The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-04-19
SIX TAX BILL
APPROVED BY
FEDERATION
BY A. J. DRISCOLL
Citizens Associations Editor


Approval in general terms was
voted by the Federation of Citi-
zenS Associations, at a meeting
Saturday night in the District
Building, to six measures by Rep
reSentative Ross Collins that would
net $2,675, 900 in increase taxes
toward a deficit of $4,000, 900 faced
in the 1888 District supply bill.
At the same time, the federation
opposed proposed repeal Of the
substantive law which provides
the Federal Government shall pay
40 per cent of the costs of main
tanning the Capital.
Action followed the reading of
a detailed report on each bill by
L. A. Carruthers, chairman of the
committee on fiscal relations.
During debate, criticism of sal
aries paid District employees came
from Harry N. Stull, of Lincoln
Park, who told of a city employe
who had received salary increase
in one year of $1,000, another $500
and several others $500 each,
which he. said indicated lack of
economy.
Collection System Hit
President Thomas E. Lodge de-
plored methods of collecting Dis
trict taxes. Instead of a collector,
he said we have : receiver who
awaits your appearance to place
your money on the line, but makes
no effort to collect it.
TIL federation approved a tax on
all parking lots, to be levied
against the gross receipts, rather
than space occupied, and favored
an increase in the public utility
tax estimated to produce ST.
200, 900.
It favored the principle Of a
corporation tax, estimated to pro-
duce 100000, but directed the
committee to make further study
of the matter. 1t supported a tax
on theaters, with the provision
that all vaudeville houses and pro-
fessional baseball be included.
Approval was voted the prin-
ciple of a 2 per cent tax on in
Surance companies, with a recon-
mendation that life insurance
companies be exempted.
Opposition was voiced to taxing
automobiles by weight, in lieu of
the existing personal tax. Protest
was also registered against divert
ing the gasoline tax to other than
highway purposes. and against
any increase in the tax, until
additional funds are needed for
highway improvement.
The federation refused to in
dorse an income tax for the Dis
trict, holding such a tax should
be left to the Federal Govern
ment.
Memorial Change Urged
Approval was given a report by
Kenneth P. Armstrong, chairman
of the committee on city planning,
requesting that the Thomas JEFF
ferson Memorial fund be made
available for construction of an
auditorium or a stadium on a site
other than the Tidal Basin, and
construction of a National Guard
Armory at the east end of Massa-
chusettS Ave-, no part of cost to
be borne by the District Govern
ment.
Suggesting that additional
branch libraries be established
throughout the city, the fedora
ton opposed an appropriation of
$2,500,000 for erection of a new
main public library.
On motion by Charles L.
Norris, chairman of the COM
mittee on legislation, approval
was voted the small claims court
bill, with amendments.
Conduit Road Citizens
Speaking before the Conduit
Road Citizens Association at a
special meeting held Saturday
night in the Palisades Field
House to discuss suffrage for
the District, Representative H.
Jerry Voorhis, Of California, said
he was not altogether sure it
would be a good thing, because
other members would wash their
hands of matters pertaining to
the District, feeling that two or
three representatives to be
elected should take charge of
all local legislation.
Wilbur S. Finch, chairman of
a recently organized citizens
committee to study various plans