Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-06
FOES OF ARLINGTON
CITY BILL ASSA|LED
Defeat of Plan at Richmond
Blow at Rights, Civic
Leaders Say.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The star
CLARENDON, Va, April 6.-BacR
from Richmond and a stubborn but un
successful fight for passage by the
General Assembly of Virginia Of the
darlington City" referendum bill,
members Of the Better Local Govern
ment Commission appeared before a
meeting of the Civic Federation last
night, bitter in denunciation Of the
legislative system as well as the men
responsible for the killing OF the
measure.
l.. c. McNemar, chairman Of the
Better Government Commission; Z. r..
TAYLOR and Arthur Orr, members, sub
mitted verbal reports of the activities
of the commission since the last meet
ing, when it was authorized 10 ar
range for the enactment by the Gen
eral Assembly of an enabling act that
would give the voters opportunity
70 determine whether and when the
county should be incorporated X.
Y. Plymale, president Of the fedora
ton. contributed TO the report on the
biPs stormy life before the Legisla-
ture.
Jesse and Others Scored.
Charles 7. Jesse, representative of
the county in the House of Delegates,
whose opposition to the measure is said
"a have been the chief reason for its
downfall; William G.. Cloth, Common
vveaIth's attorney for Arlington
County, who appeared at the House
committee hearing to register obJec-
ton, and Gardner e.. Boothe and Will
liam Woods of Alexandria City, sug-
gestions from whom, it was said. in
fluenced the committee in deciding
that the bill was a general one ana
under a ruling established at the out
set Of the session could not be acted
on, were roundly scored.
Mr.. McNemar stated that the people
of Arlington County had indicated in
no uncertain terms that they desired
the right to determine their own po-
litical destiny, which was all the Dill
provided for, and that it was incom-
prehensible that anybody could be OPP
posed to that.
by the action of the committee of
the House in throwing out the bill.
Mr.. AfcNemar asserted, "the people
are denied what the Declaration of In
dependence states is the foundation of
good government"
Alexandrians Scored.
The appearance Of Alexandria cit
liens in opposition to the bin was char
6cter1Ze0 by Mr.. AIcLNeffldf dS Il litoSt
unadulterated piece of brass" Here
we have a problem that is strictly
our problem and we find people of
q neighboring community putting OBJ
stacles in our path. There can be
but one reason, and that is if Airing
ton County develops Alexandria can
grow no further. My greatest sorrow
over the defeat of the bin lies in the
fact that it leaves Arlington County
exposed to the annexation desires of
Alexandria
Mr.. Taylor stated that the legisla-
tive committee resorted to "subter-
fuge to rob us of our inalienable
rights" He advised the members to
know your man when casting your
vote in the coming election"
Mr. Orr, whose resolution adopted
by the federation started the move
Tnent for a change in the form of
county government. paid high tribute
TO the personnel Of the Better County
Government Commission and especial
~ to its chairman, Mr.. McNemar.
The commission on motion of Mrs.
Catharine NJ. Rogers was given a ris-
ing vote Of thanks for its services.
Senator Ball, who fathered the bill