Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-01

County should become a city:
If SO, why? II not, why?
I Mr.. Brown: I'm not sur,
whether we should become {
city. / do think the county
board should appoint q study
group to consider the idea, thi
way a similar group did II
1852. At that time the grouI
recommended against incor.
poration because Of the 100000
to 100000 in highway money
which we lose.
Generally, the idea appeal.
to me, because it would give u.
a greater degree of self govern
ment and more capacity fol
dealing with our own problems
But in view of the heavy money
demands on us, I don't know
whether we can afford to lose
that highway money at this
time"
Mr.. Magruder: 'No-at least
not until the State grant
formula is revised. The loss to
the county at this time woulc
total some 100000 annually
and would be more than oul
taxpayers could absorb"
I 4. Do you think Arlington
needs any new kinds Of taxes:
If the need arises for add.
tional- revenue, from what
sources do you think 1t should
come?
Mr.. Brown: II am concerned
about the heavy load now car
ried by the property tax, and
am therefore interested in new
sources of revenue. Legally,
and practically, the possibili-
ties are limited to the business
privilege taxes. AS for pres
ent rates of business privilege
taxes. I am not convinced that
the gross receipts method of
computing the tax is the best
available, and am interested in
possible substitution of the
value added criterion.
"In other words, I don't think
current rates should be altered
until we look thoroughly into
the feasibility of changing the
basis to value-added. I do
think Arlington should impose
a transient rentals taxa tax
on motels. The District i'm
poses a 3 per cent sales tax.
We can't use q sales tax here,
but could accomplish the same
thing via business privilege tax
on motel operators"
Mr.. Magruder: "Predicated
on experience in Baltimore
County, a tobacco Quxury) tax
is a possible source of substan-
tial revenue. ] would favor this
only after a plan for efficiency
in government had been COM
pleted so as to increase the
value of our present tax dol
lar.
IF and when Virginia should
have a sales tax-which I con-
slider a tax of last resort
would fight to place such a tax
on the basis of insuring a
maximum return to Arlington
for local USE"
8. Do you think Arlington
needs to improve its relations
with the State government In
Richmond? Can you recon-
mend anything specific?
Mr.. Brown: Eyes, our rela-
tions with Richmond could well
be improved. The problem OF
this Northern Virginia area are
perhaps unique. or at least quite
different from problems in
many other parts of the State
I think officials at all levels in
Northern Virginia should firm
ly. respectfully and effectively
keep stating these very special
problems-the need for greater
autonomy and more sympathy
as we cope with the tremendous
needs of a rapidly urbanizine
metropolitan community.
For our part, we, too. must
remember that we are part Of
the Commonwealth. I have nc
specific recommendations ex-
cept the creation of an atmos.
phere of tolerance and mutual
respective and let live. Need.
less to say. I don't buy my OPP
ponent's argument that We
should elect him because he has
influence in Richmond. I don't
think he has been sufficiently
"Arlington-conscious." I am
interested in Arlington's case
and will speak for it politely
but solidly."
Mr.. Magruder: Eyes, indeed
Particularly because of the
ABC's antagonism in conduct.
ing Arlington's vital relation,
with our State Legislature. Fol
example. the Moncure bill
which superseded the law
authorized to give Arlington ar
elected school board. was mere.
ly a retaliatory act resulting
from the ABC's program of an.
tagonism. Good relations witt
our Legislature, IN which
served for IL years. are essen
tial to equalizing the inequity
whereby Northern Virginia nov
pays one-sixth Of it's incom'
to Richmond for only one-six'
tenth of its return in Stat,
grants.
IF my opponent is elected
and an ABC majority created
on the county board. tn,
thoughtful voter does not meet
to be told that the historic ABB
record of antagonism does no
auger well for creating essen
tial, good relations between Ar
lington and Richmond"
MIL ToAkpoek a.