Evening star., 1950-06-17
Hot Debate Held
On County Rule
Plan in Fairfax
Audiences Right
To Criticize Ponel
Argued at Hearing

The second Of a series Of public
hearings on proposed changes in
Fairfax County government last
night erupted into a bitter, hour
long debate between the chairman
and several proponents Of the
county manager plan.
AT issue was whether the audi
ence could criticize members OF
the commission conducting the
hearings. Among the commission
members are State Senator An
drew w. Clarke. Alex Haight OF
the School Board; a member Of
the Democratic Executive Com
mittee, and member of the SINH
lar Republican organizations
An audience of more than 100
meeting at Bailey'S Crossroads
voted almost unanimously In favor
Of a change from the present ex-
ecutive secretary form of govern
ment to county manager type.
In show Of hands requested near
the close Of the meeting. only
three persons indicated opposi-
ton to the manager plan. A few
did not vote.
Announcement Made.
Walter C. Grain. chairman OF
the commission, announced at the
beginning of the meeting that he
would permit no criticism of mem
bers of the 2l-member body ap-
pointed by the Board OF Super
visors to conduct the hearings.
Robert D. L'Heureux of Virginia
Heights. counsel for the Senate
Banking Committee. rose and be-
gan an attack on Senator Clarke's
role as counsel for a client be-
fore the Board of Supervisors. The
chairman attempted to silence
him, but Mr.. LHeureux completed
his statement.
How can we go to our State
Senator for help" asked Mr..
L'Heureux. when he is an inter-
ested party?"
Frank NJ. Russell of Munson
Hill. vice president of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co. in WASH
ington. also brought UP Senator
Clarke'S name and was told by
the chairman that he must omit
reference to personalities
Free Speech Urged.
c. B. Runyon, Falls Church
District member of the Board of
Supervisors, urged the chairman
to permit free speech at the
hearing in my district" regardless
of who was being criticized.
Mr.. Russell then continued that
he does not question the right Of
public official Ito enter a project
on behalf of a paying client"
What we are determined to
do" he continued. lis to have a
manager and his staff considering
the county's problems, not on be-
half OF a fee-paying client but on
behalf Of the best interests Of
the people of Fairfax County"
Adoption Of the manager plan
on which a referendum is now
pending. was supported by the
Jefferson Village City Park Asso-
citation and the Beech Tree Lane
Citizens Association.
Commission Acnusad
Edward T. Gibbons, president
of the Taxpayers Advisory Asso-
citation. addressed more than so
members of the audience after
the meeting was adjourned. Mr..
Gibbons had repeatedly sought
the floor but had been denied 1t
by Mr.. Grain because he took up
almost all the time we had at our
first hearing at Lorton."
While about dozen conversa-
tions proceeded in the meeting
room. Mr.. Gibbons charged that
the commission "is very much
weighted with members who OPP
pose the county manager plan"
His assertion that appointment
of the commission by the super
visors was IAN eleventh hour at
tempt TO confuse the issue" was
applauded.
The next hearing will be held
Tuesday at Herndon.