Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-08
Arlington Board
Votes 70 Oppose
State Sales Tax
Bond Proposal
For Improvements
Also Voted Down

On motion of board member
Daniel A. Dugan, the board voted to
inform the Virginia Advisory Leg
islative Council, now studying pos
sible new sources of revenue, Of It's
stand.
Mr.. Dugan declared a sales tax
would work hardship on persons
in the middle and lower income
brackets. He declared merchants,
particularly those in Arlington.
would suffer because there is no
sales tax in the District of Columbia.
New revenues could be raised by
increasing the corporation income
tax; raising the upper bracket per-
sonal income tax, and placing real
estate assessments on higher than
40 per cent basis, he asserted.
Civic Group In Opposition.
The Arlington Civic Federation
opposed a sales tax Tuesday night.
Such a tax has been mentioned in
hearings held by the council as
source of revenue for schools.
The board yesterday also voted
down a proposal to place before
the voters a bond issue not to ex-
coed S1,4O0,000 to finance certain
capital improvements.
It also took preliminary steps to
include employees of elected officials
In the county retirement plan; re-
ferred to the county manager Tor
study and report plan OF the
Westover Recreational Association
to provide a community house and
playground, and started plans to
widen Washington boulevard and
extend Fairfax drive in the Claren-
don section.
The vote on the bond issue pro-
posal followed bitter debate in
which board members literally
shouted in each others faces. The
matter was brought up by Mr.. Du-
gan, who proposed that the board
instruct Acting County Manager
A. Lundberg to prepare the nee
essary papers for bond issue to
cover the cost of an incinerator,
courthouse additions and a shop
building at the county property
yard.
Asks Separate Listing.
Mr.. Dugan proposed that the
three items be listed separately in
stead of in one sum as in the case
Of the $5,150,000 proposed bond is
sue which was rejected by the vot-
ers on May 81. The items he pro-
posed also we're in the bond issue
which was voted down. The in
Generator was estimated to cost
$3.50 900: additions to the court
house. 100000 and the shop build
ing. S150,000. s--s.ss~~Q-
Mr.. Dugan further asked the board
to request the Circuit Court judge
to set the bond issue election for
the same day as the Democratic
primary, August 5, in order to save
the expense Of a separate election.
F. Freeland Chew, member OF
the board, objected to the bonds,
contending that the incinerator can
be built out of current revenues,
starting next year. He also objected
to the proposal that it be held on
the same day as the Democratic
primary because, he said the Demo-
Gratis would then decide the issue
rather than the entire electorate.
Mr., Chew said such move could
wipe the Democratic party off The
map" Commonwealth Attorney
Lawrence w. Douglas said he did
not believe the Judge would set the
bond issue election on the primary
day. Mr.. Dugan, replying to Mr..
Chew, said he was not trying to
sabotage the Democratic party" but
merely trying to get the bond issue
voted on as soon as possible.
Calls 1t Immature
Member Lee Lloyd said he felt the
proposal was immature" and Harry
w, Cuppett, board member, de-
clared the board would be all wet"
in proposing another bond issue
Mr.. pugan rephrased his motion
so that the court would be requested
to set the referendum on the date
of the general election in November
and Chairman Basil M. DeLashnlutt
seconded it. Mr.. DeLaShmutt de-
clared the Improvements are ur-
gently needed and said the open
dump on Four Mile run is
the biggest menace to health OF this
community and of Alexandria
The vote was 30, with Mr.. Chew,
Mr.. Lloyd and MI. Cuppett voting
no.
Charles R. Fenwick. vice chairman
of the Westover Recreational Asso-
citation, told the board the 300
member group which has started a
community recreation program for
boys and girls, had an offer from
M. A. Mace, Arlington real estate
man, of plot of ground upon which
Mr.. Mace also would erect a 100 by
20 foot community building of the
Quonset hut type.
Mr.. Fenwick and Charles Dunphy,
chairman of the association. asked
the board to permit the erection OF
the Quonset hut, now restricted by
ordinance to manufacturing and
business districts. They explained
that adjoining property owners had
no objection to the building.
This is an opportunity to do
something in tangible way to off,
set juvenile delinquency. Mr.. Fen
wick told the board.
Two in Favor.
Mr.. DeLashmutt and Mr.. Dugan
declared they would favor amending
the ordinance to permit the build
ing. The site is bounded by North
Eleventh, Kentucky and Kenebec
streets and Fairfax drive.
The board referred to Mr. Lund-
berg for study of construction costs
of streets plan for widening
Washington boulevard to four lanes
between Highland street and the
Clarendon traffic circle. The plan
also calls for development of Fair
fax drive from North Highland
street to- Washington boulevard.
The Fairfax drive extension would
pass between Penny's Department
Store and the Medical Center
Building and would connect with
the boulevard between Hudson
street and the circle. Rights-of-way
must be obtained and an appropri-
alton made before actual work can