Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-02-04
Bitter Debate Seen
On Virginia Bill 10
Defer Annexations
Foirfox County Board
Calls on Medley and
Fenwick for Support
BY :. Staff Correspondent Of The Star

/
RICHMOND, Feb. A bitter de-
bate on the floors Of both houses
of the General Assembly was indi-
Gated on legislation which would
postpone all annexation proceedings
until 1914, when the House General
Laws Committee yesterday reported
the proposal by an 8-to-5 vote.
Endorsement of the proposed law
was indicated by the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors, which tele-
graphed its vigorous support" Of
the bill to Senator William D. Med
ley, who represents Fairfax Coun-
| ty, and Delegate Charles R. Fen
wick of Arlington County.
The measure was introduced by
Delegate Ben Chapman of Roanoke
i County, with a plea that its enact
ment would aid national defense.
1t would postpone annexation pro-
ceedings until 80 days after the
next session of the General As
sembly. Roanoke is now seeking to
annex a portion Of Roanoke County.
Board Acts.
Fairfax County supervisors be-
came interested when it was made
known that the bill might affect
proposed condemnation proceedings
which the town of Falls Church is
planning to institute to enlarge its
territory in that county. Declaring
the bill is vital to the county," the
supervisors told Senator Medley and
Mr.. Fenwick they urgently request
that you vigorously support" the leg
islation.
Mr.. Chapman sought to overcome
strong opposition to the bill by
agreeing to amendments which he
said would permit pending annexa-
ton suits involving the cities Of
Richmond and Bristol to proceed
unhampered.
His national defense" plea was
based on the theory that such pro-
ceedings involving local govern
ments would tend to retard civilian
participation in the emergency pro:
gram.
Delegate Maurice D. Rosenberg of
| Alexandria, a member of the Cen
eral Laws Committee, scoffed at the
national defense argument and was
among those who voted against re-
porting the bill out of committee.
Because Fairfax County will not
be represented in the House OF
Delegates until Robert J. McCand-
lish's election yesterday is certified,
the kilograms received here were
placed before the committee.
The House Finance Committee re-
ported out q bill by Mr.. Fenwick to
abolish the recordation fee for filing
deeds of trusts and mortgages on
church properties. This bill Is the
result of a fee charged Ashton G.
Jones when he filed a deed Of trust
for the Westover Baptist Church In
Arlington recently.
Two bills by Senator Medley have
been favorably acted on by the SEN
ate General Laws Committee. They
were among four measures the
! Arlingtonian introduced for the
commission on uniformity Of legis-
lation.
One on Simultaneous Death.
The first bill reported was designed
"the simultaneous death act and
provides that in the event OF the
death at the same instant Of man
and wife, the estate of the two would
be divided so per cent to his rela-
tives and so per cent to her relatives.
The second bill makes statutory
provision for a condition that is now
governed by common law. The bill
would authorize refunds to persons
who have entered into contracts and
made part payments. but who have
been denied title and possession be-
cause of casualty or eminent domain.
In the event possession and title has
been realized by purchasers prior to
casualty or loss, then the purchaser
| would l0Se