Evening star., 1952-01-16
Arlington 5 Bid
For Land Stirs
Assembly Fight
Granting City Benefit
To County Is Opposed
By Foirfox Delegates
By Alex R. Preston
Stog Sfoff Correspondent

TON county CO0ay was cnallenge0
to become city in fact if it con-
tinues to seek the advantages of
a municipality while retaining
benefits accruing to counties under
Virginia law.
That is the reaction Of Fairfax
County's legislative delegation to
Arlington's proposal to gain power
to annex more territory. Only
cities now have this power.
Identical bills were introduced
yesterday by State Senator
Charles r. Fenwick and Delegates
j. Maynard Magruder and George
Damn of Arlington empowering
their county to expand into Fair
fax.
viii Oppose Move.
"We're against it and-to put 1t
mildly-we will resist it," said
State Senator John A. K. Donovan
who was Joined by Delegate Edwin
Lynch, both representing Fairfax.
IF Arlington County wants all
the powers and prerequisites of
Virginia cities, then it should as
sume all the responsibilities of a
city," Mr.. Donovan said.
Several years ago charter was
adopted for Arlington and needs
only to be passed at a referendum
$a rnaHA IL kaanvran ni%yy
Mr.. Lynch commented: "Per-
haps Arlington should avail itself
Of the consolidation act which
sponsored at the last session of
the Legislature"
Under that law two or more
cities and counties may consoli-
date to become a single city or
county. Mr.. Lynch's suggestion
implied that Arlington could "give
itself" to Fairfax County or try
to consolidate either as a county
or city with Falls Church and
Alexandria.
The bills were creating furor
In both branches of the Assembly
because it is the first time a
county has tried to obtain such
authority.
Through a series of special acts
over the years, Arlington has at
tanned many municipal powers
which give it additional revenue
and { local government control.
Only powers left to cities which
Arlington does not have are those
to annex, to grant public utility
franchises and to issue bonds
without calling a referendum. AS
a county it still gets vastly more
State funds for roads than a city
Of comparable size would get.
Byrd Defends Act.
Meanwhile, a move to repeal
the States automatic income tax
reduction act will meet with the
emphatic opposition of the laws
author. State Senator Harry F.
Byrd, jr.
The Winchester lawmaker let it
be known last night that he will
light to the finish to prevent the
repeal" Of the act.~ which provides
for income tax reductions when
ever the States general fund rev.
enues exceed 500 million.
Senator Byrd indicated he
would be agreeable to changes in
the law. But he quickly added
that the principle of the act must
be saved.
At today's session, Senator
Donovan will introduce two new
bills.
Alcoholic Tests Endorsed.
One would require a chemical
test to determine the amount of
alcohol in the blood or breath of
O person accused of driving while
drunk If the accused so requests.
But no such tests would be per-
mitted if the accused does not
make the request. The request
would have to be made in writing.
The second bill would prohibit
issuance Of automobile license
tags to any one who fails to show
a receipt for payment of personal
property taxes on his car.
introduced yesterday in both
branches were the debate e-provok-
ing bills carrying out recon-
mendations of a redistricting
commission which. among other
things. would create a 10th con-
gressional district in Washing
toms suburban area.
Floor Leader Roy B. Davis
sponsored bills to reapportion the
congressional and House of Dele
gates districts while DR.. w. C..
Caudill Of PeariSburg sponsored
those in the Senate for redistrict-
ing that body's makeup and also
q duplicate congressional division
bill.
Budget Measure introduced.
Delegate George Cochran Of
staunton and George S. Aldhizer,
II. Of Broadway, introduced a bill
to prohibit conditional appropri-
ations being placed in the budget
bill. This carries out a recently
expressed desire Of Gov. Battle.
Delegate Armistead Boothe OF
Alexandria joined Mr.. Cochran
ON q bill requiring a 30-minute
rest period after five hours of
continuous employment by female
workers.
Delegates Frances B. Gouldman
Of Fredericksburg and Felix Ed
munds Of Waynesboro presented
O bill which would authorize gov
erning bodies Of cities and towns
to set up group life and hospitali-
zation insurance policies for pub
lie, employees.
Mr.. Cochran Joined in offering
o bill prohibiting a judge from
presiding at any trial where his
father. mother. son, daughter,
brother or sister is counsel in a
case.