Evening star., 1952-02-22
Delegates Study
FranchiseP Power
For Arlington
Committee Hears
Conflicting Views
On Legislation
By Alex R. Preston
Ca En-

conflicting appeals from Arlington
citizens and business interests ovel
legislation to give that county the
power to grant franchises to pub
lie utilities.
Also taken under adviSement il
another measure, proposing to
establish an Office of Arlington
County attorney. if voters ap-
prove.
The General Assembly will GO
into its first Saturday session to-
morrow because only two more
weeks remain in the 1852 session
There is tremendous backlog
OF legislation in both House and
Senate, and for the next few days
both branches will work at fever
pitch to rid themselves of their
own bills. For the time being,
therefore. they will not consider
measures originating in the op-
posite branch.
The franchise and county bills
were introduced by Delegates
George Damn and j. Maynard
Magruder.
Utilities Oppose Franchises.
The power to grant franchises
was opposed by public utility in
terests and defended by spokes-
men for the Arlington Civic Fed
Grafton.
The federation opposed the
county attorney bill, in its present
form, which, in addition to giving
voters the choice of saying
whether there shall be such an Of
flee created, also would determine
voter sentiment on whether the
official would be elected by the
people or selected by the board.
Mr.. Magruder said the fran
chise bill was introduced because
Arlington'S high density popula-
tion gives it many of the problems
that cities have. Cities have such
powers.
Gerald Glassman, representing
the Arlington County Board, said
Our problem is complicated by
the fact that we are part of the
Washington Metropolitan Area
All OF our utilities are regulated
by Federal agencies. They do not
provide the technical and legal
staff to represent the public in
terest."
Authority to grant franchises
would give the county access to
company records, he said.
Holds Rights Recognized.
Malcolm D. Miller of the civic
federation said that, while only
cities in Virginia have the fran
chlse power, there is nothing in
the constitution to prevent a
county also obtaining such au-
thority. In fact, he said, section
156 OF the constitution expressly
recognizes the right of counties in
this respect.
Delegate j. j. Williams of Hen
rico asked why Arlington doesn't
become city.
Mr.. Miller replied that the fed
Grafton would oppose such a move
now because the charter available
Tor incorporation is not in ac-
ceptable form and also because the
county. he was informed, would
lose much of the State road funds
1t now gets.
Joseph Ingram, Arlington attor-
ney, said he doubts if there is any
community in the country as
thickly settled as Arlington with
out the franchise power.
H. w. Anderson of Alexandria
representing the Virginia Electric
Power Co. and the Rosslyn Gas
Co., said, We're not here to
oppose this in principle, but
they're proceeding the wrong way.
All they have to do is incorporate
into a city. What they want to
do is have their cake and eat it.
too. by getting all of the emolu-
ments OF cities but none of the
pains.
A. B. & w. Opposed.
r. T. Mitchell of the Alexan-
dria, Bancroft & Washington
Transit Co., opposed the bill. His
company serves only about 30 per
cent OF Arlington and only about
II per cent of its mileage is in that
county. he said.
I'VE might we'll find ourselves
IN the position of not getting per-
mission from Arlington but getting
State Corporation Commission ap-
proval to operate along certain
routes. We might get caught in
our operations between Alexan-
dria and Fairfax County and
washington. with Arlington in
between" 49,
E: D. Peterson of the chesa-
peake & Potomac Telephone Co,
said the county now has all au-
thority it needs to examine rec
ords OF the companies,
MIR. Miller said the federation
opposes passage of the county
attorney bill in its present form.
1t Should make the official ap-
pointed by the County Board and
should not restrict his powers
Also, there should be no limitation
to the effect that only one attor-
ney could be named by the board
at any one time. -
FavOrs Fairfax Bill.
I'VE would like the same kind
OF bill that Senator (John A. K1
Donovan is asking for Fairfax -
he said.
Mr.. Damn told the COMMITTEES
the commemorative attorney still
could hire associate counsel. whs..
necessary, to help on suits inyoly-
Ing such matters as annexation.
A committee member INQUIRED
why the question was to be de-
cided by referendum; why the bill
Gid not make outright provision
Tor a county attorney?
Mr.. Damn replied there was
divided opinion on the subject