Evening star., 1942-02-15
Arlington Plan
1o|ncorporate
As City Studied
II Major Changes
Involved, c. Of c.
Report Says
BY ALEXANDER r. PRESTON.

BY ALEXANDER r. PRESTON.
Twelve major changes affecting
the entire community would result
from the possible incorporation of
Arlington County, Va. as a city,
according to a report submitted to
the board of directors of the Arling-
ton Chamber of Comerce, 1t was
learned last night.
The survey, made by the Legisla-
ton and Taxation Comittee, pre-
sented both advantages and disad-
vantages that would result from
incorporation Of the county. The
committee, headed by Thomas w.
Phillips, and including as members
Claude o. Thomas and Allen c..
Adams, made no attempt to rec
ommend for or against incorpora-
ton. Neither the chamber mem
bership nor the directors have taken
a stand on the question.
The report was drafted as an i'm
partial survey intended for public
enlightenment.
Because of Arlington's rapid
growth in recent years. some sources
believe its incorporation as a city
is necessity. Incorporation would
require approval of charter by the
Virginia General Assembly.
A summary of the committees
findings follows:
Characteristics.
Arlington is about % miles square,
with a population density of more
than $500 each square mile. No
other community in the State with
a comparable population density is
unincorporated as city of the
first class. Laws governing cities are
more flexible and adaptable to the
needs of an urban community than
are laws designed for the more
sparsely settled counties. If incor-
porated, Arlington would become
Virginia's fourth largest city.
Equalized Tax Burden.
Counties have only real estate and
personal property taxes as revenue
sources to carry on local govern
ment. First-class cities have many
other revenue sources. Principal
revenue sources in cities are Ii
cenSing of local businesses and indi-
viduals, a city license tax on auto
mobiles, tax on public utilities, fees
from fines and forfeitures and other
miscellaneous sources estimated to
produce about 100000 to 100000
annually in Arlington.
If it remains county the ma
jor portion of the cost of govern
ment would be borne by owners of
real est ate exclusively. Alexandria
assesses $3.50 for each $1OO value
for real estate. Arlington County
now assesses s270 per sl00 valua-
ton at higher assessed values.
Schools.
Not much difference would be
noted in the allotment of school
funds from the State, because such
allotments are based on average
daily attendance in counties and
cities.
Roads.
Incorporation would result in
losses from gasoline tax refunds.
Arlington has $3.50 miles Of State
primary roads for which it re-
ceived s134,834 from the State on
gasoline tax refunds in 1941.
AS city it would receive $500 for
maintenance and an additional 500
for construction for each mile of
the primary system. At $4,000 per
mile, it would receive s10l ,070 as a
city, a net loss of $33, ,76439.
While construction costs far ex-
ceeds the $500 allowed by the State
for each mile, the 1859 miles of
State primary roads are virtually
completed. Therefore the chief fu-
ture costs would be that of main
tenance.
The State Highway Commission
has spent S120,000 in the last three
years for new road construction in
ington-amounting to $4,000
year which would be lost by city.
City Auto Licenses.
State Tag Distributor Lyman Kel-
ley says there are $4,000 automo-
biles in Arlington. A city can levy
a tax against cars. If licensed at
So each about 100000 would be
raised and at SIS license fee, about
$4,000 would be raised.
Local Business Licenses.
About 1000 businesses are now
licensed by the State. In Alexandria,
where there is smaller population,
S1O5,389.77 was raised from this
source in 1941. Arlington could
probably raise more than s150,000.
Public Utilities Tax.
Cities may assess up to one-half
of / per cent of gross receipts of
public service corporations from
business done in cities, provided
there be deducted the amount Of
the license tax to operate in CITY,
or franchise tax. Amount of public
utility gross receipts is unknown but
because of expansion to meet needs
of growing community, these firms
would provide a fertile field Of
revenue. =
Margin of Indebtedness.
Arlington real estate assessment
will amount to about $51 600, 900.
(See ARLINGTON. Page Aid
neI