Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-12
Lynch 10 Offer Bill
To Prevent Annexinq
OF Fairfax Areas
By Alex R. Preston
Sfor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, Va, Feb. l2.-With
an eye toward Arlington's possible
Incorporation, as well as Alexan-
dria's potential threat of annexing
more of his county's high revenue
producing areas, Delegate Edwin w.
Lynch of Fairfax today will sponsor
legislation making more difficult the
institution Of annexation proceed
ings against his county.
Mr.. Lynch said that when the
House convenes today he expects to
have completed an amendment to
the annexation laws SO as to re-
quire the consent of so per cent of
the qualified voters participating in
"a referendum within the areas to
be absorbed by Alexandria or Ar
lington, if the latter becomes a city.
His bill will be introduced on the
same day the House Committee on
Counties, Cities and Towns holds q
public hearing on another bill re-
lating to annexation procedure. The
committee will study provisions OF
legislation by Delegate j. j. Will
liams, Henrico, prohibiting the an
nexation of territory which consti-
tutes 10 per cent of a county's as
sessed real property values or brings
to 10 per cent the total of such areas
taken away within the previous 10
years.
Measure Faces Fight.
Mr.. Lynch's legislation probably
will 60 to the same committee which
has among its members two repre-
sentatives of the localities specific
ally aimed at-Delegates j. May
nard Magruder, Arlington, and w.
Selden Washington, Alexandria.
Even with Mr.. Magruder listed as a
county member" there are nine out
of the II members representing
cities.
Each session of the General As
sembly within recent years has seen
a continuing battle over annexation
between forces representing urban
areas and those from rural commu-
mites.
When the 1916 session convened
the League of Virginia Municipali-
ties and the League of Virginia
Counties repeatedly had reached a
truce" and decided to steer clear
of the controversial subject during
the present session. Introduction
of Mr.. Williams bill, however, was
regarded as the starting gun" for
1946 and another bill since has been
introduced by Senator L. C. Bird,
Chesterfield and Henrico, to pro-
hibit cities with a bonded indebted
ness of 1875 per cent of real prop
erty values, from annexing terri
tory. His measure was aimed spe-
officially at Richmond.
Mr.. Lynch's bill is in response to a
resolution adopted by the Fairfax
County Board of Supervisors on
February s which declared grave
inequities" exist under present stat
utes, inasmuch as residents Of the
annexed territory have no voice
when the city institutes the pro-
ceedings. The supervisors expressed
the opinion such inequities should
be eradicated" and asked provision
to be made that majority Of those
voting in affected areas should
agree to the consolidation.
To Make Annexation Difficult.
When asked about this feature of
his bill, which will require approval
OF go per cent of the voters, the
Fairfax delegate replied:
Quite frankly, I am attempting
to make the annexation of our
highly developed areas adjoining
Alexandria and Arlington, if the
latter becomes q city, reasonably
dimcult. Naturally, the areas in|
which the other jurisdictions would
be interested represent probably our
highest revenue producing territory
from the standpoint Of assessed
valuation Of real estate.
Z II believe approval OF so per cent
of the voters within such areas is q
reasonable requirement. However,
ii other members of the Legislature
who must approve the bill. feel that