Evening star., 1951-09-08
Hearing Planned
On Law Against
Political Posters
Arlington Board Votes
Penalty in Dispute
With Treasurer Green

The Arlington County Board
today voted to advertise for public
hearing an ordinance providing a
possible Jail sentence for County
Treasurer John Locke Green or
any one else who displays political
posters on county property.
In another attack on the Re-
publican treasurer, the board
asked Commemorative Attorney
Denman T. Rucker whether Mr..
Green acted illegally in using
county equipment to print ap-
proximately $4,000 addresses for
distribution of campaign litera-
ture, as reported by county
Finance Director Edgar Smith.
Meanwhile, two candidates for
Mr.. Green's job charged yester-
day that a letter sent by Mr..
Green to county taxpayers as a
report from his office. actually
was request for votes in the No
Vember election.
County Rents Machinery.
Colin c. Mcpherson. Republi-
can, said six hours of a county en-
ploye's time on an addressograph
machine were used in the mailing.
Charles B. Quade, Democrat,
said the mailing list was prepared
on accounting machinery for
which the county pays an annual
rental of $11,790."
Two weeks ago, the board ap-
proved resolution, carrying no
penalty. stating a policy that only
posters of a charitable or patri-
otic nature could be posted in the
courthouse.
Or. Green maintained that the
board lacks authority over the
office Of an elected official and has
refused to take down posters urg-
ing his reelection as treasurer in
November.
Posters in Office.
The posters in a corridor were
taken down twice, presumably by
county employees. and the treas
urer promptly put them back up.
Last Monday. however, he failed
to replace them when they were
missing as he arrived at work.
Posters in his Offices are still up.
Mrs. Florence Cannon, the
board chairman, proposed the or
dinance, which specifically pro-
hibits political posters and sets the
penalty for violation as a $50 fine
or 10 days in Jail or both. The
hearing is set for October 6.
Board Member Robert w. Cox
suggested that the county set
$500 fee as the price of use of an
addressing machine by Mr.. Green.
Letters Cite Economy Record.
He contended the work would |
cost about that much if the job
had been done by a private firm. |
The letters sent out by Mr.. Green
cited his record for economy in IL
years in the office.
Mr.. Smith said he believes Mr..
Green should be called on to
reimburse the county in the
amount of approximately $36 for
use of the machine. He said Mr..
Green used his own envelopes and
stamps.
According to County Manager
A. T. Lundberg. a procedure has
been set up to prevent future use
of county equipment for political
purposes. He said the equipment
had never before been used for
any non-county job except for
some work for the non-profit Ar
lington Hospital.
Legal Opinion Sought.
Mr.. Cox then asked Mr.. Rucker
If use Of the machine by Mr..
Green in this case was illegal
After Mr.. Rucker replied he did
not know Mrs. Cannon asked
the Commemorative Attorney to
report to the board when he
reached an opinion.
Mr.. Green denied there was any
expense to the county either in
preparing or mailing the letters.
He said he spent more than ST.
900 in printing and postage costs.
Last night, Mr.. Green made a
15-minute radio talk, in which he
promised to "show by clear-cut
evidence how the majority on the
County Board is tied in with the
School Board in one of the great
est political conspiracies this
county has ever SEEN"