Evening star., 1924-03-09

sa3S.oo0 charge per year for tags for
would only be about $4,000 IL Wash
ingtonians were compelled to GUY
tags in the state.
But that's not the point said
DR.. Wilson. I'VE wanted and still
want reciprocity with Maryland. But
want to ask our Legislature, the Con-
gress of tho United States. for one
thing and get another. We asked
for reciprocity with Maryland on fair
terms. We have no desire to have it
on any other basis The reciprocity
agreement was offered to you solely
as such, not as a tax-raising measure.
think that the two should be sepa-
rated. Give us reciprocity and then,
IL necessary at some later date. take
up increases In motorist taxes"
j. *. Monroe testified that he own
ed truck which never went outside
OF the city limits; that the cost per
year now for tag was IS, and that
under any reciprocity plan with a
gas tax his taxes would bs increased
twelve times.
I've asked for relief from the bur-
den or buying tags in Maryland"
said Philip N. Weisner, and Congress
attempts, by means of these meas
ures to load another burden on us.
The original bill, prepared by our
commissioners is what We want and
all we want"
Asserting that in his opinion the
an Injustice to the District. Charles
j. Columbus, secretary of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Associa-
ton, said that he objected to the
National Capital what it should do.
I'm my opinion" he said, "the
whole matter should have been ap-
preached in a far different manner.
am quite sure that II legislature
OF any state attempted to put into
effect d tax on that state simply be-
cause some other state had it, the
citizens would resent it."
Upset to Fiscal Plans.
Favoring the gas tax as an equita-
BILE means of taxing motorists in pro-
portion to the amount they use the
roads Fl. T.. Stringer said that he did
not approve or any plan which would
tween the federal and District gov
ernment, and that Senator Balls bill,
which set up a Special fund in which
the federal government would not
participate with it's customary 40 per
cent contribution would seriously en-
danger this relationship.
II am speaking in favor of the
Commissioners original BILL" said w.
Pearce Rayner, chairman of the traf-
nc committee of the Board of Trade.
III my opinion tneTe Is no necessity
to keep the personal property tax
in a reciprocity bill. nor is there
any assurance that succeeding Con-
gresses will carry out the wishes of
this Congress in regard to appropria-
tlons for the District. If the special
fund idea contained in Senator Balls
bill were put in force ! am afraid
that Congresses in the future would
refuse to recognize the need of any
additional appropriations over the
amounts raised by means of the fund u
Urging passage of the original
Commissioners bill, because it rep
resents the united sentiment" of
100000 disenfranchised citizens of
Washington. Charles j. Darr Of the
Chamber of Commerce said that
Washingtonians had always been
given to understand that If they
could show a solid front to Congress
their wishes would be granted.
'If the citizens of Washington have
ever been united" said Mr.. Darr,
they are united today. Every one
is agreed. There is no dissension.
Give us what we want, reciprocity
with Maryland under. the Commits
sioners' bill, which was prepared, 1
assure you, after the most mature
thought
Before closing wish to offer a
resolution for a rising vote Of thanks
to the Senate District Committee for
their courtesy in hearing us today"
Following the unanimous vote Sen
ator Ball adjourned the meeting.