Evening star., 1950-11-03
0. |. Hirst Blasts
Fairfax Board on
Reform Pledge
Hits Plon to Revump
County Government
If Referendum Fails

A promise by the Fairfax Coun-
ty Board of Supervisors to re-
vamp' the county government if
a vote for government reform
fails in Tuesdays referendum was
attacked today by Omer l.. Hirst
chairman of the Committee for
Good Government.
The committee is one of sew
eral civic organizations backing
proposal for a county manage
ment form of government in the
county. Voters on Tuesday also
will be given a choice between
the present form and the execu-
tive form.
The effort of the supervisors
to defeat needed reform by de-
lay and vague promises" Mr..
Hirst said, will deceive few citi-
zens of Fairfax County.
Earlier Promise Charged.
Precisely the same promise
was made back in 1910 in order
to defeat an earlier reorganiza-
ton of county government. The
promised special for Fairfax
form turned out to be the present
executive secretary form now
serving the people so poorly" He
added:
ANY new form of county gov
ernment coming from the group
now in control also could be ex-
pected to provide for the perpet-
uation of that group in control,
with the continuing neglect of
schools, sanitation, zoning and
other activities that are in the
public interest.
THE second choice preference
of the supervisors and other men,
bers of the present government
for the county executive form in
event change is voted is signifi-
cant indeed.
Political Advertisements Appear.
1T reveals for all to see their
estimate that they can still re-
tain control even If the county
executive form is adopted. They
know that the county manager
form permits the voters to en-
force their wishes and makes
machine rule extremely difficult. :"
Mr.. Hirst said the fact that
the courthouse group opposes
change" but considers the county
executive form an acceptable sec
ond choice, should warn county
citizens to vote for real change"
by balloting for the manager
form.
In line with the boards prom
Use. paid political advertisements
appeared in the county press this
week urging vote against gov
ernment change and for the ex-
ecutive plan.
Mrs. Macy Speaker.
In other developments, Mrs. Ed
ward Macy. president of the
County League of Women Voters,
told the Groveton Citizens Asso-
citation last night that the county
manager government plan is
backed by citizens who want bet
ter schools, better roads and a
more efficient government.
She said the organization back
ing county manager government is
one of citizens and not one of
politicians.
IF county residents are unable
to tell the difference between poll
ticians and citizens, they do not
deserve good government" Mrs.
Macy said.
Executive Form Backed.
At another citizens meeting,
Douglas Clark, a member of the
former Government Study Com
mission, said Fairfax County
voters should continue to elect
supervisors by districts. In a talk
before the Mount Vernon Citizens
Association, Mr.. Clark urged resi-
dents to vote for the county ex-
ecutive plan In Tuesdays refer
endum.
Speaking for the manager form,
Harold A. Ward, a former presi-
dent of the County Federation of
Citizens Associations, advocated
election of supervisors at large.
Mr.. Ward said the increased
revenues of the county during the
next few years will warrant the
services of county manager.