Evening star., 1937-10-07
PA[M|SAN0 bACKS|
JOINT. MEETINGS.
ON D. c. PROBLEMS
Agrees to Weigh Taxes and
Reorganization With Sem
ate District Committee.
SEES DEVELOPMENT
OF SUPERIOR PROGRAM
Study May Be Deferred Until
January Unless Special Ses-
sion Is Called.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Chairman Palmisano of the House
District Committee revealed today the
two major local problems confronting
Congress at the next regular session.
reconstruction of the tax program and
reorganization of the municipal gov
ernment-will be worked out in joint
meetings of his committee and the
Senate District Committee.
Joint sessions Of the two commit
tees for consideration of major Dis
trict legislation were first suggested
by Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee before he left WASH
ington about 10 days ago for Hawaii.
Palmisano was not enthusiastic about
the plan at that time. but he now
believes it will facilitate disposition
Of the legislation as we'll as result in
development of "a superior program" E"
Il sincerely feel the two committees
can do a better job on important legis-
lation than one" said Palmisano.
"And intend to go along with Senator
King and have the tax and reorganiza-
ton programs considered at joint
hearings"
Had Planned Subcommittee.
Palmisano's original intention was
to refer the tax and reorganization
legislation to special subcommittee
and let 1t work out the details before
Congress conveneS in January. Repre-
sentative Kennedy, Democrat, of
Maryland was slated to head the sub
committee.
Now, however, there is strong like
lihood the tax and reorganization
problems will not be tackled until
January, since majority OF the mem
bers of both the Senate and House
committees are not expected to return
to Washington before that time unless
President Roosevelt calls a special
session Of Congress.
On several occasions in the last five
years the Senate and House District
Committees worked .harmoniously in
jointly considering imr ,rtant legisla-
tion. The District liquor control act
was product OF the joint committees,
and in the Seventy-fourth Congress
the Inflated LII designed to legalize
horse racing in Washington ul.der the
pari-mutuel system was considered at
joint meetings.
Scheme Later Dropped.
An effort by Senator King to revive
these joint meetings at the last ses-
sion Of Congress was futile, however,
largely because OF the opposition of
former Chairman Norton OF the House
District Committee. Mrs. Norton ex-
pressed the opinion majority Of the
members Of her committee at that
time did not approve of joint sessions
because the Senate committee might
attempt to dominate.
Palmisano had the same fear, but
after a conference with Senator King
he reached the conclusion joint ses-
sions on all major legislation would
be advantageous to the District and
likewise to members of both COM
mittees.
One proposed plan for recognizing
the municipal government in the in
terest Of efficiency and economy, devel-
oped by Kennedy, is now before the
House committee. Another plan is
now being worked out by committee
appointed by the Commissioners,
headed by E. Barrett Prettyman, for
mer corporation counsel.
Tax Parleys Called.
Steps to revamp the tax structure
are to be undertaken the latter part
Of the week at the District Building
when the Commissioners meet with
various civic and business leaders to
discuss the business privilege tax and
other new levies imposed this year to
Offset a serious budget deficit.
Incidentally, both the Senate and
House District Committees have re-
ceived 4 number of vigorous protests
against the business privilege tax
protests that are being filed away for
consideration if the Commissioners
recommend continuance of that levy
In the 1899 fiscal year.