Evening star., 1937-11-14
TAXES AND BUDGET
TO Be DISCUSSED
City Heads Will Be Honor
Guests at Trade Board
Meeting.

slated as principal topics of discus
sion, the District Commissioners and
heads of all municipal departments
will be guests of honor at the second
fall meeting of the Board of Trade
at 8 pm, Friday. in the ballroom
of the Willard Hotel The Commits
sioners will be principal speakers.
Convening of Congress tomorrow.
hearings at the Budget Bureau and
the completion of some of the boards S
work in the tax field contribute to
the belief this meeting will be one
of great Importance TO Washington
residents because it will indicate the
attitude business and professional men.
citizens and District officials will take
toward municipal finances during the
coming year.
In an effort to determine whether
taxes can be reduced or whether
further increases will be necessary in
the next fiscal year. the Municipal
Finance Committee of the board has
sent Questionnaires to employers. heads
of business firms and independent
professional men asking for informa-
ton regarding their increased tax
levies during the current fiscal year.
Questionnaires Sent 1000.
The questionnaires were mailed to
the more than 1000 members of the
trade organization for the purpose of
getting a cross section of taxes paid
by all types
The board members are asked to
state the increase in their tax bills
for the fiscal year 1888 over that for
1887 for the following: Real estate
tax, the automobile weight tax for the
calendar year beginning January 1,
1888; the social security taxes both
local and Federal. for the 1898 calen-
dar year; the tangible personal prop
erty tax and the business privilege tax.
The QUESTIONABLE also seeks infor-
nation regarding the increase in each
members total Federal and local tax
bills this year over last year, income
taxes excluded.
The business men also are asked to
indicate which of the following
methods they are using to meet the
increased taxes of the current fiscal
year: /, increased prices; 2, reduction
OF overhead by curtailment of expan-
sion or improvements. reduction of
salaries to employees. reduction in per-
sonnel or other methods; 3, complete
absorption and consequent profit re-
duction.
New Tax Raising Methods.
In conclusion, the QUESTIONABLE
seeks the opinion of board members
on which of the following taxes they
favor for raising budgetary require
| ments: Retail sales tax, exempting
| food. medicine and other basic COM
modities; income tax which, the FL
| nance Committee pointed out, might
not apply to members of Congress,
congressional employees and officials
| and employees of the Federal Govern
ment, or higher real estate tax.
The committee declared the Board
Of Trade will continue to advocate a
more equitable payment by the Fed
eral Government toward District ex-
penses.
The board has actively devoted its
efforts toward keeping the budget
within the amount appropriated last
year and, on several occasions. has
brought its views on this subject to the
attention of the Commissioners and
members of Congress. The Municipal
Finance Committee, headed by Edgar
Morris, has thoroughly investigated
budget requests by department heads.
For several months. the board has
been conducting a study Of new forms
of taxation which will be considered
by the next session of Congress. Pre-
liminary observations on the results
of the QUESTIONABLE are expected to
be made at Fridays meeting by Presi-
| dent Edward F. Colloday of the board.
Distinguished service medals for
| police and fire heroes will be pre-
| sented at the meeting.