Evening star., 1947-01-11
Bill Asks New
Arlington Board
Election Plan /,
Sets Up Nonportisun
System; Hospital
Measure Offered
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff cofrespondenf

RICHMOND, Jan. 1.-THE Gen
eral Assembly today paused in its
special session for a week END recess
after having received bills to author
ize nonpartisan elections of Airing
ton County Board members and a
change in the methods of naming
the School Board.
The latest Northern Virginia leg
islation was introduced yesterday by
Delegates j. Maynard Magruder and
George Damn of Arlington.
At'the same time, State Senator
Andrew w. Clarke, Alexandria and
Fairfax, introduced new measure,
bearing Gov. 'Tuck's Endorsement, to
provide for licensing and inspection
of hospitals. The legislation is part
of the health program being pushed
by Charles r. Fenwick. East Falls
Church, legislative chairman of the
Virginia Health and Welfare Coun-
Gil.
Liquor Tax Hearing Monday.
Meanwhile Chairman Samuel
Rodgers of the House Finance Com
mittee set 3 pm. Monday as the
hour for a public hearing on the
Whitehead bill to levy 10 per cent
tax on wines and liquors to finance
an expanded teacher salary increase
program. The Assembly will recon-
vene at noon Monday.
Arlington and Alexandria appar-
emily emerged victors in an annex
alton controversy which developed
earlier this week between represent
atives of those communities and the
Fairfax County delegate.
The House Committee on Coun-
ties, Cities and Towns yesterday
killed two bills relating to the So
called Arlington County Manager
Act. Delegate Edwin w. Lynch, Fair
fax, sought to gain immunity from
further annexation of his county by
giving the Fairfax voters an oppor-
tunity to adopt the county manager
plan.
Under existing law, any county
with Arlington's form of govern
ment cannot be annexed. The
theory behind Mr. Lynch's bill was
that he would protect his county
from further encroachments by
Alexandria or proposed Arlington
City if Fairfax adopted the county
manager plan.
Teacher Bill Advanced.
Conteracting the Lynch bill, how
ever, was one by Mr.. Magruder and
Mr.. Damn which would have limit
ed annexation to counties with the
manager form of government which
have an area of more than go
square miles. 49,
The Senate Finance Committee
| yesterday approved Gov. Tuck s
teacher salary increase bill sub
stantially in the same form as in
troduced The House School and
Colleges Committee earlier had ap-
proved similar bill but amended
it so that an additional $4,000
would be appropriated.
The House Labor Committee also
reported two labor bills which con-
stitute the second half of major
legislation for which the present
General Assembly was called into
special session. One amendment
was made, however.
Instead of penalizing utilities 10
per cent of their profits during the
period the State assumes control,
the bill, as amended by the House
Committee. would give the State
Is per cent.
May Pralong Session.
The labor legislation will con-
front members when they return
to Richmond Monday and may pro-
long the session because of divergent
opinion.
Gov. Tuck's recommendation for
enactment of the hospital licensing
and inspection measure comes after
a great deal of ground work by
Northern Virginians. Mr.. Fenwick
has repeatedly urged passage of
laws to improve State welfare and
health and was in Richmond earlier
this week to confer with the Gov
on this specific bill.
State Senator William D. Med
ley, Arlington; Senator Clarke, and
Delegates Magruder, Damn and w.
Selden Washington of Alexandria
outlined the hospital program to
the Governor Immediately before
the Chief Executives recommends
ton came down.
In addition to improving stand
ards in State hospitals, the bill
is designed to make Virginia elig-
ible to participate in a Federal
grant of $2,500,0OO for hospital i'm
provementS.
Also introduced yesterday was a
bill by Senator Clarke 10 authorize
Fairfax County citizens to vote on
the question of issuing bonds to es-
tablish central water supply and
lateral sewer lines. 1t would re-
enact a measure approved at the last
regular session but would extend the
time for redemption from "a to so
years.
Run-Off Election Provided.
BY terms of the Magruder Damn
bill for nonpartisan election of
Arlington County board members,
the system could be nullified at airy
time either political party nomi-
mates candidate.
The legislation is based or the
lpremise that nonpartisan elections
may be held eff no party canGi-
date shall have qualified under the
general elections laws"
A run-of election-amountin to
an elimination contest-rculd be
held in lieu Of a party primary.
The county board nonpartisan elec-
ton would be held two days after
the regular primary.
The reason for this, sponsors ex-
planned. is that regular election ma
chinery would be ses Up tor conduct
the primary election on the first
Tuesday in August and non -parti-
san run-of election would be con-
Quoted by officials appointed with
out regard to poiicieai affiliation.
In other words, both Democratic
and Republican officials would have
charge of voters registration lists on
the regular primary DAY, and the
a.,