Evening star., 1924-02-27
SENATORS REQUEST
MASS MEETING ON
GAS-TAX MEASURE
District Citizens Asked to
Gather in Caucus Room
on March 8.

\ mass meeting of citizens OF the
District interested In the proposed
gasoline tax bill on March S at
pm in the caucus room of the
Senate office building. at which an
guments for and against the pro-
posed tax will be heard. Is called for
in a resolution adopted by the SEN
ate District committee today.
The committee took no action on
the gasoline tax bill today.
The proposal for the mass meet
ing, at which citizens of the District
could be heard on the gasoline tax
bill. was made by Senator Copeland
of New York. Senator Copeland
also suggested that Chairman Ball
of the District committee write to
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland and ask
that the present period of reci-
procity in the matter of automobile
licenses between Maryland and the
District be extended until April L.
Unable to Promise.
Senator Ball told the committee
that he had received a letter from
Gov. Ritchie in which the governor
asked whether the gasoline tax legis-
lation was going to be enacted, that
the governor desired this information
in order to aid him in deciding as to
whether there should be an extension
OF the present reciprocity period,
which expires March I.
Senator Ball said that he had re-
piled he was unable to say whether
there could be legislation. owing to
the attitude of residents of the Dis
trict opposing the gasoline tax. Sem
ator Ball added, however, that he had
period of reciprocity might be eX-
tended for one more month.
Would Hear Citizens.
The motion of Senator Copeland
for a meeting and hearing at which
citizens Of the District, irrespective
of their membership in any civic or
trade organizations, might be heard,
was made after Senator Ball had re-
ported to the committee that the
committee representing the civic and
trade organizations of Washington
had informed him they preferred no
reciprocity with Maryland rather than
the adoption of the gasoline tax bill
with the personal property tax on
automobiles retained and a provision
that the money raised from the gaso-
line tax In the District should be ex-
pended on street improvements and
street lighting.
Senator Copeland suggested that it
would be we'll TO hear from the citi-
zens Of the District. whether men,
bers Of organiza tions or not. and that
perhaps the sentiment here would be
found in favor of the proposed gaSo-
line tax bill providing reciprocity
with Maryland. If that sentiment
could he aScertaineQ
Holds Proposal Fair.
Senator Ball said that he had re-
ceived some telephone calls urging
that the reciprocity tax be put
through in spite of the stand taken
by the citizens joint committee. SEN
he thought the substitute gasoline
tax bill which he had laid before the
citizens joint committee was a fair
proposition.
Senator Edwards of New Jersey
expressed the opinion that Washing
ton needs better lighting more than
nearly any city he had ever seen. He
added, however, that he was opposed
to having the gasoline tax fund set
aside for street improvements and
street llSnClIS Oh ludI account Iu6
regular appropriations made by Con-
gress for those purposes are to be
cut down.
Senator Ball replied that under his
plan the money raised from the gas
tax would be used in addition to the
regular appropriations. He admit
ted, however, that there was no way
Of binding future congresses In re-
gard to this matter.
Must Pay Fair Tax.
In support Of his contention that
his substitute bill, which carries the
2-cent tax on gasoline, 81 license fee
and the present personal property
tax, was fair. Senator Ball, pointed
out that the personal property tax on
automobiles paid in Baltimore is So
a hundred, while here it is $1.20. He
insisted that the taxes paid on auto
mobiles in Washington are very much
lower than in Delaware, New York,
MARYLAND and other states. He de-
clared that the people of the District
a really big city unless the people
here are willing to pay fair taxes.
Senator Weller of Maryland said
that the matter was of interest to the
people of Maryland, who also want
their reciprocity with the District in
the matter of automobile licenses.
Continued on Page Q. Column g.