Evening star., 1924-01-04
Columbus Asks for Months
Delay and Compromise
Comes on Objection.
RATHB0NE AND ZIHL MAN
TAKE VIEW OF DISTRICT
Hammer and Underhill Voice On.
position to Exemption
Clause.

The so-called automobile reciproc-
i'y measure before the House District
committee went over until the next
regular meeting on January on mo-
tion or Representative Frederick n
amman OF Maryland, by a formal
vote today, after Charles J. Columbus
secretary Of the Merchants and Man
ufacturers' Association had asked the
committee to delay for at least a
month In order that the business in
terests OF Washington might make a
careful study of the proposed Iegis-
| Iation
Representative Rathbone, republican.
OF Illinois, moved that the DELAY be
granted nasing his argument on the
acI that IL the committee desires to ac-
complish anything worth while for the
people OF the District Of Columbia 1t
should go before the House united and
not split as 1t now is over the gasoline
tax measure, ana as it has been spiit
IN the past on important measures
aneeting the District of Columbia. HIS
Inotlon was seconded by Representa-
lima.
Protesting that such action would be
aeatn Dy slow poisoning, while declar-
ing that he is opposed to the bill and
expects to see 1t killed, Representative
Thomas l. Blanton OF Texas. offered
an amendment to Representative path
bones motion postponing action until
wednesday, January 16. The substi-
tute motion by Representative Zihlnan
was carried by viva voce vote.
Zfhlman Opens Discussion.
Representaffya z;h,r -
cussion on the bill by stating that q
survey made at his instigation by the
assessor, tax collector, license COM
missioner and auditor for the District
of Columbia showed that fve-sixths OF
all the automobiles in the District
were assessed at less than $1,000. He
argued that IL an exemption of 1000
on autos, the same as on household
furniture up to $1,000, is allowed on
personal property taxation, the Dis
cars assessed es at over siScc' While Gn fne as
exemption amounting to $4,000
would be allowed on the small cars.
Representative Underhill objected
on the ground that no exemption
should be made. He said that he
vote practically any sum well up
in the millions" for improvement of
the National Capital, but said that
the citizens of this city who enjoy
operate with the government" He
said he observed "a lack of civic
spirit in Washington and that the
people have gotten into the habit of
expecting Congress to do everything"
Keller Defends District.
Representative Keller. republican,
Nf trs tT,a
that Congress is the only place that
the District people can go for action.
Representative Zihlman gave a lit
tie lecture, saying that whenever any
question concerning the District
comes up in the District committee
there is a discussion Of the old sys-
tenn and policy which has been In
operation for more than fifty years
by act of Congress.
"If the system is wrong, it is within
the power of Congress to change It."
he said, but We should not think that
we must always discuss that question
when any particular bill for the District
Is before u.s."
Representative Underhill said that
here was an opportunity to raise
half million dollars for much needed
street improvements. Representative
Zihlman replied that the Commission
ers have besought Congress regularly
for these street improvements, but
Congress refuses to authorize them.
He said that the people of the Dis
trict are willing to pay more taxes,
but that Congress will not make the
appropriations, and tEat there Is no
need Of collecting another half mil
lion when already there is nine mil
lion, dollars surplus to the credit OF
the District in the federal Trea sury.
Representative Hammer Of North
Carolina, democrat, questioned the
constitutionality of the reciprocity
bill on the personal tax exemption
feature and urged that the corpora
tion counsel be asked for an opinion.
He drew the BILL" replied Repre-
sentative Zihlman.
Representative Roy G.. Fitzgerald.
republican, of Ohio again reminded
the committee that no question OF
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