Evening star., 1951-08-15
Smith Presses
ToForceS SaIeof
Nevius Tract
Arlington Official
Pleads for Its Return
To County Tax Roll


crat, of Virginia today pleaded
with a House public works sub
committee to approve a bill direct
ing the Government to sell to some
private buyer the Nevius tract near
Arlington Cemetery.
The property has been IN con-
troversy since the Government
bought it several years ago as a
site for proposed Veterans Ad-
ministration hospital. The plan
later was abandoned, partly due
to a fight by Arlington County
Spokesmen. The hospital now is
to be built on the grounds of the
Soldiers Home.
Mr.. Smith argued that it was a
mistake for the Government to
have bought the property in the
first place, spending more than
$l.6 million for about IS acres.
"All we want" Mr.. Smith said,
"is to get this very valuable prop
erty back on the Arlington County
tax rolls
He added that "it is about time
we stopped some of these foolish
expenditures"
Bill Being Prepared.
He was supported by Mrs. Flor
ence Cannon, chairman of the
Arlington County Board. and by
the Arlington delegation in the
Virginia Legislature, Charles r.
Fenwick, j. Maynard Magruder
and George Damn.
A different position was taken
by two Government witnesses who
were to testify later today or to-
morrow. They were John Nolen,
jr., director of the National Capt.
tai Parking and Planning Com
mission, and w. E. Reynolds, pub
lie buildings commissioner, who
were asking delay on the Smith
bill. Mr.. Nolen said an admins
tration bill was being prepared
under which the tract would be
used for a national memorial to
American ideals.
Mr.. Nolen told reporters that if
the land were sold and resulted in
the construction of a once
planned apartment house, such a
project would be like putting
ears on the top of the Lincoln
Memorial"
Mr.. Smith brought out that in
May of last year the Defense De-
partment wrote to Chairman
George Of the Senate Finance
Committee that it had no interest
in the tract for development pur-
poses. He also put into the record
a letter from Jess Larson, General
Services administrator, dated
April 80, this year, saying that
the Defense Department had
found pressing need" for the
property. Mr.. Smith said he had |
been unable to ascertain the need. |
Potential Tax Loss Cited.
Mr.. Smith and the other Arling-
ton County Spokesmen protested
that the Federal Government
now owns about fifth of the
total area Of the county.
Mrs. Cannon, in her testimony,
said that to keep the Nevius
tract in Government ownership
means an annual potential tax
loss to the county of $137, 500 for
the real estate levy alone.
She maintained that the land
was too valuable for Government
use.
On the question that the land
might be used for an apartment
house project, Mr.. Smith said he
was ready to agree to any amend
ment the House committee might
add to his bill to place restrictions
on the use of the land or to pro-
vide that it should not be sold for
less than the Government paid
for it.
Mrs. Cannon also discussed this
point, saying that Arlington Coun-
ty has planning commission,
which takes cognizance of such
matters, and would take them into
consideration in approving or dis
approving" any project.
The hearing will be resumed at
10 am. tomorrow.