
bers is required.
Under the proposed act, which does
not become effective until ninety
days after its passage, counties hav-
ing a population exceeding lO,oOO out
side of any already incorporated area
may change their form OF govern
ment to that of a city of the nrst
election of the people authorized by
the judge Of the circuit court.
10 Per Cent Must Sign.
To obtain this action of the court
the bill provides that petition ac-
companied by charter must De
signed by not less than 10 per cent
of the electors of any county quail
fled to vote at the last general cleo
tion. In case of an affirmative Tot'
on the question the bill provides that
the court shall certify the result OF
the election to the secretary or tht
commonwealth, who in turn Will re-
port to the governor and the general
assembly. to be followed by a procla-
nation by the governor.
No attempt, it was said, has been
made by the committee to formulate
a charter, although the committee
naturally has had many OF the ques-
tions involved under consideration.
The ninety days which must eiapS'
after the passage of the enabling acj
before any steps can be taken Tor !
special election on the question, II
was said, will be aml..S time Tor the
dra fling of charter that will NEE;
the requirements of the county am
the wishes of the people. Operating
under d city charter there are four
forms of government to choose from
city manager. commissioner. mayor and
council and general councllmanic, ac-
cording to statement made by III. II.
Porter, another member of the sub
committee. This feature, along with
others. it was said, is to be worked
out later and to be given wide publicity
before the question is put up to the
people for ballot.
One member stated that he had nol
heard anything said at any of tho
meetings of the federation to con-
vince him that the county would ben
eft by a change of government.
Broader Power Given.
Mr.. Reed then took the floor ant
presented few facts which resulted
in this member changing his views
and pledging support to the project
Mr.. Reed pointed out it was purely q
question of power and unit develop
ment. Under a county government
the power is lacking TO provide in
Vulnerable necessities such as play
grounds, parks, fire and police depart
ments and sidewalks and to control
public utilities. All of these things
are possible under city form of
government, he said. Mr.. Reed said
that the population of the county had
increased hundred per cent the past
few years and predicted "a fifty thou
sand population within the next ten
years. Such an area. he said. cannot
continue under a county form of gov
ernment.
j. Thomas Manning, speaking for
1.-The city of Arlington" said that the
movement is not the outcome of dis
satisfaction with the conduct of the
officials now in office. They are funce
tioning under an antequated form of
government, he said. and cannot be
blamed for the shortcomings of the
county. Incorporation. he said. will
eliminate all community misunder-
standings and differences and If it
does nothing more than that it will