Evening star., 1937-06-28
Increase in Liquor Levy In
stead of Business Privi-
lege Assessment Included
in Program Offered.
YIELD OVER $11,00O,OOO
SEEN IN HOUSE MEASURE
Request for Postponement of Re.
endorsement of P. W. A. and
Tightening of Collection Ma.
chinery Under Personal Prop.
erty Law Favored by Board.

BACKGROUND
District appropriation bill for
merit year beginning Thursday is
100000 dboue estimated reue-
nue.. Omnibus tar bill passed by
the House, noU before the Senate
District Committee, estimated to
raise more than s9,0O0,0 900, in
cludes business privilege tar, chain
store tar, increased real estate
levy and taIes on automobiles BY
ueight, insurance premiums, in
herltdnces and estates.
Revision of the House tax bill to
avoid raising more than the city needs
was urged by the Board of Trade as
hearings opened today before the
Senate District Committee.
The trade body offered substitute
program featured by an increase in
liquor taxes in place Of the far-reach-
ing gross receipts business privilege
tax. Presenting figures to show the
House measure would yield more than
sl1 100000, whereas only about S.
100000 is needed, the trade body also
suggested modification OF the inheri-
tance and estate levies and an ex.
tension Of time for repayment Of Dis.
tricJ P. w. A. loans.
Whiteford Spokesman.
With Roger J. Whiteford as its
spokesman, the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association also op-
posed vigorously the business privilege
levy as inequitable and calculated to
levy an excessive amount of revenue.
In order to expedite the hearing,
with so many witnesses asking to be
heard, Senator King adjourned the
session shortly after noon. until 3
pm, when witnesses selected by vari-
Gus groups will speak for those groups.
With such large turnout of wit
nesses and 50 short a time in which
to act on the bill, Senator King, at
the suggestion Of Senator Tydings Of
Maryland, requested those interested
in the same subjects to organize their
presentation and select one spokesman
for each specific question.
Whiteford Takes Floor.
In organizing the witnesses for the
afternoon session, Attorney Whiteford,
who had been appearing in opposition
to the business privilege tax, took the
floor as chairman. when the commit
tee room was turned over to him by
Chairman King, shortly after noon.
Taking up the bill, section by Sec
ton, Whiteford in cooperation with
those who wished to be heard. began
with the most controversial problem.
the chain store tax. For this about
six witnesses were tentatively selected.
to represent the consumers. suppliers,
of chain stores, the chains themselves,
and real estate interests.
All three District Commissioners
were present at the hearing. Elwood
Seal. corporation counsel, sat on
Chairman Kings left, but they will
not be heard until after citizens are
| finished.
King came out strongly against the
chain store tax, just prior to the
| adjournment, declaring there had
been no consideration of the provis.
ion in the House, except from the
floor. King even went so far as to
suggest that the chain store problem
might be segregated from the rest
OF the hearing. for executive consid-
GRAFTON by the District Commissioners.
and the Senate District Committee.
This proposal was left pending.
Kennedy Opposes Levy.
Kings opposition to the chain store
provision followed that by Chairman
Kennedy of the special House Tax
Subcommittee, who earlier not only
had criticized the tax as unfair, but
as punitive"
An indication of some Of the
changes the District Commissioners
committee will propose was given in
| g tentative reprint of the bill laid
before committee members today.
These include elimination of the
chain store tax, restoration Of au-
thority for the District to obtain adj
vances from the Treasury to meet
current operating revenues, pending
collection of local taxes; authority
for a thorough survey Of the entire
local tax structure during the recess
at a cost Of $50,00O for consideration
at the next session.
The tentative reprint also knocks
(C.n rAv Dooe AsN