Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-24
ARLINGTON coming
MEASURE RUSHED
Committee in Virginia As
sembIy Gives Bill Preference
After Senate Passes 1t.
BY STAFF Correspondent of The Star


RICHMOND, Va, March 24.-The
Arlington County coming bill, passed
unanimously yesterday by the Vir-
ginia Senate with an amendment to
make it's drastic provisions immediate
ly effective, was reported today to the
House of Delegates by the committee
on counties, cities and towns.
Slipping to the front for Senate
action several days in advance Of the
date set by regular procedure, due to
the speedy tactics of it's sponsor,
State Senator Frank l.. Ball, the zon-
ing measure was adopted yesterday
afternoon without debate.
The bill, stamped with senatorial ap-
prevail, was rushed to the House side
in readiness for action by the dele
gates. Formally presented to that
body, it went into the committee mill.
the wheels of which were speeded up
in order to report it today.
Gets Favorable Position.
Passage OF the bill by the lower
House Is looked for either Monday or
Tuesday. The measure now has a ia
vorable position on the House calen-
dar, and it is expected that it will
come up for vote early next week.
The high-light Of the Senate's action
yesterday was amendment of the orig
inal bill so as to make ii effective
upon enactment. Senator Ball, aU-
thor of the bill, explained that the
coming situation in Arlington County
amounts to an emergency.
The bin would provide for Airing.
ton County a powerful coming board,
with full authority to regulate ard
control the use and construction Of
any building erected in the county
and the use of land. 1t would give to
the county coming authority compare.
BILE to that vested in the District of
Columbia Zoning Commission.
Law Considered Vital.
Such law is considered as vital
to the success of the park and boule.
ward development plans of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com.
mission and the Virginia Park and
Planning Commission, and it was at
the instance Of these bodies and of
county civic organizations that steps
were taken to secure the necessary
legislation.
AS a further safeguard to the coun.
tvs orderly development, bill to in
vest the Virginia Park Commission
with authority to take aggressive ad.
ministrative action is being prepare
for early introduction.
This measure, designed to give the
Virginia park body powers similar to
those planned for the Maryland com
mission. is being drafted by u special
committee Of the Virginia commission,
members Of which committee also are
members Of the General Assembly. The
committee is composed of Senator
Ball Of Arlington County, House Floor
Leader Charles Henry Smith of Alex
andria and Delegate II. carlton
Hanes of Fairfax County.
It is expected the bill will be ready
for introduction early next week.
Speedy passage is predicted.
will Make Funds Available.
While the committee has not def
nitely decided on the exact terms of
the bill, it is known that it will pro.
vide the Park Commission with legal
powers to expend public moneys in
furthering the park pro-
gram mapped out in cooperation
with the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
Under existing conditions the com.
mission is virtually bound hand and
foot insofar as definite, concrete ac'
complishments are concerned. II may
now act only in an advisory capacity
in connection with plans of Federal
officials for laying out parks and park
ways included in the Greater Wash
bngton" program. It's recommends
tons are devoid of legal punch"
It is believed that the bill Will be
ready for submission to the legisla ture
by Monday.