Evening star., 1950-10-22
Arlington Asks
Congressional.
Redistricting
Addition in State
Legislature Also
Sought by County

The Arlington County Board
yesterday urged special session
of the Virginia General Assembly
to redistrict the 9th Congressional
District and to give the county
additional members in the State
legislature.
The General Assembly is not
scheduled to meet again until
January, 1852. The County Board
asked that Gov. Battle call the
special session.
A resolution, approved by a 80
vote, with Democrats F. Freeland
Chew and Alfred E. Frisbie dis
senting, asks the establishment Of
new Congressional District; in
creasing Arlington's delegation in
the House of Delegates from two
to four, and study of redistrict-
ing for the State Senate.
Proposals to Be Advertised.
In other actions. the board
agreed to advertise three proposed
ordinances for public hearings.
The measures would establish a
county civil service system, set up
a department of real property as
sessment and ban drinking or pos
session of alcohol on school prop
erty or public Fairgrounds.
The board also approved,
amendments to the retirement
ordinance which would permit
policemen to retire voluntarily
after rs years of service. The
amendments also make eligible
for the retirement plan constitu-
tional officers with 10 or more
years service, and non-teacher
employees of the School Board.
The resolution requesting new
9th District boundaries cited pre-
liminary census figures showing
the county's population increased
in the last 10 years from 81 1000 to
1876, 900.
THE people of Arlington are
seriously under-represented in the
House" the resolution declared.
Creation of a new district of no
more than about $50, 900" was sug-
gested. Present population of the
9th District, which stretches from
Arlington to Charlottesville, is
estimated at 100000.
Average Is Cited.
The board said the average
population of other election dis
tricts in the State is approxi-
mately $4,000.
Establishment of the civil serv-
ice system was suggested by Daniel
A. Dugan, board chairman. A
three-member commission would
be appointed to administer the
ordinance.
The proposed department of
real property would be headed by
a director to be; appointed by
the board for an indefinite term.
An assessment review board, con-
slsting of three freeholders, would
be appointed annually.
The director would be under
the supervision of the county
manager "in matters dealing with
general administration" but Shall
exercise independent Judgment in
assessment functions"
Unanimously Recommended.
The director would be respons-
ible for making assessments be-
tween the re-assessment, made
by the Quadrennial General Re-
assessment Board, appointed by
the circuit judge.
At present. interim assessments
are made by the commissioner of
revenue, an elected official.
The proposed ordinance was
prepared and recommended unan-
imously by the boards Advisory
Committee on Fiscal Affairs.
The boards action banning all
cohol on school or play areas was
taken after a number of disturb
ances during athletic events at
Washington-Lee High School.
The board offered to buy the
County Health Department build
ing from the Federal Government
for $4,000. MIR. Dugan estimated
the present value of the building
at $160,000. He said the Federal
Government is willing to sell but
the price has not been agreed on,
Ali NJ p IL us -