Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-26
BALL IS UNMOVED
| BY CITIZENS VETO
OF AUTO TAX BILL
ColIaday Stands Firm for
Commissioners Original
Measure or None.
COMMITTEE is UNITED,
SENATOR is INFORMED
Ball Replies D. C. Motorists Seek
to Evade Just Taxes-Says He
Can Do No More.

E. L. Colladay. chairman OF the
special joint committee on the gas
tax, told Senator L. HeisIer Ball to-
day at hearing in the District of
Columbia committee room that Wash
ington desired no reciprocity with
Maryland If 1t could not get IL
through the Commissioners original
bill. and that no substitute or COM
promise was acceptable to residents
of the National Capital. Senator Ball
expressed keen disappointment at the
committees report.
we come before you," said Mr..
Colladay, absolutely united. This
committee represents every civic and
motoring organization in Washing
ton. We have held two meetings
since you last granted US hearing.
We have considered the matter from
every possible viewpoint We have
come to the only conclusion possible
for us, and that is that we cannot &C
cept your proposed substitute, Senate
bill 40, or House bill 655, on the gas
tax. Neither of the three carries out
our wishes. Better no reciprocity az
all than reciprocity under such con-
1--WE object first of all to the large
increase in taxes that District mo
florists would be compelled to pay
we object particularly to the pro
vision in your substitute which
would relieve the federal governmerL
of its fixed proportionate share IN
the expenses of the National Capital
Mr.. Colladay then read the resolu-
ton unanimously adopted at meet
ing of the joint committee yesterda,
afternoon.
Ball Says Taxes Low.
"I am extremely sorry" replies.
Senator Ball, that the citizens o.
Washington have taken this posi-
ton. 1t is a position that Congress
cannot support 1t takes d stand
that exempts you from taxation.
There is no excuse upon which
fair-minded man can exempt you
from this taxation that is paid In
other states.
"There is q lower tax rate here than
in any comparable city. Maryland
and Virginia each pay personal taxes.
Why shouldn't you2 In these two
states sIa,su one e. pays Gents cen gallon for
money so raised goes to the highway
improvement. That provision Is in
my proposed substitute. 1t was put
there so that you could not come back
at Congress and say that although
money was raised it was not appro-
priated. My substitute provides fo:'
the automatic appropriation of this
money each year.
"On what ground can I or any one
else in Congress stand now2 wash
fngtonians are not willing to pay
their just share OF taxes, as evidenced
by the decision of this committee. /
cannot go now to Congress and say
pay their full share and that funds
should be appropriated for improve
ment of the city when it is evident
that they are not.
"Want to BE Fair"
at want to be fair, and ! am sure
that every one in Congress wants to
be fair to the District. But we cant
be fair when residents of the city
will not meet us half way.
The 1910 relationship between
Congress and the District is not Ii
permanent one. 1t is 4 proposition
that supposes that 40 per cent OF
the property here Is taxable as Il
belongs TO the government and g.
per cent to the District. For the last
seven or eight years the government
has built no property, and, there
fore, the 60-40 rate, at this time. is
not fair to the government. The
District now owns more than so per
cent Of the property.
IF the government builds new
buildings here, which it should do,
believe that tho rate may go back
to $3.50. Otherwise, if the District
forges ahead, the rate may so the
other way.
I'm the automobile question we only
, want to pay here what the residents
of the states on each side of you pay.
l am extremely sorry and disappoint
ed about the whole thing"
Mr. Colladay pointed out to Senator
Ball that while the 60-40 arrange
ment may not be permanent it is the
hope of every Washingtonian that the
fixed proportionate contribution prin-
ciple is permanent.
Zihlman Asks Questions.
as 1t only the distribution OF tho
funds collected from the proposed
taxation of Washingtonisns that the
committee is opposed to-" asked Rep
resentative Zhilman of Maryland, who
attended the hearings.
NO" answered Mr.. Colladay. "the
whole bill has been worked around
into such a shape that We cannot APP
prove it."
Senator Balls proposal" said Mr..
Continued on Page 2, Column 81
SEVERE STORM DUE