Evening star., 1944-02-18
bill Authorizing Vote
On Alexandra Rule
To Be Reported Soon
Measure Is Amended
To Permit Use Of 1943
And 1914 Poll Lists
BY = Star stan Correspondent.

oy QUAR- StaH Correspondent.
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 18.-The
House Committee on Counties, Cities
and Towns was expected to report
out bill next week to permit a
referendum on changing Alexan-
dria's form of government following
a public hearing on the measure
yesterday.
Delegate w. Selden Washington,
alexandria, sponsor of the bill,
cleared the bills path with an
amendment designed to eliminate
some OF the objections Of referendum
opponents. His amendment would
permit use Of both 1943 and 1914
voting lists, since 1t has been claimed
that 5000 Alexandrians have been
disenfranchised by tardy payment Of
poll taxes.
Former Delegate Maurice N.
Rosenberg, chief spokesman for the
opposition, argued against a refer
endum at time when large num-
Der Of residents are in the armed
forces and unable to vote. He felt
also. he said, that Alexandrians had
not been given enough time to con-
slider a matter which was brought
to light only last month, after the
deadline had passed for payment of
poll taxes to permit voting in the
June general election and on March
70, the date set for the referendum.
'Hatched Too Hastily
His sentiments were supported by
Loren Mccullough, representing the
Alexandria Central Labor Union.
who said the bill had been matched
too hastily"
Second Ward Councilman Paul
Delaney, one Of the strongest oppo-
nents of the bill and of the proposed
change from ward system to an at
large council. suggested that the
move had been planned by a small
minority who are dissatisfied with
present members of the Council
Other members of the delegation
opposing the bill are Charles C.
Carlin, jr., publisher of the Alexan-
dria Gazette; Mrs. Ernest Demaine
secretary of the Sixth Ward Citizens
Association: Mr.. Demaine, and
George Nails.
The bill was championed by Rob-
ert Whitton, administrator Of the
Alexandria Hospital, former pres
ident OF the Chamber OF Commerce,
and chairman Of the Citizens Com
mittee. whose petitions to Mr..
Washington initiated the bill. Other
advocates are Stanley King, United
States commissioner for the East
ern District of Virginia and presi-
dent OF the Rotary Club, and Mar
tin Greene, business manager of
the Chamber OF Commerce.
Mr.. Wilton said similar petitions
were circulated In 1912. but no bill
was introduced at the time because
OF Mr.. Rosenbergs unwillingness
to sponsor it.
Calls Ward System Sectional
Mr.. Whitton said the ward system
Is sectional and undemocratic In
allowing each voter a voice only In
the selection Of one ward and three
Nv A0A 81 SOuAiSAAllCII, Vi 1OuI OuL
OF nine members Of the governing
body.
He stated that the natural growth
OF the city. In addition to future
annexation. would create a situation
whereby so many additional wards
would become necessary that the
governing body would become un-
wieldy.
Charging that the opposition is
composed of some of the incumbent
ward councilmen, Mr.. Rosenberg
and the Sixth Ward Citizens As
ISOLATION, he asked why the ward
councilmen object to running at
large, If, as they claim, they repre-
sent the interest Of the city at large.
He added that the small vote
cast in the Democratic primaries
and in general elections of ward
councilman, when compared with
the comparatively large vote when
the at-large members are chosen.
indicates the need for an at-large
system as q more representative
form of government