Evening star., 1948-03-30
Arlington Board
TO Advertise
25c Tax Boost
3-2Vote Is Protection
For County if Extra
School Fund Is Needed

For County if Extra
School Fund Is Needed
The Arlington County Board to-
day paved the way for possible as
cent tax rate increase for school
purposes.
At a special session, the board
voted, 3 to 2, to advertise a tenta-
tive tax rate of $3.50 on $l0o of as
sessed evaluation. The present rate
is $3.25.
Board members emphasized that
they acted solely for protection" of
themselves and the county in event
they determine additional school
revenues are imperative. Under
the motion, the board is not bound
to change the present tax rate, but
could increase it in any amount up
to rs cents.
Chew Opposes Motion.
The motion by Mrs. Florence
Cannon was supported by Chair
man Daniel A. Dugan and Alfred
2. Frisbie. 1t was opposed by F.
F'reeland Chew and Basil De LASH
mutt.
Mr.. Chew contended that the
school budget need not be as large
as proposed by the school board
and therefore it would be unnec.
essary to raise the levy. Mrs. Cam
non argued that 1t would be safer to
advertise the higher Agure so the
boards hands would not be tied.
She and Mr.. Dugan said it was
probable that the full increase
would not be needed.
This was the final day on which
the board could act on the motion
to advertise. Its final decision win
come late next month
Record Budget Wins Support.
The adjourned session followed
a meeting last night at which the
record Arlington School and County
Budget appeared to win support Of
majority of $50 persons.
Most OF those Who spoke indi-
Gated willingness to pay more
taxes which the school board bee
lieveS necessary to finance the sys.
tenn in the 194S-49 school year.
There were some objections to the
larger budgets-$4,587,813 for the
county government and $3,9l7,533
for schools-but these centered
largely around opposition to any
increase in the property tax.
50-Cent Raise Proposed.
The School Boards proposal calls
for increasing the rate by SO cents
while County Manager A. r. Lund-
berg has based his tentative budget
on the present rate.
County Board Chairman Dugan
explained last night that there are
several courses open to the county
board. which must set the rate.
The needs can be met by in
creasing the property tax rate, Mr..
Dugan told the meeting, or business
and auto license taxes can be i'm
posed under authority granted by
the recent session Of the General
Assembly.
Chairman Barnard Joy of the
School Board said the proposed bud
|get would help eliminate overcrowd-
ing, place first and second grades on
a full-day basis, provide professional
supervisors in several fields, catch
up on maintenance and institute
salary benefits for teachers.
Budget Cut Suggested.
Representatives of the Arlington
Civic Federation, presented a pro-
gram calling for a slight reduction
In the school budget and an in
crease in the county budget. With
this, they submitted a revenue plan
which called for a 25-cent increase
in the tax rate and imposition of
the auto and business taxes.
Ashton C. Jones, Arlington real
estate man, declared real estate Is
paying as much tax as it can. 1t
cannot be raised"
Others who expressed opposition
to any tax rise included Mrs. H. p.
Peyton, F. c. Wilson and Howard
B. Fields. former county sheriff.
A representative Of the Lyon Park
Citizens Association said the group
had gone on record as opposing any
tax increase.
In addition to more than a score
Of organizations and speakers who
indorsed the School Board budget,
there were a number of persons who
asked for increased funds for fire.
equipment and provision for
paid flremen at the Halls Hill COL
ored company.
Recreation Program Asked.
Among those speaking for the fire.
men were Millard P. Devine, James
Catterton, John Humphries, John
Paul Jones, Branch Clark and Mrs.
Mary Hicks. Mr.. Devine declared
that county firemen are under
trained" because the county gov
ernment has failed to provide q
promised drill tower.
Robert Reynolds of Harrington as
serted "the time has come for Ar
lington to run a real recreation pro-
gram" 4
Among groups requesting increased
library facilities, including branch
for the Westover area. were the
Walter Reed PTA and the Highland
Park-Overlee Knolls Citizens Asso-
citation.
Malcolm D. Miller. recently elect
ed chairman of the Arlington Better
Government League, asked that the
County Board include funds In the
new budget for employment OF at
least part-time rate expert to
assist the Public Utilities Commis-
sion. The request also was made
by the Civic Federation.
Tired Drunk Poys