Evening star., 1928-03-26
ANNEXATION FIGHT !.
ON WITHOUT CLOTH.
AIexandria's Case Is Being
Heard Pending Arlington
Delay Question.
BY a stan Correspondent. of Tn. star.

BY Stan correspondent OF Ine S1Ars
COURTHOUSE. Arlington County.
Va, March 26.--The Alexandria -Arling-
ton and Fairfax Counties annexation
proceedings were resumed here today.
despite the absence OF Arlington
County's chief counsel. Commonwealth
Attorney william G. Cloth, who Is re-
covering In Emergency Hospital from a
bullet wound alleged to have been tn
tiicted by his divorced wife.
At the outset Of the trial this morn
ing John S. Barbour. OF counsel for
Arlington County. moved postpone
ment of the proceedings until May l
in order to give Mr.. Cloth an oppor-
tunity to appear In the Anal stages II
the trial. At the suggestion. however,
Of r. Z. McCandlish, OF counsel for
Fairfax County, It was decided TO go
ahead with the hearing Of Alexandria's 3
case and then take up the question OF
a continuance for Mr.. Cloths benefit.
May Appear In Mid-April.
Mr.. Barbour told the court that the
commonwealth attorney OF Arlington
County probably would be in condition
to resume his part In the trial by the
middle Of April He pointed out that
Arlington County scarcely could be ex-
pected to begin It's defense without the
leadership OF Mr. Cloth.
In accordance with the decision to
resume. temporarily. at least, 1t was
agreed to place on the stand Paul Nor
ton, city manager OF Alexandria, for
continued cross-examination. It was
expected that the examination of Mr..
Morton would be completed this after
noon, and at the request Of counsel for
Alexandria 1t was tentatively agreed to
adjourn then until Thursday morning
at 10 o'clock, In order 10 obtain the
appearance of q special witness.
Alexandria's case probably will be
completed before the end Of this week,
and then the long-awaited defense bat
tie by Arlington and Fairfax Counties
will be In order
Morton Closely Questioned.
The cross-examination Of Mr.. Morton
was conducted by Cfandall Mackey of
counsel for Arlington County, and Mr..
McCandlish, representing the neighbor-
ing county Mr.. Mackey questioned the
city manager closely regarding the ctty's
reasons for desiring to annex parts OF
the two counties, and the reply in sub
stance was that additional land was
needed for expansion, and that the ad-
joining territory was needed as an ad-
tunct TO the police, fire and sanitation
program Of Alexandria.
A statement by Mr.. Morton that Alex
andria intended TO make of the Fairfax
portion q 500 or 400 acre park, larger
than Central or Hyde Parks. New York,
according to his own statement, created
a stir. Mr.. McCandiish quizzed the
city manager as to the city's ability 70
pay for such huge park project, and
he endeavored TO draw from the wit
ness an admission that the city could
not even pay for the territory which It
Is seeking TO annex from the two
counties.
"If the cost of this proposed annexed
territory should be In the neighborhood
Of half q million dollars" the attorney
asked, where would the city get the
money to pay for it?"
I'VE don't think IL will cost that
much" was the reply Of the witness
Mr.. Morton viii be questioned this
afternoon regarding the city-owned gas
works In Alexandria and other public
service rendered 10 the residents BY the
municipality.