Evening star., 1931-12-21
D. c. '32FETE GROUP
Incorporation IS
FAVORED IN HOUSE
District Committee Holds
First Session, Reporting
Bill FavorabIy.
YEAR TAX MORATORIUM
PROPOSAL is DEBATED
Tax Assessor Richards Testifes to
Annual Property Levy
Delinquency.

Dellnquency,
Favorable report on the bill recon-
mended by the District Commissioners
and by Director Bloom of the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission
authorizing incorporation of the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission
in the District to grant concessions for
special programs, reviewing stands, etc.
next year, was taken at the fast meet
ing of the House District Committee
today.
The committee debated the bill in
troduced by Mrs. Norton of New Jersey,
the new chairman of the committee
providing a one-year moratorium in the
present emergency for the sale of prop
erty advertised for delinquent taxes
When the committee showed plainly
that it was not favorable to this measure
and further hearings seemed desirable,
the matter was postponed until after
the Christmas holidays This motion
included provision by Representative
Patman of Texas that a report in the
meantime should be asked from the
District Commissioners.
Mrs. Norton Speaks.
At the opening of the session Mrs
Norton, the first woman in the history
of Congress to become chairman of a
committee declared: ITO me this is
one of the many happy days of my
life. To have been appointed chairman
of the important District of Columbia
Committee I regard as distinct privi-
lege and also great responsibility. Did
l not know that you would cooperate
and assist me in this difficult task.
would have but little hope of success
None of us can hope for success un-
aided, but with cooperation there is
no limit to what we can accomplish l
have served six years on this committee
with able men and during that service
have learned something OF the problems
confronting us. They are difficult be-
cause of the dual system of government
under which this very beautiful CITY
criticize that system, but in our chang
ing conditions of life it might be we'll
to examine this system to determine
whether or not one more flexible or
popular could be obtained. The purpose
OF government should be to create
happiness. If it fails in this accom-
plshment, it is not successful
Il believe organization is essential to
a definite result Perhaps many of the
complaints We hear in this committee
are due to lack of organized effort.
Since the people in the District have
not the privilege of franchise. it would
seem that they could organize and pre-
sent before this committee united
front upon problems affecting their
happiness and prosperity. We shall al
ways be glad to receive sympathetically
suggestions when definitely and prom
erly presented and do our part to help
cure the ills Of voteless people.
Will Hear Organizations.
THE Chamber of Commerce, mer-
chants associations, organizations de-
voted to discussion of business prob
lens. womens clubs, parent-teacher
associations are all mediums through
which opinions on fundamental sub
Jects may be submitted to us, but we
would suggest that a unanimity of
opinion would be very helpful to us
and conducive to the prompt transac-
ton of business.
With these suggestions in mind,
pledge to my colleagues and to the peo-
pie of the District my sincere service,
dividing my time, so that I may con-
tinue to serve faithfully my own people
at home and my adopted people in the
District of Columbia"
Representative. Bowman, Republican,
of West Virginia, said that this is the
first time in my life when have been
controlled by a woman" and Mrs Nor
ton replied: 1T is the first time I have
had the privilege of presiding over a
body of men and rather like the pros
pect."
Representative GaSque, Democrat, of
South Carolina, said that he felt per-
fectly at home under these conditions
because he had always been ruled by a
woman. Representative Gilbert, Demo-
crat of Kentucky, congratulated the
District people that a woman "of such
splendid judgment. executive ability and
sympathetic understanding was to be in
charge of legislation for them"
Members of Committee.
The members of the committee at
ton. New Jersey; Gilbert, Kentucky;
McClintock, Ohio; Gasque, South Caro-
lima; Smith. Virginia; Holmes, Massa-
chusetts: Davenport, New York; Harlan,
Ohio; Clark, North Carolina; Bowman,
West Virginia: Palmisano, Maryland,
and Patman, Texas.
Mrs. Norton took up the considera-
ton of her bill for an extension for one
year of the sale of real estate in the
District because of arrears in taxes
Tax Assessor Richards was the first of
two witnesses. He told the committee
that there are from 10000 to 10000
pieces of property delinquent in tax
payment annually. He said that the
advertisements for tax sales are based
on from 10000 to 1900 pieces, and of
side parties.
The District itself bids in II 900 or
10000 pieces of property This real
estate tax sale annually nets approx
mately 100000 in District revenues.
He explained that after the sale the
property owners have two years time
in which to recover their property,
while the purchaser is issued tax GER
tificate. During that time, until the
property owner clears up his tax in
debtedness, the interest runs at l per
cent month.
Mrs. Norton said that the method
employed in other cities~for recovery of
tax debts is different and that in her
home city under meritorious circum-
stances there is an extension of time
for paying these taxes.
Received Many Letters.
She said that she had received many
heart stirring letters from poor people
who anticipate having their homes sold
over their heads.
Assessor Richards said that the con-
ditions regarding tax delinquency had
improved greatly in the past five years
The amount due is S80O,000 to 5000 900
and he emphasized that there are 300
delinquents who owe more than $780,
600, SO that some of the big properties
are concerned, rather than small homes
Representative McClintock expressed
the fear that If a real estate tax mora
torium is declared for District of Co.
lumbia people it may spread to the
States and set an example for other
communities.
Representative Harlan of Ohio said
that the testimony of Assessor Rich,