Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-10
Arlington Organizations and
District Stirred Into Con-
troverSy Over Plant.
DECISION ON WHARF
EAGERLY AWAITED
Proposal to Give Federal Authori-
ties Jurisdiction Over Virginia
Water Front Is Fought,
BY LESTER n. INSKEEP.

Perhaps at no time in the history OF
the relationship between Arlington
County and the District of Columbia, &c
say nothing of the relationship between
the civic organizations and the govern
ing body of the former political juris-
diction. has there been more contro-
versy than that aroused by the grant
ing of a permit to the Sun Oil Co. OF
Philadelphia for the erection OF tank
farm and distributing station on the
Potomac River front just north Of the
Key Bridge in Rosslyn.
This matter has been a source OF
contention since the application for the
permit was made to the Arlington
County Zoning Commission nearly a
year ago, and has apparently not
reached a climax, despite efforts OF
many official and semi-ofhcial organlza-
tions, as well as residents directly az
1ected, to have the plant barred.
Decision Awaited.
At the present time there is pending
q decision by the chief Of engineers OF
the United States Army. Maj. Gen. Lytle
Brown, as to whether the company
shall be permitted to erect 200-foot
wharf into the Potomac River upon
which to unload its products. This
decision is expected during the coming
week and is awaited with the greatest
interest by those affected.
There is also pending in Congress a
Joint resolution giving to the director
of public buildings and public parks OF
the District of Columbia the right to
disapprove permits for wharves extend
ing into the Potomac River from the
Virginia shore opposite the District OF
Columbia This resolution passed the
Senate with little opposition, but when
it reached the House District commit
tee it was found to include the wharves
of the City of Alexandria, and is being
held up pending redraft OF this par
ticular clause.
The original permit was sought by c.
H. Greathouse, owner of the property
upon which it is proposed to erect the
plant. The Zoning Commission refused
to consider the matter until the appll-
cation had been formally made by the
company. and by that time a large
amount of opposition had been aroused
in the county, particularly among the
residents affected. When the formal
application was made, and after pub
lie hearing, the zoning Commission
voted three to two to recommend to
the Board of County Supervisors that
the permit be denied.
Citizens File Petition.
When the APPLICATION came up before
the latter body another public hearing
was held and the Arlington County
Civic Federation, Organized Women
Voters of Arlington County, adjacent
property owners and other organizations
presented petitions disappearing the
granting of the permit.
Disregarding these petitions, the
board, by a two-to-one vote, granted
the permit, giving as its reason the
need of the county for the additional
revenues that might flow into the
county treasury as a result Of the es-
Enlistment Of such industry.
The board has at all times resented
the action of Federal officials and civic
organizations for their interference IN
the matter, and at its last meeting
passed a resolution attacking the con-
gressional resolution by which the di-
rector of public buildings and public
parks would be given Jurisdiction over
the wharfage construction on the Ar
lington County shore.
The permit granted by the Board OF
Supervisors is only for the erection and
operation of the plant, the courts hav-
ing held that the Federal officials have
jurisdiction over the river to the high
water mark of 1871; hence it will be
possible for the engineers Office Of the
War Department to cut off the ship
ping facilities that are sought.
At the time the application was filed
It was stated by the oil company that
wharfage facilities were absolutely nee
essary to the project. since it is only
by that method of transportation that
the company can hope to handle its
products in a sufficiently economical
manner to Justify operation OF the
plant.
The principal objection Of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission to the plant is that it would be
located in the area that is desired for
the construction Of the proposed George
Washington Memorial Park, extending
from Mount Vernon to Great Falls
The commission has made known its
opposition to any project that might
either interfere with this development
or mar the possibilities of identifying
the Arlington County water front that
faces Potomac Park.
The fight of the Civic Federation and
Organized Women Voters has been
directed by Mrs. Florence E. Cannon Of
Arlington as representative of both or
CARNATIONS, while Capt. Crandal
Mackey, at present a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Congress
acted personally and as legal repre-
sentative on the behalf of the adjacent
property owners.
Capt Mackey, together with 25 or 81
other owners of handsome residences
on the heights overlooking the site Of
the proposed plant. objects both on the
grounds of dissertation of an otherwise
pleasing view and because Of the fire
hazard, claiming that a fire in gaso-
line and oil storage plant Of the size
of that proposed by the Sun Oil Co
would not only endanger the lives and
homes Of nearby residents, but all OF
Rosslyn and parts of Georgetown as
well.
The board of supervisors, acting upon
the advice Of the commemorative at
torney, refused to consider petitions
asking a reversion of its decision, ii
being claimed that the board has nc
rifrlnf 1nsra liz, dnrnr.irtn of