Evening star., 1950-01-04
Federation Asks
Non-Party Vote
In Arlington
Revenue Committee
Wins Star Trophy
For Work During '4o

For Work During '49
Non-partisan election of County
Board members every two year.
| and non-partisan balloting for the
School Board was advocated last
night by the Arlington Civic
Federation.
The group expressed its views in
adopting legislative program to
be referred to the county delega-
ton to the General Assembly. The
lawmaking body convenes in bien-
NAL session next Wednesday.
Meeting at the Lyon Park Com
munity House, the federation also
presented The Evening Star Tro-
ply to its Revenue and Expend-
1tures Committee, headed by Rob-
ert w. Cox, for civic endeavor in
1949.
h Committee Praised for Work.
A citation by Federation Pres
ident T. Oscar Smith declared the
committee, throughout the year
- has consistently presented
a clear and concise picture
OF the financial situation Of the
county"
The seven-member committee
also made a most extensive study
OF the Arlington County budget
- and presented. its findings
at special meeting of the
federation"
- this meeting, which was
presided over by the chairman of
the committee in a most MASTER
Iul manner, enabled the delegates
to grasp the fundamentals of a
very complex subject and to in
tellengtly formulate the stand of
the Federation on a matter which
is probably the one most vital to
every citizen of the county"
Plan Brings Lengthy Debate.
The committee, the citation re-
lated, presented the Federation's
viewpoint before our county Off
ciais at the several public hear
ngs in a most energetic and able
manner"
Announcement Of the selection
OF the committee for the annual
award was made at the December
meeting of the Federation.
The resolution calling for a ref
erendum on nonpartisan elections
for the County and School Boards
was adopted only after lengthy
debate on a recommendation of
the Legislation and Legal Action
Committee. The recommendations
were presented by Committee
Chairman Malcolm D. Miller.
& AS recommended to the Fed
eration. the measure also asked
for legislation authorizing a ref
erendum on non-partisan prima-
Hes. It provided that successful
primary candidates would compete
tna rtln-of election in November.
VI Election Question Clarified.
j It was reduced to the final form
on motion of Mr.. Smith, who left
the chair temporarily to present
his motion and supporting argu-
ments.
On the question of biennial elec-
ton Of the county board, the Fed
Grafton asked that two of the five
positions be filled in one year and
three in the other. The balloting
would be in odd-numbered years
the same as for School Board
members-under the proposal.
At present, two members are
elected one year and one each
for the next three years. All
terms are four years.
Il Last nights committee recon-
mendation was for the county
board elections in eyen-numbered
years, but this was changed when
the Federation adopted an amend
ment by Harley M. Williams.
Women Juror Plan Favored. J.
The Federation also went on
record as favoring legislation pro-
viding permissive jury service for
women; giving Arlington the same
rights as cities in granting utility
franchises; "reconciling', State
and Federal income tax proceed
ures, and requiring real estate re-
assessments every four years.
In addition, as part of its future
legislative program. the group
passed a resolution requesting the
County Board to appoint a city
charter commission of at least Is
members to recommend revisions
of the document enacted by the
Legislature in 1946. The charter
Isl for use if and when the county
Incorporates.
Members of the County Board
and County Manager A. T. Lund-
berg spoke briefly to the Fed
Grafton. -.