Evening star., 1927-04-05

BUA III sell ~~IifS it%tt'
of voters to express themselves at the
polls on matter of paramount inter
est. In response to an inquiry from
member of the committee he declared
that the federation represents 81 Cit
izens' Associations, the ma ajority OF
whose members are property owners
and voters The federation, lac said.
represents 8 600 prominent citizens ana
voters-''the life-blood Of the commu-
nifty"
At this juncture Delegate Jesse
arose Va explain his opposition to the
bill. He asserted that the only point
Of disagreement between himself and
senator Ball over the measure CON
cerned the sufiiciency of pubic senu-
ment i'm favor Of Incorporation, point
no out that Senator Ball believed there
were enough people in favor of incor-
poration to warrant holding an elec-
ton. while he tJesse) did not.
Would Await Sentiment.
AR. plvmale himself doesn't know
whether he Is in favor of incorpora'
ton or not" Mr.. Jesse stated. i
think / am safe in saying that /
haven't heard of any one In favor OF
incorporation outside of about two
men. When the people have had am
pla time to consider the advantages
and disadvantages of the question.
then | say lot them decide whether
they shall incorporate, but not until
there ia more sentiment behind the
proposal than there is at present will
feel justified in putting the county
to the expense and trouble of calling a
special election"
There ensued n discussion as to the
reported movement on the part OF
Alexandria for annexation of part
of Arlington County, and Gardner l..
Boothe, prominent Alexandria attor"
ney, was called on TO explain how
the movement originated. lie de
clared that at recent meeting of the
board Of directors of the Alexandra
Chamber Of Commerce the matter Of
anneXing part of the county was
brought UP spontaneously by "a
youthful member of the chamber, Mr..
May" and that without mature
thought or consideration Il resolution
by Mr., May was adopted.
This action was noised abroad In the
press, he said, and resulted in agita-
tion for incorporation of Arlington
County as a protection against terri
torial encroachments. There is no
serious intention on the part of the
OF Arlington County, he asserted.
Denies Bill Is Local.
Mr.. Boothe raised the point as TO
the soundness Of the contention that
the referendum bill is local measure,
entitled to be acted on at the special
session of the Legislature without
necessity of a three-fourths vote In
favor of its consideration. He claimed
that the bill was of Statewide signifi-
canoe. because of the fact that 1t
provided for q Corporation Court
whose Judge would be partly com
pensated by the state. and that there
are two State highways traversing
the county which would become city
Lee Highway and the
Highway.
Commemorative Attorney William
c. Cloth of Arlington County joined
with Mr.. Boothe in opposing the bill
on the ground that 1t was not local
measure. This view also was stated
by William Woods, corporation COUNSEL
of Alexandria. Cloth made the state
ment that the people of Arlington
County are overwhelmingly opposed
to the enabling act at this time" de-
that the property owners, who
must ttpay the bill.'' are not ready for
and haven't had an
to learn all about it that
they should know. He mentioned the
decision of the State highway COM
mission to build highway approach
to the new Memorial Bridge and said
that the State could not be expected
to build city street" Furthermore,
he added. if the county becomes
city, it viii lose it's share Of the gaso-
line tax, which last year amounted to
S43 600 and this year will amount to
$4,000
Orr Denies Charge.
Arthur Orr, one of the original lead
ers in behalf OF the bin and member
OF the Better Government Commission
and other civic bodies, advised the
that its duty was not to de-
eide the merits of the incorporation
That was to be decided
In the proposed election, he said. He
as absurd the statement
that the people are overwhelmingly
against measure which gives TO
them the right to decide question by
ballot among themselves. If a ma
jority of the voters are against in
he pointed out. they will
settle the whole controversy at the
polls. He denied that the measure
was of general or Statewide import.
c. r. Taylor. president of the Clar-
endon Citizens Association and a
of the civic federation, chal-
lenged a statement of Cloth 10 the eff
feet that the enabling bin would be
the big issue in the coming elections
and shouted that the real issue would
be whether the people shall he per-
mitted to say yes or no on question
OF public interest.
Other Members Present.
Other members OF the civic delega-
ton az the hearing included James r.
president of the Arlington
District Council; Thomas f. Gilbert
and Mrs. Claude s. Semones. 1t was
announced that c. r. Ahalt, president
of the Chamber of Commerce, had
been prevented from attending be-
cause of pressure of business in New
York.
Mr.. McNemar told the committee
that, because of a customary under
Senator Ball was prevented
from appearing personally in support
Of his bill before the House commit
tee, but the Senator's statement, an
his desire to have the meas
ure enacted into law, was read to the
Upon conclusion OF testimony the
committee voted to defer formal de-
cision on the bill until this morning,
and the Arlington County delegation
at once left for their homes.
Accused of Firing Freight Cars.