Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-14
APPLE BLOSSOM
FETE TACTICS HIT
Alexandria Hears Reporters
Man-Handling Brought
Unfavorable Publicity.
b. 4 star Correspondent Of the star

By Sta6 Correspondent OF The Star.
ALEXANDRIA. Va. May Ire
greet over the Incident at the Winchester
Apple Blossom Festival recently where
newspaper reporters and photographers
and moving picture men werS man
handied by State police, was expressed
by John A. Petty, executive secretary
Of the Washington Real Estate Board,
speaking before the annual conference
Of building and loan associations of
Virginia here early this afternoon.
As > result OF the incident. Mr.. Petty
said, some very unfavorabie publicity
was given Virginia, while cooperation
with the news distributing agencies
would have multiplied what favorable
publicity was given many times. Events
such as the Apple Blossom Festival, he
said, depend almost entirely On the CO.
operation Of the various news agencies
s Hold Important Position.
The importance Of the responsibility
OF building and loan association men in
furthering and protecting home owner
ship was stressed by Mr.. Petty. Men
IN this field. he said, occupy neutral
position IN that they are not engaged
directly In business for a profit and be-
cause Of this they are constantly sought
for advice and guidance in matters per-
tanning to home ownership.
The development Of Northern Virginia
bordering the Potomac River must go
forward in harmony with the great plan
for the Nations Capital City, he said.
These developments, he continued, will
be Of unestimable value to the entire
State and for this reason the State
should cooperate whole heartedly IN the
development.
The conference was opened at the
CSaQPQa Mason EYOfaI haFA fnAo1y b1y Cfof
Senator John A. Lesner Of Norfolk
president. who declared his belief that
real estate taxes In counties, cities and
towns Of Virginia could be reduced 80
to 40 per cent by the DEVELOPMENT of
more equitable system Of local taxa
ton, through State legislation, and by
the institution of economies, dependent
on an aroused public interest in govern
mental affairs, and with disturbing
efficiency.
Relief Declared Essential.
Senator Lesner asserted that relief
for real estate from the existing tax
burdens, by which it paid from go To
10 per cent Of the cost of city and
county government, directly, and con-
tributed indirectly to the support Of the
State treasury, another substantial pro-
portion, was essential to the return OF
PoopSIIty III fuBullA COunJleS ana clJles
and urged the development of co-opera-
ton between counties and cities for
mutual benefits in this direction. He
| suggested the State take over a greater
part Of the support Of public schools
and other State-directed activities now
charged up to localities, so as to reduce
local real estate taxes.
While not presenting a concrete plan
| the Norfolk Senator, a member of the
| Senate Finance Committee, urged a
thorough study of the problem. He
praised the Byrd State tax system as
stabilizing the States finances, and
asked that legislative program be
urged that would work similar benefits
for the counties and cities.
/ The conference will be In session two
days. Other speakers were r. H. Fleet
/ president Of the Building 81 Loan AS
ISOLATION, Richmond, Va, and H. Nor
! ton Bodfish, executive manager of the
| United States League of Chicago. Ill.
At luncheon today at the George
Mason Hotel. Frank w. Noxon. presi.
dent OF the Alexandria Chamber d
Commerce, welcomed the delegates ano
introduced Dan s. Hollenga. bushes,
manager OF the chamber, who made 3
short address.