Evening star., 1950-02-12
Arlington Board
Reiterates Stand
On Nevins Tract
Asks Return to Private
Owner; Bill Expanding
Parks Unit Opposed

Nevius tract to private ownership
was renewed by the Arlington
County Board yesterday.
The board also went on record
as opposing a bill broadening the
scope of activities Of the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. The bill would extend
the commissions jurisdiction into
Maryland and Virginia in the case
of Federal developments.
It would expand the agency to
include one member named by the
Governor of Virginia and one by
the Maryland Governor.
This was termed insufficient"
representation by county board
members. They also objected to
what they termed "obtuse" defini-
tions of the commissions power
and authority under the new meas
ure.
Mrs. Florence Cannon, while
among the objectors, asserted the
bill is ''move toward regional
cooperation in consideration of
further Federal developments"
Legislation Asked.
In it saction on the Nevius tract,
the board asked Representative
Smith. Democrat, of Virginia, to
introduce legislation which would
declare the land surplus to the
needs Of the Government"
The 25-acre tract at Lee boule-
ward and Arlington Ridge road
overlooks the Lincoln Memorial
and the Mall across the Potomac.
1t was acquired by the Govern
ment through condemnation pro-
ceedings at cost of 81 800, 900 as
q site for a veterans hospital.
A number Of objections have
been raised to building a hospital
there and other sites are under
consideration, including Soldiers
Home here. One of the objections
is that the property adjoins Ar
lington Cemetery on the South.
The county board recently
asked Representative Smith and
Senators Byrd and Robertson,
Democrats, of Virginia, to ask the
Veterans Administration to de-
clare the property surplus. Sena-
tor Robertson wrote the board
that theVA still Is considering 1t
as a hospital site.
May Be Sought for Cemetery.
Representative Smith, it was
disclosed yesterday. told the board
that In the event VA declares the
land surplus, other Government
agencies have the first right to 1t.
The board would like to see 1t
sold to private enterprise in hopes
it would be developed into reve-
nue-producing project.
"I am fearful of the possibility
that, as soon as the Nevius tract
is declared surplus" Representa-
tive Smith declared, "the War
Department will ask to have it
transferred and made a part of
Arlington Cemetery"
Under the circumstances" he
said, 81 do not think we could do
any more about 1t at this mo-
ment." -
Mrs. Cannon, however, moved
request of the legislation which
would require sale to private en-
terprise. Her motion was seconded
by Board Member Alfred e. Fris-
bic.
In other actions, the board
called for a breakdown on traffic
violators, voted to condemn land
known as the Fort Scott site"
for a recreation area, and set a
final" public hearing on the pro-
posed master zoninz plan.
To Cintinue Fare Rise Fight.
The board also voted to con-
tinue to fight a fare increase for
the Washington. Virginia & Mary
land Coach Co. (Aronld Line)
and asked Commonwealth's At
torney Denman T. Rucker to pre-
pare an ordinance which would
prohibit casting" of mud on
county streets.
During a discussion on protec-
ton for school crossings, Board
Chairman Daniel A. Dugan de-
clared "it is the understanding
of the board that we want the
police to bear down on traffic
violators." County Manager A. T.
Lundberg earlier had asserted
"the time has come" for such
action.
The "Fort Scott Site" long
sought by Aurora Hills residents,
is on South Twenty-eight street,
off Fort Scott drive. Board men,
bers described 1t as one of the
most expensive tracts of land in
the county.
Attempts by the county to buy
four acres of the tract have been
met by a counter -offer from the
owners to sell the entire II acres
for $4,000. The condemnation
was ordered after a delegation of
residents urged the acquisition.
Hearing Set Friday.
The hearing on the new master
zoning plan will be held at s pm
Friday in the Thomas Jefferson
Junior High School. The plan is
scheduled for adoption at the Feb
ruary 25 meeting of the board. The
hearing was urged by the Arling-
ton Civic Federation.
Attorney Lester R. Conley was
instructed to file an exception
to a recommendation of an Inter-
state Commerce Commission ex-
aminer that the Arnold Line be
granted scent general fare
boost. This automatically will de-