Evening star., 1928-11-23
ANNEXATION CASE
MARKED BY T|LTS
Alexandria Manager Contin-
ueS Testimony as to
City's Advantages.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ARLINGTON, Va. November 23.-
With numerous tilts between counsel
the annexation case of Alexandria
against Arlington County was resumed
this morning with City Manager Paul
Morton of Alexandria on the stand.
In the event of annexation. Mr.. Nor
ton told the court, Alexandria can ade-
quately handle the sewage of the terri
tory it seeks to obtain. He said that
Hooffs Run sewer, 100000 project
which is expected to be completed in
the Spring, could be continued from
the city limits to pick up the raw sew
age dumped into the run by Arlington
County residents. He said the sewer
could be extended to Mount Ida to
receive the sewage of that section, and
that the houses in Braddock and Brad
dock Heights could be served by the
Timber Branch trunk line. Hooffs
Run sewer. he said, was constructed
in such a manner that it could easily
take care of the houses erected in the
territory as we'll as in the city itself.
Objects to Testimony.
The city manager said the territory
across the old canal basin, from an
economical standpoint. would be
severed to the Potomac River. Attorney
Crandall Mackey of Arlington counsel
noted an objection to the testimony
being offered by Mr.. Morton, and filed
an exception when his motion was
overruled.
Under questioning by Attorney Albert
Bryan. of the counsel for Alexandria,
MIR. Morton attempted to show that the
Alexandria Water Co. was in position
to supply the residents of the territory
in question, but Mr.. Mackey objected,
stating that the testimony was not
primary. and had been gained, as a
witness admitted, by inspection of the
books, maps and records of the water
company. and not through personal
knowledge. The objection was sustain
ed, and an exception was noted by Mr..
Bryan.
Arlington County counsel stubbornly
objected to allowing the witness to tes-
tify as to the portion of the bonded in
debtedness of Alexandria. which had
been used for promotion of railroads in
the city. and the objection made by
John S. Barbour was sustained.
The court refused to allow Mr.. Nor
ton to read from the 1877 annual re-
port >of the city the information asked
by Mr.. Bryan.
Turning to assessments of personal
y,
personal property assessments in Alex
andria in 1915, when other territory
was annexed, totaled $1.214.639 for all
classes. Tangible personal property as
sesSments in 1928 amounted to 1912, 1913.
He said he had not segregated the as
sessmentS on tangible and Intangible
personal property for 1928.
Street Lighting Explained.
exandria manager explained the street.
lighting system of the city. He said an
illumination expert was employed in
1925 to design the most modern light
ing system possible. and that the City
Council made an appropriation of $4,000
to start installation work Immediately,
and is now making annual appropria-
tions to improve the system.
He said that every cross road and
street intersection in the old city and
the territory gained in 1918 was illu-
minated by foreign lights. He said the
city now has 358 street lights. includ-
ing so in the new territory. He said the
city has white way of 73 lights on
King street, installed by property own
ers. and the operating cost paid by the
city.
Asked by Mr.. Bryan If he had any
streets recently torn down and replaced
with a modern concrete structure, Mr..
Morton said the bridge was located in
Glendale, and was placed there by sub
dividerS before the city took over the
street. He said he condemned the
bridge two years ago and kept 1t closed
until the Hooffs Run sewer project was
started and that a modern $4,000
bridge and storm water culvert had
been installed. Capt. Mackey in his
opening remarks to the court on We'd
nesday referred to the bridge.
In comparing the sidewalks and
streets in the territory adjacent to Alex
andria on the north with those of the
city, Mr.. Morton said that, generally
speaking, those of the city were better
than those in the county. but that
C. L. Kinnear, the Arlington County en-
gineer. is eliminating the poor methods
and that modern streets and sidewalks
are being installed by the county.
Wednesday Capt. Mackey said the
city had sold a site in George Wash
ington Park which it had purchased at
a nominal cost, with the understanding
that it was to be used as public park.
Mr. Morton read deeds which explained
that the city purchased the land in
question for $6,316.94 in November,
1915. and sold the land to the George
Washington National Masonic Memo
rial Association for $4,000 on April 1,
1921, as q site for a $5,000,000 temple
now being constructed.
Prior to adjourning for lunch the
direct examination of Mr., Morton was
completed by Attorney Bryan. and the
witness was submitted to counsel for
Arlington County for cross-examination.
The crosS-examination. which will be
conducted by Capt. Mackey. was eX
pected to consume the entire afternoon.
Following today'S session court will