Evening star., 1950-11-17
Move Launched
To Redistrict
Fairfax County
Citizens Federation
Proposes Petitions
For Court Action

of Citizens Associations plans to
lead a movement for redistricting
of the county's magisterial dis
tricts.
The Federation last night voted
to circulate petitions asking the
Circuit Court for a redistricting
that would give approximately
equal populations in the various
magisterial districts. A minimum
of so signatures is needed.
The Federation also voted to
cooperate with the Board OF
Supervisors in preparing to adopt
the executive form of government
approved by the voters Novem-
ber 7.
The county at present has six
magisterial districts varying wide
ly in population. Three urban
districts have a total population
of approximately 10000 and the
other three, which are relatively
rural, have about $1,000.
Odd Number Proposed
The federation proposal sug-
gests that an odd number of
districts be created. This would
eliminate the court appointed
"tie-breaker," who is now called
in when the vote of supervisors,
elected by districts, is evenly di-
vided.
The federation agreed, more
than a year ago, to press for
establishment of new district
boundaries, but shelved the plan
because of other programs it
wished to sponsor.
Guy M. Bayes, federation presi-
dent, said the State law provides
that the Circuit Court judge, after
receiving the petition, can i'm
mediately decide on new bound
aries or can appoint commission
to make recommendations. The
court has given no indication OF
its sentiment on the matter.
The manager form of govern
ment. Endorsed by the federation
but beaten in the referendum
when voters chose the executive
type, would have changed the
method of voting for the super
visors. At present, supervisors
are nominated and elected by
districts. Under the manager
plan. nominations would have
continued to be by districts, but
election would be at large.
introduced by Scull.
The redistricting proposal was
presented by David Scull of An
nandale. and was indorsed by
Harold Ward, former president of
the federation, and Robert A. Os-
born, chairman of the county gov
ernment committee.
The federation met last night
at Annandale School. Admitted
to membership was the Bucknell
Manor Citizens Association.
Several speakers expressed salts
faction with the results of the
county government referendum
saying that the federation, al
though supporting the manager
plan, was gratifled that a change
had been ordered.
The federation agreed that it
would give every assistance to
plans of the supervisors to prepare
for adoption of the executive plan.
This would include having men,
bers serve on a committee pro-
posed by David Lawrence, news
paper writer and chairman of a
committee which reported on the
Government set up. Mr.. Lawrence
had urged the supervisors to ap-
point committee as soon as pos
sible to study what steps should
be taken in making the transition
to the executive form. The new
type of Government will be effec-
tive January /, 1852.
In other actions, the group voted
to protest to E. K. Uhler, chair
man of the Electoral Board, that
registration is ''far too difficult
in some precincts. The federation
plans to ask other organizations
to consider joining in a drive to
make registration easier.