Evening star., 1953-04-19
6Cents IsCut
From Arlington
Tax Increase
Proposed Levy
Eused as School
Fund Is Boosted

An increase in Federal funds
for Arlington schools in the next
fiscal year has shaved 6 cents
from a proposed Accent tax in
crease.
Members of the Arlington
County Board took notice of the
$175.000 change at a meeting
yesterday.
They previously had indicated
reluctance to approve any ap-
preciable tax increase for the
1953-54 budget.
A public hearing on the pro-
posed $17.1 million budget is
scheduled for 8 pm. Wednesday
at Jefferson Junior High School,
BIG South Walter Reed drive.
The board was informed yes
terday in letter from Schools
Supt. T. Edward Rutter that
Federal funds under Public Law
874 are expected to amount to
approximately $475,0O0 in the
next fiscal year. This would be
$175,000 more than the board
anticipated from this source
when the school budget was an
nounced in February.
Tax Rate Changes Listed.
The Scent reduction made
possible by the increased Federal
contribution changes the recon-
mended tax rates to these fig
ureS:
A Accent increase in both
real estate and personal prop
erty tax rates. making the pro-
posed levies 1925 for real estate
and 1888 for personal property.
The County Board has until
May Is to approve the budget
and set the tax rates.
The board yesterday voted to
change speed limits on two high
ways.
Effective June /, the present
25-mile limit on South Glebe
road between South Thirteenth
and South Twenty-sixth street
will be raised to 80. On Columbia
pike, between South Monroe
street and the Fairfax County
line. the 35-mile limit will be
reduced to 80.
Traffic OffenSeS Separated.
Two traffic offenses formerly
constituting reckless driving were
ordered set up in separate sec
tionS Of the traffic code. They
are failure to give full time and
attention. and failure to keep
the vehicle under control.
Police Chief William G. FawVer
said he believes the charge of
reckless driving should be re-
served for more serious offenses.
Maximum penalty for viola
ton of each of the new code
sections is a $50 fine or 10 days
in Jail, or both.
Proposed rezoning of an eight
acre tract from RIO to Rio
was denied by the board. RIO
residential lots must contain at
least 10000 square feet; Rio,
the minimum is 10000.
Residents of the area near the
project. in the $500 block of
North Fillmore street near Wood
mont School. applauded vigor-
ously when the board overruled
a planning commission recon-
mendation and denied the re-
quest. The applicants were Alec
c. Levin and David Kruger.
Re-Study Plan Opposed.
A request by the Arlington
League of Women Voters that
the board order a new study
of incorporation of the county
was referred to committees after
two board members expressed
opposition to the idea.
George M. Rowzee, jr., Repub-
lican, said the county threw
away $4,000 last year" on a
similar study before county
voters rejected incorporation at
the polls in November.
Board Chairman Robert A.
Peck, also Republican, said the
$4,000 was spent ION a cause
pushed by some liberal groups
He said any suggestion for i'm
mediate re-study of incorpora-
ton is premature.
Appointed to a committee to
study the problem of future
Potomac River bridges and bring
back a recommendation were
Leon R. johnson. a surveyor;
Barney B. Hall, jr., engineer:
Leroy F. Deming of the Fort
Myer Heights Citizens Associa-
ton; Basil M. De Lashmutt. en-
gineer and former county board
chairman. and Earl Allgaier,
traffic engineer for the American
Automobile Association.
In other business, the board:
Ordered advertised for public
hearing on May Is an ordinance
to re-establish a Department of
Real Estate Assessment, as au-
thorized by a referendum last
November.
Also set for hearing at the
May Is meeting an ordinance
providing for inspection of bak-.
cries and confectionery estab-
liShments.
Agreed to hear the public at
8 pm. June l on a proposed Or
dinance for regulation of taxi
cabs.