Evening star., 1947-04-13
Arlington Board Acts
To Include Bonds
In Vote May Il
By Robert c. Rollinqs

Y s5 4
The Arlington County Board yes
terday acted to bring referenda
on bond issues for general capital
improvements and for schools to a
vote on May 81. the date already set
for a referendum on the question
of the method of selecting school
board members.
The Board scheduled for public
hearing on the proposed county bond
issue at pm. April % and at the
same time revealed the amount
tentatively agreed on in Board con-
ferences is 5000, 900. This is sub
ject to change, 1t was pointed out, as
a result of sentiment which may be
expressed by citizens at the public
hearing.
A joint meeting will be held with
the School Board. 1t was agreed,
to coordinate the plans of the two
groups. The School Board already
has held public hearing on a bond
issue for school improvements and
has indicated 1t has been waiting
for the County Board to act on the
bond issue for general county i'm
|provements.
Commonwealth Attorney Law
renee w. Douglas told the board
yesterday that if Circuit Court Judge
Walter T. Mccarthy Is petitioned on
April 80 (the date suggested by the
board, there will be sufficient time
under State law for the Judge to
set the referenda for May n. Mr..
Douglas also said he thought the
Judge would be guided to q great
extent by the wishes OF the board IN
regard to the date.
Civic Groups Favor Date.
The boards action followed receipt
of a letter from the League OF
Women Voters of Arlington and
Alexandria, urging May n for the
vote on bond issue. The League
said 1t had made the same re-
quest of the School Board.
1--WE are well aware Of the cost
and inconvenience involved in the
calling of special elections, though
we agree entirely with the urgency
Of the issues" the League stated.
Special elections add to the expense
of county administration and make
great demands on its citizens. A
single, special election, presenting
three related issues to the voters at
the same time, will have real ad-
vantages."
Representatives of the Civic Fed
Grafton appeared at the meeting and
also asked that efforts be made to
set the bond issue election for
May AZ. .
DR.. Oscar r. LeBeau Of the Fed
Grafton told the board that the
voters had been looking for an cleo
ton during the first quarter OF the
year, as was indicated last fall by
q Joint County Board-School Board
Committee.
"The matters should come up be-
fore the people begin to take sum-
mer vacations" DR.. LeBeau said In
warning against any further delay.
Maps Will Be Available.
Before setting the date OF the
public hearing, the Board learned
from Acting County Manager A. T.
Lundberg that maps illustrating
improvements scheduled to be made
with bond proceeds, would be avail
able. Mr.. Lundberg also told the
board that a pamphlet giving In
formation on Arlington's finances,
bonded Indebtedness and on financ-
ing costs would be ready for public
distribution prior to the public
hearing.
The board also instructed Mr..
Douglas to take the necessary action
to sell a $150000 bond issue for play
grounds which was authorized IN
a referendum about three years ago.
The county has spent approx
mately $4,000 to date and has
acquired five playground sites, ac-
cording to G.. l.. Kinnier, County
Planning Engineer. The $4,000 was
borrowed from county funds and
will be replaced when the bond
issue is sold, it was pointed out.
Mr.. Kinnier said the county plans
to ACQUIRE two or three more play
ground sites.
On receipt OF a letter from the
Northern Virginia Builders Asso-