Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-25
Arlington Asks
Delay in Raziing
Of 'Eyesores
Some Carver Home
Owners Moy Want
70 Renovote Units


70 Renovote Units
The Federal Government was
asked by the Arlington County
Board yesterday to defer for 80
days its scheduled demolition Of
George Washington Carver
Homes so that q study can de-
termine whether property own
ers could renovate some of the
Negro housing units for perma-
nent dwellings.
The action was, In effect. q
modification OF the boards pre-
vious position Of March 81 when
it informed the Public Housing
Administration that none Of the
frame structures could be used
as permanent dwellings.
William r. Syphax, colored, q
building contractor who lives
next to the South Arlington
housing project. sought assur-
ances that the units would be
torn down. The Government
previously ordered the project
vacated and ali except d handful
Of families have moved out.
Would Clear Away Eyesores.
Mr.. Syphax said residents of
the area are anxious to clear
away the eyesores so that the
land. leased by the Government
win revert to the owners for de-
velopment of modern brick
homes.
The question arose: according
to a report by County Manager
A. T. Lundberg, when some prop
erty owners expressed a desire to
take over the buildings and
renovate them to meet minimum
building code standards.
Board Member George M.
Rowzee moved that the Govern
ment delay razing operations
until the Zoning and Land Use
Committee could determine how
many structures would be in
volved.
The board adopted an amend-
ment to its retirement ordinance
SO that those employees who
have not participated in the plan
heretofore. may come under its
provisions in the future.
Wants Street Renamed.
After listening to an appeal by
Mrs. Margaret Walker Gamble,
several members expressed inter-
est in her request that a portion
Of North Randolph street, about
400 feet long. be renamed for
her father, the late Robert
Walker.
Mrs. Gamble said six genera
lions Of her family had lived on
the tract, part of which was
donated to the county to open
the street. Her father was a
member of the Arlington Board
Of Supervisors many years ago.
Planning Director c. I. Kin
nier and County Manager Lund-
berg opposed the request as a
matter Of policy. saying that it
would interfere with Ariington's
system Of naming streets accord
ing to the alphabet. The Board
agreed ito study the matter until
its next meeting August Z.
Extension of Tax Deadline.
The Arlington Women's DEM
ocratic Club asked the board if
it could extend the real estate
tax deadline of August Is which
had been moved UP from De-
cember 6 by the 1854 Legislature.
The board, in a letter to the
women's group. said it had asked
for permissive legislation, but
that the new law made the dead
line mandatory and there is
nothing the board can do to
suspend penalties after August
Is.
Mr.. Lundberg was asked to
report August Z on q suggestion
by Mrs. Leone Buchholz, board
chairman, that the speed limit
on Glebe road between Wilson
boulevard and Columbia pike, be
raised from Is to 80 miles an
hour.
Closed Door Meetings.
Mrs. Buchholz was asked after
the meeting if Board members
had arrived at a conclusion as
to what future policy will be on
their practice Of holding closed
sessions on the Friday nights
preceding regular Saturday
meetings.
The board chairman took ex-
ception to the word sessions,
stating that she regarded the
gatherings to thresh out the Eext
days business as conferences"
and that no member was COM
PEELED to attend. She said the
had come up at Friday
nights conference but a decision
was delayed because of the
absence Of one member, Robert