Evening star., 1936-09-12


day are: E. L. Phelps. Petworth
Association; two representatives from
the American University Park Citi-
zens' Association; Peter F. Snyder,
Sixteenth Street Highlands Asso-
citation; E L. Reed, Congress
Heights Association; Dorsey w.
Hyde, Georgetown Citizens Associa-
ton and other groups; William Brown,
secretary Communists Party; Ray H.
Everett, Social Hygiene Society, and
NJ M. Mclean, Brookland Associa-
ton.
Donovan's statement on an auto
weight tax came during declara-
ton by C. c. Collins, spokesman
for the American Automobile As
sociation, against diversion of gasoline
tax funds from their present one legal
use, for highway purposes.
See Inequity in Tax.
Collins told the Commissioners his
group opposed weight tax because
it's application would be inequitable
for the owner of large car used but
infrequently as against the owner OF
small car who used it daily.
Asked by the Commissioners II he
would favor an increase in the gaso-
line tax, Collins said he would not
want to answer until after he had
proposed five or ten-year highway i'm
provement program, with its estimated
cost, together with estimates of rev.
.enues during such periods from the
present tax. He suggested that High
way Director H. c. Whitehurst pre-
pare such data.
The Federal Government, Collins
declared, should contribute to high
way funds because of the unusually
wide streets which are maintained
here for the sole reason that this Is
the National Capital. He suggested
further the District should get a re-
fund from the / cent Federal gaso-
line tax, just as do the States, through
Federal aid for highways. During the
past two years the District was given
grants for highway work here. but
this was under the program for re-
lief of the unemployed, rather than
the regular Federal aid for highways.
Maj. Donovan departed from a for
mer determination when he broached
his suggestion for the automobile tax.
He had stated several times the Tax
Revenue Committee would make no
suggestions until after the Presidents
fiscal Relations Committee had sub
mitted its report.
$50O,000 Income Now.
The present personal property tax
on motor vehicles brings in about
s500,000 a year. The weight tax,
Donovan figures, would produce ST.
100000, so that with abolition of the
personal property tax on vehicles the
net increase would be 100000.
Support for Health Officer George
c. Ruhland's proposal for building
two new health centers next year at
cost of $500,000 came yesterday
from Mrs. John Boyle, jr., chairman
of the Washington Consumers Coun-
Gil. she SAID:
IF approval of the proposed health
budget involves an increase in the
tax rate I shall very gladly assume
my share of it."
DR.. Rutland asked for Slit. 900,
or more than double the appropria-
tion for his department for this year.
Mrs. w. B. Fry, speaking for the
Congress of Parent-Teacher Associa-
tions. approved the proposed esti-
mates for the Health Department and
the schools IN their entirety.
A delegation from the Michigan
Park Citizens Association, headed by
John j. Hurley, sought funds for
new Bunker Hill School and for other
Improvements. He said the school was
built in lsl1 for so pupils and now
has lot.