Evening star., 1951-06-10
The Incumbents Soy
They Stund for Progress

The Incumbents Soy
They Stond for Progress
officials who have been chart
ing Falls Church's course In re-
cent years ran into their first
spirited opposition during the
current election campaign.
They regard their opponents as
|obstructionists who seek to block
the city's progress toward becom-
ing a modern, efficiently run mu-
nicipality.
Running together on slate for
City Council are Albert NJ. Orme,
Lee M. Rhodes, w. David Brewer
and Sherman Wells, incumbents,
and Carl A. S. Coan, Malcolm E.
Smith and Samuel j. Dennis.
Representing a majority of the
|city's present administration, they
promise to fulfill programs for
improving schools, streets, water
supply and other municipal serv-
ices that have been launched dur
ing their tenure or during the
terms of officials with whom they
sympathized.
Von Meter Seeks Reflection
La Rue Van Meter, the present
city attorney who is seeking re-
election, is generally regarded as
a running mate on the same slate.
Mr.. Van Meter and his friends
point with pride to the fact that
Falls Church has divorced itself
from Fairfax County under their
guidance. Two new schools that
will eliminate double shifts for
children are under construction,
and the city has expanded its
water system to an adequate
capacity.
The list of accomplishments
that administration forces are
brandishing in hopes of getting
Ire-elected begins with the city's
transition from a town to city
status in August, 1948. Next, the
city won the right to establish a
school district separate from Fair
fax County. A city school board
was appointed, a new superin-
Itendent hired and teachers SAL
aries raised above those Of any
other city in the State.
Curriculum in the schools has
been expanded to include music.
art and physical education for all
grades. The Madison School was
Irepainted, rewired and otherwise
improved after the city took it
over.
1--WE are on our way to having
one of the best education systems
lin Virginia" they claim.
A new charter was prepared for
the city under the present admin
istration's guidance and passed by
the Legislature after several minor
changes. Administration sup
porters believe it is one of the best
charters in Virginia. It has given
Falls Church home rule, never
enjoyed while the municipality
was part of Fairfax County.
The administration candidates
point with pride to the new reas-
sessment that was conducted to
equalize property valuations. They
say that the difference in Falls
Church and Fairfax County tax
rates has been virtually eliminated.
Home rule has made it possible
for the city to plan a street and
storm sewer improvement pro-
gram, OF the $5o0,000 in bonds
which voters will be asked to ap-
prove Tuesday. $275,000 would be
for such improvements and the
other $225 900 would be used to
equip the new high school and pay
off a short-term loan for con-
struction Of the elementary school.
Mr.. Van Meter, who has been
city attorney since 1945, took a
leading part in the charter
preparation and establishment of
a home rule government separate
from the county.
Political Gimmick'
He warns that his opponent
once was assistant Common.
wealth's attorney of Fairfax
County, and has close county ties
Mr.. Gibson's offer to do the job
at half the price is described by
Mr.. Van Meter as a wise politica.
girnmick. No matter who is
elected, he says, it remains for tht
City Council to set the salary.
The real issue of the election !,
lthe opinion of Mr.. Van Meter i
whether the city's present policie
shall be continued, or returned tt
the hands of those with count!
sympathies. An act Of the las
Legislature would permit tn
county and city school system q
be reunited, and the administra
, tion group sees that as a posi-
, bility, although the anti-adminis
, tration candidates have deniet
any such intention.
! Fails Church Is at the cross
roads-our schools can go back t
E the courthouse crowd-our cit
can be turned back to an out
$ moded town government" is tn
= warning repeated by administra
y ton supporters.
e Only one candidate has re
= mained aloof from the feuding
J. the two major opposing faction!
l He is Adolph Steinberg, VIII
= claims he is not aligned with eithe
4 slate and promises to vote on eac
issue as he sees At.