Evening star., 1952-02-20
Arlington Gathers Data
For Counter-CIaim 10
Fight Green S Suit

Arlington County officials be-
gan assembling data today for use
in a proposed counter-claim to a
suit filed by John Locke Green
against County Board Member
Alan L. Dean.
Commonwealth's Attorney VIII
liam j. Hassan told the board, at
special meeting last night, that
the cost of the legal action to the
county may be measured Gin
thousands. or maybe hundreds of
thousands. of dollars"
Because the six property own
ers represented by Mr.. Green can
not be required to post bond, Mr..
Hassan said, he decided to ask
the board to authorize preparation
of the counter claim for actual
financial loss"
The commemorative attorney
said the litigation might have the
effect of raising interest rates on
bond issues the county is planning
to sell. An increase of only one
half of l per cent in the rate,
he said, could cost the county $2,-
900 a month. for the life Of the
bond issues for schools and parks.
Authorizes Estimates.
BY unanimous vote, the board
authorized County Manager A. T.
Lundberg and the boards finan-
cial advisers to begin gathering
estimates on possible losses to the
county as a result Of the legal
The board also accepted a
recommendation by Mr.. Hassan
that two attorneys be employed
to assist him in the suit. They
are former Commemorative At
torney Lawrence Douglas and
former County Board Chairman
Edmund D. Campbell.
County Board Member Daniel
A. Dugan said legal action against
board members in the past has
cost the county tremendous
amounts Of money"
Undoubtedly" he said, "they
will continue to attack, but from
now on I am going to attack
back"
The suit challenges Mr.. Deans
right to serve on the board be-
cause he is a Federal employe.
The board chairman, Robert w.
Cox, also is employed by the
Federal Government.
Assembly Bill introduced.
Mr.. Green filed the suit in be-
half OF Rocco Paolicelli, Howard
w. Sharpe, Harvey A. Williams,
Eli Luria. Raymond A. Miller and
James E. Millar.
Mr.. Paolicelli. of 1921 North
Twenty-third street, is a masonry
contractor; Mr.. Sharpe, 4518
North Thirty-second street, is a
member of a construction firm
of Sharpe & Hamaker Inc,
specialists in school and church
work, 3248 Wilson boulevard; Mr..
Williams, 2233 North Lexington
street, is manager of the Arling-
ton Building Supply Co., Inc,
l2650 South Oakland street.
Mr.. Luria, 2637 North POGO
moke street. is a member of the
Luria Bros. contracting firms,
2300 Wilson boulevard; Mr.. Mil
lar, 1872 North Hollister street,
is head of the Virginia loan de-
partment for Weaver Bros, Inc,
Washington real estate firm.
The address and occupation of
Mr.. Miller could not be learned,
and Mr.. Green said he was unable
to give reporters this information.
The Arlington delegation in the
General Assembly has introduced
legislation to permit Federal
workers to serve on the County
Board. The legislators have
agreed to ask an opinion from
the State attorney general to
determine whether the General
Assembly may act to validate the
law now being challenged by Mr..
Green.
Mr.. HaSsan said he hopes a
procedure can be devised to take
the contest Immediately to the
State Supreme Court, avoiding the
delay of a Circuit Court trial land
a certain appeal to the higher
court"
Goes Back Five Years.
The attorney also told the board
members that, if Mr.. Dean is hold
ing his position Illegally, then
every bond issue, every contract
approved by the board since 1947
is void" Mr.. Dugan, the first
Federal employe to become a
board member, took Office in 1947
/ In other action. the board ap-
proved motion by Mr.. Dean that
the county's delegation be in.
formed that the board Is opposed
to any legislation restricting Ar
Ilington's right to adopt rent ccn-
Itrol.