Evening star., 1942-01-11
Many Nearby Bills
Await Introduction
In Virginia Assembly
Session Moy Be Lost
At Which Arlington
Hos Only One Delegate
By ALEXANDER r. PRESTON.

With a large number Of bills OF
special significance to the Northern
Virginia area ready for introduction,
the oldest legislative body in the
Nation, the Virginia General As
sembly. will begin its biennial Co.
day session Wednesday.
1t probably will be the last session
| in which Arlington County will have
but one voice in the House Of Dele
gates. because a legislative commits
sion will recommend that this repre-
sentation be doubled. The counties
of Arlington, Fairfax and Prince
! william and the city Of Alexandria
also are scheduled to have rela-
lively greater representation in the
! Senate at all future sessions.
| The assembly meets at a time
when Fairfax County citizens are
forced to depend on the good
neighbor" attitude Of delegates from
adjacent counties and Alexandria to
sponsor Fairfax measures.
| Col. r. r. Farr. Fairfax delegate.
has been confined to a Washington
hospital for the last two months
and is not expected to be able to at
tend the session Col. Farr. a Re-
publican. defeated Francis Pickens
Miller, Democratic incumbent, in
the election last November.
Other Legislator to Help.
legislators from the areas ad-
Joining Fairfax indicated they would
be willing to handle some measures
for that county In the House Of Del
egates, where most local acts are
introduced.
A greater voice for nearby areas
in future Assembly sessions Is vir-
tually assured. because of recon-
mendations for reapportionment OF
| House and Senatorial districts by a
commission headed by Senator E. r.
Fuller of Richmond. In addition to
recommending an increased House
membership for Arlington, that
county would be given its own Sem
ator instead of being part Of the
29th Senatorial district, which in
cludes Fairfax and Prince William
Counties and Alexandria.
Alexandria and the two counties
! would gain slight increase in Sem
ate representation with Arlington
| removed from their district. Dele
gate Maurice D. Rosenberg OF Alex
andria already has given notice that
he will ask even greater strength
| for his constituents in the Senate
by seeking to have Prince William
placed in the 28th senatorial district.
thus leaving only Alexandria and
Fairfax County.
The reapportionment recommen-
dations undoubtedly will be opposed
by many of those who stand to lose
some representation. AS some coun-
| ties and cities gain voice others
must give up part of their repre-
sentation because of State constl-
| tutional limitat ton which establishes
! the number of Delegates at 100 and
/ the number of Senators at 40.
However, there has been no ap-
portionment for more than 10 years
and many recognize the need OF
equalizing representation on the
basis of major population changes.
Big Legislative Program.
Beside the assistance given to
Fairfax County. the usual volume OF
general legislation and the extra
bills dealing with national defense
that will be up for action. the Sena-
tor and Delegates from the nearby
area anticipate a number OF meas
ures sponsored by their own con-
stituents.
Senator William D. Medley OF
Arlington who represents the Goth
| district, is the senior member OF
the delegation from adjacent areas
and probably will be given the
heavier" committee assignments.
He served three terms as Delegate
and is now serving his second term
in the upper branch.
In point of service, Delegate Ro-
senberg, serving a fourth term. is
next in seniority. Delegates Charles
r. Fenwick of Arlington, Edgar r
Conner of Prince William and How
ard c. Rogers Of Loudoun are be-
ginning their second terms.
The legislative programs OF the
Arlington County Civic Federation
the Organized Women Voters Of
Arlington and other civic groups
besides proposals sponsored by
county oficials. comprise we'll over .
score of proposed bills which Mr.
Fenwick and Senator Medley are
studying.
More legislation not classified a
local but which likely will be placed
in the hands Of Senator Medley and
Mr.. Fenwick are recommendation.
for enacements to correct existing
conflicts and errors in the genera
laws of Virginia. 1t has been thu
custom Of Judge Walter T. Nc
Carthy Of the Arlington Circuit
. Court to observe "quirks' OF tht
law. He asks that new lax3s b
passed to eosrost tlas ssToek : ~