Evening star., 1928-03-07
ARLINGTON FIGHT
I BEFORE ASSEMBLY
Delegation of Is Faces Com
mittee at Richmond This
Afternoon.
BY REN COLLIER.
stan Correspondent OF The Star.

oA RG.A SOLANEh.
stan Correspondent OF The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, March 7--Nlort
than Is citizens of Arlington County
arrived here this afternoon TO carry ii'
rect 10 the Legislature an inSistent rles
for passage OF the So-calleti enabling
act for the Arlington City" referendum
bill.
They threw themselves admittedly
into fight against almost unconouera-
bic odds. The author of the BILL Hugl,
Reid. delegate from Arlington County
asked the citizens yesterday to agree to
withdrawal of the bill. but their reply
was to appear here in person and de-
nlan6 its enactment
The citizens. mostly representing the
Arlington County Civic Federation. ap-
pear at 2:30 o'clock before the House
committee on counties. cities and towns
10 voice their argument. Opponents of
the measure had preceded. and the
stage thus was set for another bitter
battle over the much disputed bill. The
civic delegation was headed by L. c.
NcNemar president Of the Arlington
County Civic Federation: Arthur Orr,
chairman of the federation'S executive
committee. and Carlton X. Lewis. secre-
tary. A number Of women were in the
delegation.
Leading the fight against the bill
are Commonwealth Attorney William
c. Cloth. chief of the legal forces de-
Tending Arlington County in the pend
ing annexation proceedings brought by
Alexandria and Charles r. Jesse. for
nler delegate to the Legislature and
also number Of defense counsel in the
annexation suit. They are baSing their
opposition on the argument that agita-
ton for the bill at this time will Seri-
cusiv hurt the county's chances OF be-
Ing victorious in the important litiga-
ton.
County Board Opposed.
Cloth and Jesse today answered a
charge that they are not representing
the county board OF supervisors in op-
posing the bill By displaying telegram
received from Edward Duncan, chair
man OF the board, in which it was
stated the board was opposed TO the
measure at the present time.
Senator Frank L. Ball who Spon-
sored the bill at the special session
last year. opposes the bill also on the
same grounds. that it would be detri-
mental in the annexation fight. Ball,
too, is member OF counsel in the case
In view Of the attitude OF the author
o; the bill observers here see no hope
whatever for its passage. Legislative
courtesy" requires that a committee
considering purely local bill comply
with the wishes OF the delegate spon-
soring 1t. and il appeared doubtful
that Reid would urge the committee
TO approve the Incorporation bill. in
view OF inSistence of annexation
counsel that such a course would be
disastrous to the county Reid in
t-oduced the bill in accordance with a
prediction pledge. He explained he
could not foresee then the legal COM
p1cations that would result.
Promises Are Refused.
Sen. .or Ball and Delegate Reid both
sent kilograms 10 Arlington County last
night refusing TO promise that they will
introduce and support the enabling act
Al the next session Of the Legislature,
providing its proponents would agree to
Its withdrawal at this time Both had
received kilograms requesting such a
pledge. They held that what they de-
cided 70 do two years hence should not
have any bearing on the present situa-
ton. Reid wired that he would state
his platform for the next Legislature
II and when / announce my candidacy
&SA SE~E4-LA&Uk-
Reid announced today that the bill
relating 10 private construction Of side
walks and planting Of shade trees, now
before Gov. Byrd for signature, speci-
1ezlly eXemptS Arlington County from
operation OF its provisions II has been
enormously reported that the bill. which
amends = previous iaw, made II lawful
Tor property owners IN Arlington Coun-
y 70 plant their own shade trees and
build their own sidewalks In front Of
their property. He pointed out this
was the case before he had the lax
amended at the present session, bu;
that the amendment made IL non -appli-
cable 10 Arlington County. The amend
rnent is designed TO insure uniform de-
yelopmeDs Of streets and parkings.
Delegate Wilbur Hall OF Loudou1
County. who led the nght for the new
law 70 regulate fire insurance rates ir
Virginia. heatedly aSsailed an editorial
in an insurance organ criticizing the
Legislature for lis action. The editorial
labeled. Legislative I-ackwits." va
read 20 the House Hall .characterizec
the editorial as "the dying groan O. a
monopoly that has been fattening upor
this commonwealth The insurance
Law is expected to result In reduced
rates throughout the Slate.
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