Evening star., 1949-09-18
PrinceWi|Iiam
Vote Slated on
Executive Setup
Referendum Tuesday
Is Expected to Draw
Under 1000 Ballots
By Robert c. RoIIines
Stcr Stoff Correspondent .

MANASSAS, Va. Sept. IT,
Prince William voters will ballot
Tuesday on changing their form
Of government an issue which
has raised sharp differences in the
county.
Opponents of the proposed
change predict it will be defeated
overwhelmingly. Proponents feel
it will be adopted by a close vote.
Some observers say voters will
defeat it because they do not
understand the question.
Most people doubt that as many
as half Of the approximately 1000
voters will participate in the ref
erendum which will be held from
$50 am. to 7:30 pm. EST, at
the regular polling places.
i. The six-member Board of Su-
pervisors on July voted to petit
ton Circuit Judge Paul E. Brown
to call the referendum. Then, on
September 6, the board voted to
ask the court to rescind the order.
Both votes were split. Judge Brown
said he could not rescind the order
because it had become final under
the law.
Supervisor, Resigned.
After the September 6 vote.
Supervisor Wheatley M. johnson
resigned. A leading proponent of
the change, he declared the action
had put the board in IAN utterly
undefendable position"
A comparison of the present
form of government under which
the county is run by the Board
of Supervisors, with the proposed
form under which a county execu-
tive, named by the board. would
be the administrative head. has
been given wide distribution by
the County Planning Commission.
Adoption of the county execu-
tive form of government would
result in a number of changes in
the present government includ-
ing the abolition of the elective
positions of county treasurer and
county commissioner of revenue.
Under the proposed form. the
Office of coroner, now filled by
appointment by the circuit judge.
would be abolished and his duties
would be performed by the Com
monwealth's attorney who would
employ physicians for inquests.
Supervisors to Set Pay.
The Board of Supervisors would
name the County School Board
for an indefinite term. Under the
present system, the board is ap-.
pointed by a school Trustee Elec-
toral Board named by the circuit
Judge. The supervisors also would
name the Electoral Board, now
appointed by the judge.
The new setup would abolish
the Office of county surveyor, now
named by the Judge, and make
possible appointment Of the
County Health Officer by the
Board of Supervisors rather than
by the State Board of Health.
The law. however. permits reten-
ton of the present system If the
supervisors prefer.
The pay of all elective officials
and employees would be set, within
legal limits. by the Board OF Su-
pervisors rather than by the State
Compensation Board.
H. Thornton Davies, an attor-
ney and secretary of the County
Electoral Board. is in the fore
front of those fighting the change.
Sees More Expense.
"It would just mean more ex-
pense," Mr.. Davies declares.
Taxes and expenses are bound
to be higher"
He Also believes "the people
should have the right to elect all
the county officers"
Mr.. johnson declares nobody
can tell whether taxes or expenses
will be raised or lowered"
THE main thing about the
change would be to head up the
county government" he says.
rIinir fnr Wall Rahias'