Evening star., 1951-09-19
Board Debates
North Virginia
House District
Bottle Commission
Agrees on Addition,
But Debates Makeup
By Jones R. BirchfieId
Sfer Stoff CORRESPONDENT

StoF Staff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Sept. 19.-Gov.
Battles Redistricting Commission
had before it today suggestions for
providing equal representation in
the Old Dominion, including over
whelming opinion that a new Con-
gresSional district be formed in
Northern Virginia.
In all plans suggested for re-
diStricting the State, given at a
hearing here yesterday before the
commission, it was agreed that a
10th Congressional district be
added in the Northern area.
There was some disagreement,
however, as to the makeup of the
proposed 10th district. A Repub-
lican plan suggested that the new
district include Prince William
County in addition to Arlington
and Fairfax Counties and the
Cities of Alexandria and Falls
Church, while a plan suggested by
the Northern Virginia delegation
in the General Assembly would
leave Prince William County in
its present district, the 9th.
The commission is charged with
preparign a plan for State redis-
tricting to be submitted to the
General Assembly next year. The
plan will include reShufhing the
State Senate and House districts,
as well as Congressional repre-
sentation.
FenWick Outlines Plan.
Speaking for the Northern Vir-
ginia delegation, State Senator
Charles r. Fenwick of Arlington
suggested that 10th congression-
al district be formed by removing
Arlington and Fairfax Counties
and the cities of Alexandria and
Falls Church from the 9th district.
He proposed that the population
of the 9th then be strengthened by
adding to it the city of Fred
ericksburg and the counties of
Caroline, Spotsylvania, King and
Queen, WeStmoreland, Richmond,
Matthews, Middlesex, Gloucester.
Northumberland, Lancaster and
Essex, all from the present 1St
district, and Hanover and King
William Counties from the Sd dis
trict. Greene and Madison coun-
ties would go to the 7th district.
Regarding the State Senate and
House districts, j. Maynard Ma
gruder, member of the House OF
Delegates from Arlington County,
proposed that the Northern Vir-
ginia area be given five new House
members and one additional Sen
ator
Mr.. Magruder, who said his pro-
posal has the Endorsement OF all
Northern Virginia members of the
General Assembly, offered this
plan:
That, with a total State popu-
lation of 3,318,680, each delegate
should represent approximately
$4,000 population.
Four for Arlington.
Therefore Arlington, with a.
population of $4,000, is entitled
to two additional delegates, max
ing total of four.
That Alexandria, with a popu-
lation of 61,787, should have one
additional delegate, or a total OF
two.
That Fairfax County and the
city of Falls Church. with pop
ulation of 106,092, have two addi-
tional delegates, or a total of
three. That Fairfax County and
Falls Church have its own Sen
ator.
Mr.. Magruder said each State
Senator should represent about
$1,000 population. Arlington has
a larger population than this, and
Alexandria, with a population of
61,787, has no senatorial repre-
sentation. Therefore, an addi-
tional Senator should be given
Arlington and Alexandria.
A Congressional redistricting
plan submitted by Col. Albert P.
Hinckley, Fauquier County, repre-
senting the Republican State Gen.
tral Committee, suggested sweep
ing changes in all present dis
trictS.
The Republican-approved plan
would place Prince William County
in a proposed 10th district in
Northern Virginia, along with Ar
lington and Fairfax Counties and
Alexandria and Falls Church.
He said the Republican plan
was based on the fact that the
principal population centers are
in the northern, southern, south
western, southeastern and central
sections of the State. The plan,
he added, would disrupt few estab-
liShed geographical lines.
Would Bisect County.
Only in the Norfolk area, where
population growth has been as
great as in the northern area,
would a district line bisect
county.
State Senator E. L. Breeden of |
Norfolk differed with the Repub-
Iican plan, however, pleading that
the community interest of the
Hampton roads area be held in
tact.
Supporting Mr.. Magruder's plan
for redistricting Senate and House
representation, Edwin Lynch,
member of the House from Fair
fax, pointed out that, since the
1850 census. it has been estimated
that Fairfax has increased by
10000.
He said that, if Alexandria wins
its suit. now pending before a
Court of Appeals, to annex about
10000 people from Fairfax, the
overall representation picture will
not be changed.
DR.. George j. Schulz of Vienna,
IN Eoirfav HoiIntv RepiIh1ieoy,