Evening star., 1951-12-05
Urban Counties
In Virginia Seek
Annexiing Power
Arlington Delegation
Prepares Bill for
Assembly Action
By Alex. R. Preston

By Alex. R. Preston
Urban counties would be
granted the power to annex ad-
joining territory for the first time
by terms Of a bill being prepared
by the Arlington delegation te
the Virginia General Assembly.
The admittedly revolutionary
move was announced today fol-
lowing disclosure yesterday of 6
legislative program for the AS.
Sembly which convenes January 9
State Senator Charles r. Fen
wick and Delegates j. Maynard
Magruder and George Damn said
their program would be expanded
before the Assembly adjourns in
March.
Delegation Statement.
Heretofore, only cities and in
corporated towns have enjoyed
privilege Of annexing additional
territory" the delegation declared
In a statement.
Fundamentally. there is no
reason why q county that can
provide improved facilities to
people in an adjacent county
should not have the privilege of
going before an annexation court
and making this showing to the
same extent that q city or town
can"
Fairfax would be the obvious
target of the move inasmuch as
1t is the only county that ad-
joins Arlington.
A special commission of the
General Assembly studying an
nexation problems recently recon-
mended changes in the law, one of
which would permit counties to
institute annexation proceedings
requiring city or town to annex
q portion of the county.
"Goes One Step Further"
"Our proposal goes one step fur
ther." the Arlington delegation
said. 1T would not only give the
county the right to initiate the
proceedings but give it the right
to acquire additional territory"
In the program outlined at a
press conference yesterday, the
delegation said 1t would seek q law
giving Arlington the same power
to issue public utility franchises
that only cities in Virginia now
posses.
If the annexation bill and fran
chise law were passed, Arlington
through the operation of nu-
merous other special acts-would
have all Of the powers now granted
cities, except one. Virginia cities
may issue bonds without holding
referendums while counties can
not.
Other Proposals Outlined.
Among other legislative pro-
posals outlined are the following:
Calling for a 30-day "short ses-
sion" of the Assembly in odd
years falling between the present
60-day session in even years, SINH
lar to the plan in Maryland.
Ban the use of Shirley highway
from Woodbridge to Route z to
heavy through-truck traffic.
Insist on and support" a rec
ommendation of special Reds
tricting Commission calling for a
new 10th Congressional District
in the Washington suburban area.
The delegation will seek two ad-
ditional representatives in the
House of Delegates, one Of whom
would be elected jointly with
Falls Church. The commission
recommended only one additional
House member to be elected with
Falls Church. The delegation will
seek a second State Senator
elected with Alexandria. The
commission left Arlington's Sen
ate representation at one, but
recommended q State Senator
for Alexandria alone.
Milk Price Fixing Powers.
Eliminate retail price fixing
powers of the State Milk Com
mission and increase membership
of that commission from three
to four. At present one member
is producer, another is a dis
tributor and the third is one who
falls In neither classification. Ar
1ington's proposal would require
that the third member plus the
proposed new member be "con-
sumer" representatives.
Introduce enabling acts to per-
NIT Arlington voters to determine
Cd whether to change the method
Of appointing county manager
and If so, whether he shall serve
at the pleasure of the county
board on either a fiscal or calen-
dar year basis; (2) whether to
create the post Of county attor-
ney; 90 whether the county
manager or County Board should
appoint department heads.
Amend law on inheritances so
that surviving spouse may get
q SO per cent exemption on the
estate for tax purposes. At pres
ent, widows may be taxed for the
full value of the estate.
Teacher Tenure Provised
Provide for teacher tenure-se-
curity-for those who hold certi-
ficates of instruction.