Evening star., 1923-11-22
AUTO RECIPROCITY
IN EFFECT BY 1924,
VIEW IN CONGRESS
Senate and House District
Committee Leaders Con-
fident of Approval.
FAVORABLE SENTIMENT
FOUND IN BOTH HOUSES
Gasoline Tax Measure Is Sure to
Be Reported Favorably,
Senator Ball Says.

Automobile reciprocity with Mary
land is likely to be effected as a re
suit Of early action by Congress on
the gasoline tax bill prepared by the
District Commissioners, which will be
favorably reported by the Senate and
House District committees at the
earliest opportunity.
This assurance was given at the
Capitol today by prominent repub-
lican and democratic members Of both
the House and Senate, who say that
there seems to be an almost unani-
nous sentiment in Congress in favor
of this legislation.
Senator Ball of Delaware. chair
man of the Senate District commit
tee. has declared himself as strongl,.
in favor of such a measure and has
announced his purpose to urge i
upon his committee, with the pros.
pect that 1t will be one of the first
bills favorably reported to the Senate
for action.
Representative Stuart F. Reed OF
West Virginia, who probably will be
chairman of the House District com
mittee. is similarly convinced that the
House committee will authorize a fa-
vorabfe report and instruct the chair
man TO get IL voted upon in the House
on the first day allowed for District
business Representative Reed said
today that he realizes the necessity
for early action in committee and or
the floor. and that he will do his Ut
most to get the gasoline tax and reci-
procity legislation reported favorably
committee.
Always Favored Bill.
Il have always favored any actior
that will bring about reciprocity be
tween Maryland and the District OF
Columbia" Mr.. Reed said today. THE
roads from the nations Capital radi-
ate to all parts OF the country. This
is the home city of people in all Other
| states. We want to make access to
! this Capital as easy as possible for
every one. We want to have the roads
radiating from the Capital kept III
excellent condition
Il can see no reason why this meas
ure cannot be acted upon at the first
meeting OF our committee. While the
! appropriation bills are being prepared
there Will be opportunity to get many
relatively small measures acted upon
In the House, and / am convinced that
we can and will get action on this
Dill recommended by the District
commissioners and to which / have
heard no opposition"
Members OF the rules committee.
which is in charge of the legislative
program, said that they could foresee
no obstacle to early action upon the
gasoline-tax mea sure, which is pre-
requisite to reciprocity in automobile
tags, just as soon as the proper COM
| mittee reports the bill to the House.
Maryland Leaders Determined.
Senator Weller Of Maryland, who is
a member of the Senate District COM
mittee, worked for months during the
last Congress to get some legislation
framed that would bring about reci-
procity. He has been in conference
with the Maryland authorities, includ-
ing the governor and is not only un-
discouraged but very determined to
have Congress take action prompt
~ when it meets to make reciprocity
between tr,c, NARY Maryland u, and the Dis,
assurances from many members of the
Senate that they will be glad to vote
for the bill.
Representative. Fred n. Zihlman of
as likely to be chairman of the
House District committee, of which
he Is an active member, in case Rep
resentative Reed chooses some other
certain action can be had early in
the coming session that will beget
reciprocity. In the last Congress
Representative Zihlman worked hard
for this legislation and would have
put it across but for the lack of time
| in the closing jam.
ZihIman Confident.
Representative Zihlman authorized
the following statement: \.
81 believe that the gasoline tax bill
should be brought up and passed at
| as early date as possible.
'AThe inconvenience. annoyance and
tenn should be ended. and 1t is graft
| flying to note that the Governor of
Maryland has stated that while the
state is anxious that the District put
| will be in force in Maryland January
1. 1924, it is his intention to make
| reciprocity effective the first of the
| legislation. This wHl put an end to
| a long-existing controversy and Con-
| gress should do its part in giving
careful consideration to the biil pre-
, pared by the District Commissioners.
| which Will be introduced at the open
ing session of Congress-.
The District Commissioners VIII
support any. effort made by members
! of Congress. to have the automobile
reciprocity bill enacted into law in
time to become effective for the cal
| endar year 1924.
Il am heartily in favor OF the reel
nrocity measure," said Commissioner
| Rudolph today. land we hope Con-
eress will be able to take action upon
| Il as soon as the session opens"
! The Commissioners are now en-
gagged in getting the reciprocity and
| other bills ready for introduction in
the new Congress and will cooperate
| in every way possible in obtaining i'm
mediate action.