Evening star., 1949-10-23
Bill Proposes
Advisory Board
On Bond Issues
Arlington Delegate
Seeks Expert Aid in
Counties And Cities

Creation OF a state commission
to advise Virginia counties and
cities on bond issues is proposed
in a bill being prepared by j.
Maynard Magruder, Arlington
delegate to the Virginia General
Assembly.
Arlington's other delegate,
George Damn, at the same time
announced he is preparing legis-
lation to give the county a fire
trial board. Both Mr.. Magruder
and Mr.. Damn are Democratic
candidates for reelection.
Principal duty of a Commission
on Local Government proposed by
Mr.. Magruder would be to rec
ommend approval or disapproval
of issuance of bonds by counties
and cities.
Such a central agency will be
q necessity in the next five years
in light Of the huge school con-
struction program facing Virgins
localities" said Mr.. Magruder.
1T will be necessary to prevent
some communities from over
loading their debt structures dur
ing this building program"
Law Sets Limitations.
At present counties and cities
are prohibited under State law
from issuing bonds beyond a Ger
tain per cent of their real estate
assessed valuation.
Besides the need to finance
school construction. said Mr..
Magruder, many communities
also are compelled to build sewage
treatment facilities because State
law prohibits the emptying of
additional raw sewage into State
rivers and streams.
Undoubtedly bond issues will
be the source of funds to con-
struct sewage treatment plants, ,"
the Arlington legislator added.
Under the proposal which Mr..
Magruder plans to introduce at
the next General Assembly ses-
sion in January, any city or
county about to start q capital
Improvement program would
notify the Local Government
Commission. The commission
would study the proposed bond
issue and examine the financial
condition of the community and
make recommendations on bond
issue plans. II the commission
gives its approval. the issue would
be submitted in a referendum.
After approval of the voters, the
issue again would be turned over
to the commission, which would
assume all costs of preparing and
selling the bonds.
Veto Subject to Vote.
II the commission disapproved
q proposed bond issue, Mr.. Ma
gruder said the communities would
have the power to override the
commissions veto at a referen-
dunn.
But the people. before voting,
would have benefit of the COM
missions technical advice" Mr..
Magruder added.
Reckless issuance Of bonds
after the First World War led to
hardship and bankruptcy for
many American communities"
Mr.. Magruder said. THE Com
mission on Local Government,
acting in an advisory capacity,
could prevent a recurrence of
such incidents in Virginia"
The fire trial board proposed
by Mr.. Damn would be similar
to the police trial board, which
has authority to review cases
where police personnel are de-
NOTED, suspended or discharged.
Opposed by Potter.
Mr.. Magruder and Mr.. Damn
are opposed by I. Lee Potter, Re-
publican, in the November 8 elec-
ton.
Most political activity in Arling-
ton yesterday, however. centered
around the three-way County
Board race. Basil M. De Lash
mutt, Democrat. the present board
chairman, is opposed by Robert
w. Cox. non-partisan, and Jacob
Bechtel, independent.
Attacking Mr.. De Lashmutt's
record on the board, Mr.. Cox
charged that the county had
failed to borrow money at the
lowest possible interest rate and
does not carry adequate fire in
surance on county property.
. Procrastination Charged.
eff Mr.. De Lashmutt conducted
his personal business in
the same way he has run the
county's affairs" said Mr.. Cox,
"he would have been bankrupt
10 years ago."
Reed K. Pond, president of the
Citizens Committee for School
Improvement. asked voters to
examine Mr.. De Lashmutt's rec
ord on schools. 'They will find It
a record of penny -pinching pro-
crastination," he added.
z Mr.. De Lashmutt, meanwhile,
answered his critics by citing
progress made in county govern
ment during his last four years
on the board.
He said the board has used its
limited funds wisely in procuring
needed highway development,
many sidewalks were being built.
500 street lights have been in
stalled, and q county incinerator
is under construction. He added
that a number Of new Fairgrounds
were under construction, and the
courthouse was being enlarged.
Virginia TrioI Justices
Elect J. |. Lundrum
BY the Associated Press
& RICHMOND. Va. Oct. 22-J L.