Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-17

not inconsistent with their pre-
vious voting records.
Stuart DeBell regularly votes
for most apartment rezoning
and John Parrish more often
than not is sympathetic toward
them. James Keith and Robert
Gotten never have been hostile
in principle to apartments.
Sponsors and other propo-
nents of the apartments further
cite the report of the grand
Jury which declared that the
rezoning entailed nothing
criminal.
Complaining that they have
been victimized by a scurrilous
campaign of "McCarthyiSm in
reverse" they express bewilder-
ment that critics refuse to &C.
cept the judgment of the jury.
Deal Still Enclosed
The syndicate now has signed
the contract and made a sub
stantial deposit toward pur-
chase Of Merrywood. Because
Mr.. AuchincloSs wishes to re-
tain possession of it until Dec
ember /, the full S650,000 will
not be paid and the sale will
not be technically consum-
mated until then.
At any time before then,
Sheriff Taylor and Mr.. Gibson
can withdraw from the project.
II they do, Mr.. Taylor will re-
ceive a $4,000 payment and
Mr.. Gibson "a helluva good
fee." Mr.. Page then would have
the option Of assuming their
shares.
But no one wants to with
draw. Mr.. Gibson estimates
that with its present coming.
the land of Merrywood alone
could command a price of 81
million. Sheriff Taylor thinks
this estimate is high. but
agrees the property now is
worth several hundred thou
sand more than it was until
the moment of the rezoning
last April 10.
Today, the syndicate men,
bers are confident that they
will build the SIS million
project.
| Sixteen Mclean residents
have filed a suit to reverse the
rezoning and this litigation is
impeding arrangements for fl
nancing. But the sponsors
think the case will be resolved
in their favor before January.
The angry Mclean residents,
of course, disagree.
Regardless of how the court
rules. the repercussions of the |
Merrywood case are likely to !
resound in politics for a long
time.
Sheriff Taylor had about
yielded to pleas from his wife
that he not seek reelection. \
Now he feels he must run
again.
Representative Broyhill, de-
spite intense exhortations from
opponents Of the reZoning, for
some time remained neutral in
the dispute.
Last month, though, he an /
nounced he would introduce
legislation to protect the Pal
isades from future development
and authorize the Department
of Interior to condemn Merry
wood for a park.
Offered Congratulations
Mr.. Gibson then irately dis
closed that a few days before
the announcement, Mr.. Broy-
hill sent congratulations con-
corning the rezoning to him. !
And Mr.. Taylor says that after
the announcement, he received
a placating call from the Con-
gresham.
Hes gotten himself into a
fix. My family and l always
have supported him and I guess
I'll still vote for him. On the
other hand. I don't know if
will or not now" Mr.. Gibson
says.
Mr.. Broyhill says that be-
cause Mr.. Gibson is a longtime
friend, he did congratulate him
on an excellent professional
performance. but in doing so
did not necessarily indicate ap-
proval of the rezoning.
Mr.. Leigh VOWS that he will
seek reelection and that the
results will vindicate him.
IN be running on, rather
than despite, the Merrywood
question" he declares.
Says Mr.. DuVal: He won't
ont q foooI,ro F,,Il sc ,,otosO