Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-06
ALEXANDRIA AIDED
BY MUSTY STATUTE
Annexation of Potomac Area
Intended $50 Years Ago,
Court Told.


COURTHOUSE, Arlington County.
Va. January 6.-~An almost forgotten
statute more than $50 years old. resur-
rectcd from dusty files of the city ot
Alexandria, was offered at the annexa-
ton proceedings here today to show
| that tho ancestors of present AloXan.
| drans contemp lated extension of the
| city limits to the boundaries now
sought by the city.
The statute dated 1885. was read to
| the court by former Representative {.
e. Carlin of counsel for. Alexandra,
and it precipitated a furry of debate
between opposing counsel. The court
reserved it's decision on the admissi-
blity of the statute.
The ancient law stated that it was
advisable to extend Alexandria's street
system northWard into the then Alex
andria County as far ~ Four Mile Run
for ornamental purposes IT gave
n detailed plan for the construction of
| these streets into the territory which
is now in dispute before the court.
Mr.. Carlin declared that the law
has never been repealed He explained
, that the statute showed that AleXan-
dria's annexation move is not some
thing of modern origin. but dates back
to the days of Alexandria fore
fathers.
Called Mere Suggestion.
John :. Barbour. OF counsel for Ar
lington County objected strenuouSlY 10
admission of the law as evidence, ana
| charged that its presentation to the
court by Alexandria counsel was "a
sentimental and psychological at
tempt by the city to support It's case
ut helated moment In the proceed
ings. He pointed ont that the statute
had never been compiled with by Alex
andra, and added that It was not
mandatory act. but merely n suggns'
ton to those living outside the city
limit.
The court this afternoon will hear ar
Euments by counsel on motion by at"
torneys for Arlington County for
continuance OF the proceedings until
State Senator Frank i. Ball. one OF
the defense attorneys, Will have com
pleted his duties in the forthcoming
Legislature. Senator Ball Joined in
the claim for continuance under spe'
cial act of the Legislature enacted in
1926. to cover cases where members
Of the Legislature were serving az
private counsel.
MT. taflln ana lily Attorney AiD'El
Bryan of counsel for Alexa ndria, op-
posed the motion for n continuance
when it was presented this morning,
hut in view of the large questions In
volved the court decided TO devote
part Of the afternoon session 10 a
hearing of arguments on the motion
Contest Is Prolonged.
In any event. Judge Samuel G..
Brent. presiding in the case. announc-
ed that the proceedings would be CON
tinued until about January -. due to
the necessity for the circuit Judges
comprising the annexation tribunal at.
tending the circuit duties during the
next two weeks.
DIR. o. A. Ryder. Alexandria ply.
stefan, testified this morning that 30
per cent of the cases needing ply
>icians' attention in the disputed ter.
ritory are handled by Alexandria doc.
tors. CORTLAND III. Davis. lawyer.
testified that Alexandria capital g.
nanced the subdivision OF Rose Crest.
city Manager Paul Morton was cross
examined regarding Alexandria's gas
service.