Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-21
ISUBWAYS AND TAXES
Mr.. Odell Of the House District COMMITTEES
Discusses Local Legislation.
As Chairman of the New York Re-
Also Discourses Upon Politics.

Representative Odell Of New York. one
| OF the most prominent members of the
| House District committee, paid a flying WIS.,
| 1t to Washington today. Mr.. Odell is chair
man OF the republican executive committee
| OF New York. and in that capacity is hav-
ing troubles enough; but sought to vary
them by running over to Washington with
Mrs. Odell and selecting a house for their
occupancy this winter. He pursued the
touse hunt for one day and then concluded
he would prefer the less evil and returned
in hurry this afternoon to the campaign
Mr.. Odell in the last Congress was chair
| man of the special committee on subways
charged with the duty of Investigating and
reporting upon the subway system for the
District of Columbia. AS the readers of
The Star know. tie committee abandoned
for the time being its work and nothing
was done.
Subway Question Coming Up.
II think the subway matter will come
prominently before the District committee
at this session." said Mr. Odell to a Star
reporter this afternoon. 81 do not know
whether special subcommittee will be
appointed to take up the question or
whether it will be handled by the full conf
mittee.
1T is well understood, Of course, that the
principal question to be determined is
whether the city should own the subways
or whether they should be controlled by
private corporations. One thing upon which
l think there IS practical unanimity in Con-
gress Is that there should be no monopoly
OF subways. If the District controls them,
of course every one will have an equal
right to their use. If it Is decided by Con-
gress not to assume governmental control
there Will at least be provision for compe-
tition in their occupancy by electric COM
panies.
Il think that some definite system will
nave to be adopted in the near future for
the use Of electric wires in this city. All
the wires should be put underground, or
they should all be left overhead. This
half-aEd-half business is discreditable
However, 1 think the end of this session of
Congress will find change.
Corporations Should Be Taxed.
There is another matter relating to the
District which I think Congress should
give early attention. I refer to the ques-
ton of taxation. There should be an en-
largement of the classes of taxable prop
erty. Now. in my state corporations pay
taxes. There is a franchise tax. an earn
ings tax and income tax
me District is not getting all that is
due 1t in taxes. The burden of the expendi-
lures should be borne by others as well as
tne properly owners, who are now the chief
taxpayers. You will find in my opinion
that the next few years will show a great
change in this matter for I have found
that there is a growing sentiment in Con-
gress in this regard
Mr.. Odell, as chairman of the republican
executive committee of New York is close
ly identified with Mr.. Tracys campaign for
mayor of New York.
Politics In New York City
'Of course" said Mr.. Odell, in discuss
ing politics, lit is useless to attempt to
ceny the fact that the situation in New
York is serious My belief is, however,
that Mr.. Tracy will carry the city. 1 am
more firmly of this opinion now than at
any time past, for the reason that we are
receiving daily additions to our ranks by
those republicans who are leaving the
Citizens Union faction
'One trouble was that the Low people
caused the report to be circulated at first
that Mr.. Tracy was not in the campaign
for keeps. They charged that his nomina-
ton had string to it, and that he would
ultimately withdraw in favor of Low or
some one else.
But now the time has passed when a
withdrawal would be allowed under the
law, and they have indisputable evidence
that Mr.. Tracy is standing as the candi-
date of the regular republican party in
New York city.
This being the case, all those republic
cans who believe in party organization, in
discipline and in regularity of proceedings
but who are temporarily attracted to the
other side, coming in and announcing
their allegiance. 1 believe Mr.. Tracy will
be elected"