The Washington times., 1933-12-27
COUNTYMERGER
SAVING PUT At
S18,000,000
Elimination Of 6s Virginia
Units Would Cut Huge Slice
From $29, 100000 Bill
BY JOHN E. TAYLOR

BY JOHN E. TAYLOR
Forty-two Of Virginia's 100 coun
ties are combined theoretically to
day into IS jurisdictions, making
80 counties under the suggested
consultations.
The average county government
costs $290,000 annually. This does
not include the fees paid directly
to some officials by persons doing
business with them.
Savings Is $1S,OOO,OOO
BY eliminating 68 county gov
ernments, approximately eighteen
million dollars could be saved.
The counties have been costing
twenty.nine million dollars annu'
ally to run.
Goochland, 1858 population;
Flu wanna, 7,446: Cumberland
1885, and Buckingham, 1885, fo1
a total population Of 36,249. could
be combined.
Historic Albemarle, which con-
tains the independent city of
Charlottesville Q5,245), has a
population of 26,981, exclusive OF
Charlottesville, and it could eco
nomically combine with Nelson,
16,345, for a combined govern
ment for 1926 persons.
Triple Mergers Suggested
Page, Rockingham, and Angus
ia, the latter two containing the
independent cities of Harrison
burg and Staunton, have total
population of 83,754. excluding
the cities. Page has 1882; Rock
ingham, 29,739; and Augusta,
38,163.
The three counties of Highland,
4,525; Bath, 8,137; and Allegheny,
27,027, could be merged. Their
total population is 39,689.
Rockbridge and Amherst, with
24,904 and 19,02O, respectively, for
a total of 1924, could profitably
combine.
The others that could save con-
siderable by a merger are Bote-
tourt, 15,457, and Bedford, 29,029,
totaling 44,486.
Pittsylvania- Halifax
Pittsylvania, the largest in the
State in area, contains the indie
pendent city of Danville, and, ex-
Guiding the city's 22,247 inhabi-
tants, has a population of 61,424,
which could be combined with
Halifax county, 41,283, giving a
combined government to 102,707.
Franklin, 24,337; Henry, 20.088,
and Patrick, 1871, could be
merged into one county govern
ment serving their 60,212. Pat
rick and Henry once were Patrick
Henry county, but separated some
years back. Henry contains the
independent city Of Martinsville,
7,705.
Craig, the county with the
smallest population in the State,
1862, should be merged with
Roanoke county, 35,289, and with
Montgomery, 25,832, for total
population of 64,683. Roanoke
city, independent, with 69,2O6
population, is in Roanoke county.
Floyd and Carroll, 1883 and
22,144, respectively, could merge
their governments and serve their
combined population of 33,842
more economically.
FOur-Way Union
One government would serve
60,1O5 persons living in Giles,
Pulaski, Bland, and Wythe coun-
ties. Giles has 12,804; Pulaski,
20,566: Bland, 6,031, and Wythe,
2O,7O4.
Buchanan, 16,740, and Dickin-
son, 1916, totaling 32,876, should
merge.
Tazewell and Russell, two other
southwestern section counties,
having 32,477 and 25,957 popula-
ton, respectively, could merge
their governments and serve the
58,4S4 persons living in the coun-
ties.
One government could serve
Grayson, 20,O17; Smyth, 25,125,
and washington. 42.690, more
cheaply than the existing govern
ments of the 1882.
Wise, with its 51,167, is the
most densely populated county
without an independent city. It's
population is, of course, over
whelmingly rural. It could merge
with Scott, 24.l81, and Lee, 3O,-
419, totaling 105.767, and one
government would suffice.
Arlington county has not been
figured in this consolidation be-
cause, in a few years, it will be
Onn n0roroI1ojfv ood ,v,iIl h. ~.oo~.o