Evening star., 1923-12-18
FAVORABLE REPORT
BY HOUSE D. c. BODY
ON GAS TAX HELDUP
Provision to Apply Half on
Personal Property Tax
Proves to Be Snag.

The House District committee failed
today to make a favorable report on
the gasoline tax measure prerequisite
to auto tag reciprocity with the state
OF Maryland
An amendment offered by Repre-
sentative Cnderhill of Massachusetts
was approved by a vote of 13 to 4 in
the committee. striking out that sec
ton OF the bill which would apply
one-half OF the gasoline tax in lieu
OF the personal property tax on motor
vehicles. This amendment means that
the committee favors compelling
owners of cars in the District to pay
the personal property tax in addition
to the cents a gallon gasoline tax.
Another amendment offered by Rep
resentative Blanton, democrat of
Texas. which included compelling
District residents to pay the personal
property tax and which provided for
putting 40 per cent of the gasoline
tax into the Federal Treasury and so
per cent into the District treasury,
was voted down fourteen to three.
Those who voted with Mr.. Blanton
en-this proposition were Representa-
yves Gllbert or Kentucky and Jost
On motion of Representative Lam
pert of Wisconsin, republican, the Dis
trict committee will meet again tomor-
row morning to finish consideration OF
the measure.
There were only three absentees
from the District committee meeting
Stalker Of
New York, Sullivan of New York and
O'Brien of New Jersey
Reed Compliments Personnel
Chairman Reed opened the meeting
by expressing his belief that the Dis
trict is fortunate in having such a
splendid committee" to consider it's
Legislative proposals. He said that
many members of Congress. unfor-
knew that an assignment to
the District committee as a hardship,
because they believed that it does not
help them in their own districts.
is the capital of the
nation in the universe. 1t is
governed by the highest representa-
tive body in any nation.
THE government of the National
Capital is unique among cities, said
members that the citizens of their
home would applaud them for what
they do for the Capital city.
what you build here you build for
the capital of your nation. 1t is not
like building battleships which soon
are scrapped. Your citizens coming
here see the institutions which you
helped to erect, which stand hence
forth for culture and education" He
said that work on the District COM
those who devote themselves to it,
He warned that there are many
and faddists who will
urge their notions on legislative ac-
ton You must listen patiently, but
remember that you are legislating
for city which is to be a model for
the entire world and proceed with
Chairman Reed advised.
Wednesday Meeting Day.
man, the regular meeting time of the
was set for Wednesdays
at 10 am, but that special meetings
would be called by the chairman or
on motion of majority of the mem
bers
Representative Blanton of Texas
spoke for the minority membership,
congratulating the committee on it's
chairman and the distinguished hold
over members and for the able new
men who have been placed on the
committee.
Referring to Chairman Reeds
thought that many members of Con-
gress> seek to avoid service on the
District committee, Representative
Blanton said: We are only fulfilling
cur oath under the Constitution when
we serve on this committee. Con-
gress exercises exclusive Jurisdiction
over the Capital City"
Representative Blanton said that
acting on the suggestion of number
of members of Congress, he brought
before the committee the proposal to
ask the District authorities to issue
a special Identification card to be dis
played on automobiles of members of
Congress, with the idea that this
would expedite their attendance on
public business. representatives I'm
derhill and Keller objected to any
special permit being granted to mem
bers of Congress.
A motion was offered by Represent
ative Underhill that q subcommittee
Of Chairman Reed, Repre-
sentative Zihlman and the ranking re-
publican and the ranking democrat be
authorized to pass upon bills affecting
the District so that they might be
brought up in the order of Importance.
said was the lost
what bills should come up first On
motion of Representative Lampert
this proposal was laid on the table.
Steering Body Advocated.
Representative Gilbert, democrat.
of Kentucky advised the committee
that some such method of preventing
members of Congress from blocking
Legislation for the Dis
trict should be devised and advocated
continual ON Page Q. Column 81