Evening star., 1952-02-06
Arlington Group Asks
Law 10 Permit New
Real Estate Tax Unit

Legislation to permit re-estab-
Ilishment of Department of Real
Estate Assessments in Arlington
has been proposed by the Arling-
ton Civic Federation.
The Virginia Court of Appeals
.ast month ruled the county assess
|ment department was Illegally Gre
ated in 1851 by the County Board.
It declared a section of a State
law under which the agency was
created was special legislation be-
cause it limited authorization to
counties with less than 10 square
miles area. Ell
A resolution urging amendment
lof the law to provide that coun-
ties with a certain population den-
lsity be permitted to establish an
assessment department was
adopted by the federation last
might. s-.s-
Basis Would Alter 1t.
In its decision, the court ruled
III the act provided a population
basis, rather than land area for
allowing the department, it would
mot have fallen into the special
category.
The appeals court ruled in favor
of former County Treasurer John
Locke Green, and former Com
monwealth Attorney Denman T.
Rucker, who had contested crea-
ton Of the department by the
board.
They noted an appeal after the
Arlington Circuit Court upheld
the law.
Asks Business Tax Boost.
The federation adopted a reso-
luton, offered by its committee
ion revenues and expenditures,
urging immediate action by the
County Board to increase rates
under the business and profess
|sional license tax ordinance.
Committee Chairman Howard
Cannon said the ordinance,
adopted in 1949, yields about
$400, 900 annually. He said 1t could
produce nearly 81 million without
injuring business.
Opposition to a bill, now before
the General Assembly, which would
make State welfare roles open to
the public, was expressed by the
federation. Health and Welfare
Committee Chairman Lance G.
Hooks said this would only embar-
rass needy families.
He declared Virginia has weeded
many "chiselers" from relief roles
through close supervision.
The group also announced op-
position to part Of a local bill
sponsored by the Arlington legis-
lative delegation, which calls for
a referendum on the creation of
an Office Of county attorney.
The bill provides for decision by
the voters on whether the Office
should be appointive or elective.
II created, the federation de-
clared, the Office should be filled
by appointment by the County
Board.
Urges Dog incubation.
In other actions, the federation:
Adopted a resolution urging an
ordinance to require dog inocula-
ton against rabies once a year.
Urged amendment of State law
to permit the county board to
adopt the local budget on May
Is instead Of April 30. This would
permit closer citizen study Of the
budget after it is presented March
Is, the federation said.
Announced its support for in
creasing membership on the
county planning commission from
nine to IS. The County Board is |
expected to act on this Saturday. i
Asked for enabling legislation
10 permit election Of a local
Government Study Commission
With power to draft a new city ;
charter or county manager act for
Arlington.
A city charter was approved in
I946 by the General Assembly Il
,ut has never been put in effect. |,
Harley M. williams, chairman of,
he legislation and legal action
committee. said that charter IS !
,utznoded. u