Evening star., 1934-11-29
PRESIDENT PLANS
TAX COMPARISONS
Proposes to Gather Figures
In Other Cities in D. C..
Study.
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Continued F.'om First Page)
he Is at Warm Springs and that he
first will seek the advice of Secre-
tary Morgenthau was learned officially
here today
When the President discussed the
subject at his conference with news
paper correspondents here yesterday
he was of the opinion that he might
turn the study over to tax experts
in the Treasury Department. 1t is
understood, however that he has not
yet made up his mind on that point.
Discussion Is Surprise.
The Presidents lengthy discussion
of the subject naturally came as
surprise even to the group of news
paper men gathered about him in the
cozy living room of his cottage. Mrs.
Roosevelt was sitting near the open
fire knitting throughout this discus
sion. 1t was in answer to a question
put to him by this writer that he re-
vealed his plan for tax rate study
and then spoke at such length eX-
planning his views and expressing his
opinions.
Above everything else, Mr.. Roosevelt
gave the impression that he wants to
be fair toward the District, but at the
same time he wants to institute this
Check-up in other cities so as to pro-
vide a yardstick with which to meas
ure accurately the question he is seek
ing to ansWer-"Are the people of
Washington paying too much in taxes
for the maintenance of the Capital
City?"
He seems to be confident that the
result can be attained by arriving
definitely at what he described as an
evaluated tax rate.
At no time during his discussion of
this highly important local subject did
Mr.. Roosevelt express an opinion as
to whether the national Government
has been paying its full share of the
expense of running the Nations Cap
ital City. Nor would he express his
opinion as to the action of Congress
in ignoring the substantive law eStab-
fishing the 60-40 ratio of expense be-
tween the District and Federal gov
ernments. by establishing the lump
sum payment.
His Discrimination to comment upon
these phases Of the subject gave rise
to the belief that he is confident that
his survey will serve as the key to cor
recting any existing wrongs, and that
in the meantime he has no wish 70
discuss controversial subjects until he
has obtained the facts he Is seeking.
Observing Thanksgiving Day.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt
TODAY are observing Thanksgiving by
going about their customary routine
During the forenoon the President
was occupied at his desk. He then
went to the pool at the Warm Springs
Foundation, following which he entered
upon a program associated principally
with the foundation and the paralysis
patients being treated there.
James A. Moffett, Federal housing
administrator. who delivered an i'm
portant address in Atlanta last night
was to arrive during the morning for
a conference, and there is likelihood
that James A. Farley, Postmaster
General will join the party TO-DAY. II
not he will be here within the next
few days.
Harry Hopkins. Federal relief ad,
ministrator, will confer with the Pres
ident Saturday.
First there will be a luncheon party
attended by the Board of Trustees OF
the foundation, who have for several
years past held their annual boaro
meeting on Thanksgiving day. After
ward two new units to the foundation
buildings, as we'll as handsome colon
made, will be formally dedicated and
named. The President will oflclate al
these formalities. In the evening he
will preside over the Thanksgiving
dinner in the large dining room OF
Georgia Hall, the main building of the
foundation group. This meal will be
an interesting and lively affair. Three
of the five turkeys sent to the Presl-
dent for his Thanksgiving meal by ad-
mirers will be used for the feast, along
with several others. The President
himself will carve the bird at his sec
ton of the head table. Mrs Roosevelt
will be at his section of the table but
will not be seated Immediately neal
him.
Patients Have Honor Seats.
Probably the happiest and proudes'
of those at this feast will be the l.
boy and girl patients at the founda,
ton sanitarium, who are to sit in the
Presidents section of the table. They
won this honor by drawing lots.
Others at the dinner will be mem
bers of the Board of Trustees, includ'
ing Mr.. Moffett, patients, relatives o
patients, members of the presidential
executive staff, the newspaper CORE
spondents and news photographers
members of the foundation staff ano
specially invited guests.
There will be music and fun-mak-
Ing, and before the festivities have
concluded the President will give HI.