Evening star., 1937-06-08
BY ]. A. OI.FARY


A prediction that the District NAV
nave 10 raise eight or nine million
ooLars IN new revenue for the coming
nscal year was made today by Senator
1nomas, Democrat. of Oklahoma as
tne Senate began debate on the nu-
merous changes in the 1898 District
appropriation bill.
AS reported from committee lat.
yesterday, the measure called for an
proximately SAC, 800 900, counting items
slated to be added on the floor. While
tnls total is estimated to call for
s7,5OO,O 900 in new taxes, Thomas said
whether the deficit goes above that
ngure will depend on the receipts from
existing sources Of revenue.
Although the new taxes are to be
dealt with separately, Senator Borah,
Republican, Of Idaho turned the dis
cussion to the revenue situation by
asking Thomas about reports that a
sales tax Is being considered.
Thomas explained the Appropria-
tions Subcommittee, Of which he is
chairman, has not considered the
sources for new revenue, but that he
personally is opposed to the sales tax.
Hospital Change Asked.
Asked by Minority Leader McNarv
to outline the Senate changes Thomas
said the ma jor one is to restore 4 pro-
vision transferring public hospitals
from the Welfare Board to the Health
Department, which went out In the
House on = point of order. The chair
man revealed the Senate committee is
favoring this change on the advice Of
Senator Copeland, Democrat, Of New
York, a physician
Thomas also declared Representative
Collins, Democrat, of Mississippi. in
charge Of the bill in the House, wants
to see this transfer made.
Senator Norris, independent. Of Ne
braska asked for further explanation
OF the hospital change, and Thomas
said 1t was thought the hospitals
should be under the agency dealing
primarily with health rather than the
general public welfare agency.
When it passed the House two
months ago with a total of s45,l1e.5s4,
the bill called for $6,146,o0o Of new
revenue
While the Senate was preparing 10
boost the outlay in the supply bill,
Chairman Kennedy OF the special tax
subcommittee OF the House yesterday
introduced in that body the omnibus
local tax bill which would add about
100000 to the city's general fund
from f1ve sources and 81 500, 900 to
the gas tax fund through a weight
tax on motor vehicles. The tax bills
were referred promptly to the House
District Committee, where they may
come up at the regular meeting to-
morrow, or = special session Thurs
day.
Drops Proviso for Advances.
In 4 last-minute decision to spur
Congress on in the consideration of
the new tax bills, the Senate Appropri-
atoms Committee left out the author
ity sought by the Commissioners to OBJ
tain advances Of funds from the Fed
eral Treasury early in the new fiscal
year.
Senator Thomas, who will guide the
supply oiil tliIOu6I VIC oClldtS, lHduS IL
plain this borrowing provision was
omitted because of a belief that if it
existed the new tax bills might not
pass City officials had told the Sen
ate group. however, that even If the
new tax measures pass promptly, the
city still might find itself in need of
the advances for the first few months
while the machinery for collection OF
the new levies is being put in motion.
Realty Tax Hike Looms.
Meanwhile, prospects that the Com
misioners will be forced to increase
the real estate tax rate should Con-
gress refuse to authorize them to OBJ
tain advances from the Treasury,
pending collection of the proposed
new tax kvies, were seen today at
the District Building.
District officials, however, appeared
not to be greatly perturbed, evidently
believing the authority for the ad-
vances will be provided II the House
promptly passes the proposed new tax
program.
1t appeared probable. however, that
even with approval of the new tax
tsee D. c. BILL, Page A-5.)