Evening star., 1952-10-17
Citizens Of Fairfax
Bury Hatchet Over
Redistricting Delay

KeuISIIICIIng DeIdy
The Fairfax Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations and the coun-
tvs redistricting commission ap-
parently have buried the hatchet
and decided to work together.
The unexpected harmony de-
veloped last night after John w.
Rust, chairman of the commits
sion, addressed a federation meet
ing in the Annandale Elementary
School.
Last month the federation ac-
cused the redistricting commits
sion of undue delay and decided
to see what legal steps could be
taken to have redistricting COM
pleted.
Cites Similarities in Plans.
Mr.. Rust told the federation
last night, however. that the COM
mission is considering a plan very
much like that worked out by
Arthur j. Bissell of Tauxemont.
The federation made Mr.. Bis
sells plan public last week.
Districts l and 2 of Mr.. Bis
sells plan are almost exactly like
those the commission has been
considering" said Mr.. Rust. 1--WE
also expect to have district prac-
tically like Mr.. Bissell's No. S,
which includes all land north of
route T."
District / referred to by Mr..
Rust would include approximately
all land between No. l highway
and the Potomac River. District
2 would lie generally between No.
highway and Shirley highway.
II think Mr.. Bissell has worked
up a very fine plan," said Mr..
Rust. "It is very much in line
with what the commission is do
ing at the present time"
Appointed 1S Months Ago.
The redistricting commission
was appointed by the Circuit Court
about 18 months ago to rearrange
the county's magiSterial districts.
At present. the county has six
magisterial districts with popula-
tions that vary from about 1000
to over 10000. Mr.. Rust said the
commission intended to set up
seven districts, creating one new
seat on the Board of Supervisors.
He defended the time taken,
saying it has been difficult to get
the information necessary to an
equitable plan.
He declared it would be irnpos-
sible to have equal population in
each of the seven districts. because
the law limits the minimum area
of districts. The commission. he
said, welcomed help from the fed
Grafton and any other interested
parties.
John C. Shower, chairman of a
federation committee appointed
to see how to force completion of
redistricting, said he had discov-
cred what a tremendous task con-
fronted the commission.
"Our committee was received
very courteously by members Of
the commission" he said. 1--WE
were very impressed with the
seriousness of their intentions"
Commends Committee.
The federation adopted reso-
luton commencing the committee
and instructing it to continue
working on the redistricting prob
lem.
Mr.. Rust agreed to let mem
bers of the committee see the
commissions tentative redistrict-
ing plans and offered to work with
the committee. He said the pro-
posed plan is not to be made
available to the general public,
however, until it is complete.
The federation adopted reso-
luton congratulating the Board
Of County Supervisors for requir-
ing legislation permitting Federal
workers to serve on all boards
and commissions in the county.
It voted to join the supervisors
in asking Gov. Battle to bring
the matter up at the forthcoming