Evening star., 1937-10-13
PaImisano Returns, Prom
ises to Push All Possible
Local Legislation.
COMMISSIONERS WHIP
ITEMS INTO SHAPE
Plan for Tax Revisions Won't Be
Ready Until January-Hear-
ings Open October rs.

lllIUee SdlQ all pOSSlUlc lOCdl leSlSld
tion would be pushed in the specia
session, and the Commissioners started
to whip a number OF items in SHAPE
for early presentation.
At the same time, they announced
that proposals for revision of the mu
nicipal tax structure would not b'
ready until Congress embarks on th'
regular session in January, and tn,
Budget Bureau set October Is for be-
ginning hearings on the Distric
budget for 1899.
There are four District bills on th'
House calendar awaiting action ant
one in conference. Palmisano believes
these measures will receive final con
gressional approval at the special ses
sion.
The Bills Pending.
The bill in conference provides fol
modernization and humanization O.
Juvenile Court procedure.
The four bills on the House calendar
are:
/. A Senate-approved measure pro-
viding for semi-annual inspection O.
the mechanical condition of motol
vehicles.
2. Establishing 60-hour, 5-day
week in the Fire Department.
8. Amending the police and fire.
mems retirement law to permit retire.
ment at so years of age after 25 year:
Of service.
T. Providing for control and regula.
ton of barber shops.
The bill to establish the long-pro.
posed airport at Camp Springs, Md.
is on the House calendar, but this
measure is a product of the House
Military Affairs Committee and out
of Palmisanos control. He believes
however, Chairman Hill of the Mill
tary Affairs Committee may call this
measure up. The Senate passed the
bill at the last session.
Palmisano to Confer.
Palmisano said before he makes any
definite plans to promote new District
legislation he would confer with House
leaders to determine whether legisla-
ton not now on the calendar would
be considered at the special session.
Irrespective of the conference, how
ever. Palmisano plans to keep his com.
mittee in action during the special ses.
sion and hold public hearings on bills
that can be taken up in the regular
>session.
Outstanding among these will be 8
bill providing for general reorganiza-
ton of the municipal government in
the interest of efficiency and economy
This is one of the principal items on
which the Commissioners are working
and they plan to have a bill before
the committee by the latter part OF
November It will be based on recon-
mendations of a special committee
headed by former Corporation Counsel
E. Barrett Prettyman.
Representative Kennedy. Democrat
of Maryland, ranking majority men,
ber of the District Committee. also
plans to introduce reorganization bill
early in the special session. His reor-
ganization will follow closely the pro-
gramhe outlined at the last session of
Congress for creation of a Special
Advisory Committee to aid the Com
missioners and divorcing the Budget
Bureau from control over District
finances.
Hearings Planned.
Palmisano said his committee would
hold extensive public hearings on the
proposed reorganization plans.
A District civil service measure is
another item on the Commissioners
program, and Corporation Counsel
Elwood H. Seal will have ready bill
to create the Office of medical eXami-
ner, to replace the services Of the
District coroner and the coroner's jury
In all cases of sudden or violent death
Tax Farley Called.
Meanwhile, District officials sought
to make progress on the study of
tax revision. The Commissioners Tax
Committee will hold its second formal
meeting tomorrow at IL am. Maj.
Daniel j. Donovan, auditor, who is
committee chairman, may offer data
on the prospective maintenance and
operation funds needed during the next
seven years, as a guide to revenue
needs.
suggested yesterday that the major
new elements of the proposed perma-
nent tax program probably would have
to be narrowed down to a choice
between an income tax and sales
tax because Of the current opposition
TO- the business privilege or gross
receipts tax, and to the increased real
estate rate Of $1.70. He reiterated the
view he voiced before Congressional
Committees last session that he would
prefer an income levy, if the exemp-
tions were not made too broad"
Would Include U. S. Workers.
Seal said he would not be in favor
Of an income tax which exempted
Government employees and those resi-
dents of other States who earn theil
income in the Capital. Application ol
District incom- tax to members oi
Congress and Government employees
caused a stir at the past session ans
Congress shelved the bill.
II there is to be sales tax, Sea
said he believed it should not carry
exemptions for food and clothing, since
such provisions would cut heavily intt
the revenue and make the tax NOR,
complicated to administer.
From all reports. the Commission
ers' bill for increased powers will pro
pose to give them appointment O.
members Of the Board of Education
and directional powers Of that board
It also would strip the Board Of Pub.
lic Welfare Of its powers, leaving 1t u
an advisory agency.