Evening star., 1938-02-15
BY JAMES +. CHINN.

Arguing that a sales tax makes peo-
pie tax conscious" Representative
Arnold, Democrat. of Illinois today
advocated its adoption in the District
in lieu of the three-point tax-raising
program contained in the new 1899
revenue bill.
A member of the Fiscal Affairs Sub
committee of the House District Com
mittee, which wrote the bill Mr.. Ar
mold disclosed his views during the
second of a series of public hearings
on the measure.
He pointed out the sales tax in Illi-
nois had made the people in that State
tax conscious And when a COM
munity is tax conscious" he declared.
it is not so likely to vote bonds that
will lead to bankruptcy.
Only two witnesses appeared before
the subcommittee at the second heaY-
ing-CharleS A. Franklin. Republican,
representing the Conduit Road and
Columbia Heights Citizens Associa-
tions and Rufus S. Lusk. member
of the Citizens Advisory Committee
on Taxation. AS a result of the ap-
parent lack of interest, the subcom-
mittee abandoned its plans for an
afternoon session, but will resume the
hearing tOmorrou at IN N,
Advocates ID. c. Suffrage.
Representative Wood, Democrat. of
Missouri. who conducted the hearing
in the absence of Chairman Nichols.
who is confined to his home by an
attack of influenza renewed his ad-
vocacy of suffrage for the District at
every opportunity.
Soon after Mr.. Franklin took the
witness stand Mr.. Wood asked him
if he thought the people of Washing
ton are capable of governing them
selves. The witness answered in the
affirmative.
L would like to see the situation
arise here where the people would
have their freedom said Mr.. Wood
Il can't understand why the people
here can't govern themselves"
Mr.. Franklin predicted if the resi-
dents Of the District had a vote they
would not accept any alternative to
the proposed income tax. Sentiment
for this form of taxation, he said, is
becoming increasingly favorable.
Sees Income Tax Lost.
Mr.. Arnold. however. predicted the
House would not approve an income
tax in view of its rebellion against it
last year Mr., Wood shares the same
opinion. although he favors this form
of taxation.
Mr. Franklin told the subcommittee
both the Conduit Road and Columbia
Heights Citizens Associations favor an
ward District expenses. as well as an
income tax. He said the former or
ganization opposes continuation of the
business privilege tax because it can be
passed on to the consumer, and that
the latter association is not in favor of
any type of sales tax.
Meanwhile, written and telegraphic
protests against the 1889 revenue bill
poured into the subcommittee as
prelude to the second day of public
hearings on the measure
The complaints were directed chiefly
at plans to continue the business priv
ilege tax on gross receipts and the
imposition of / per cent tax on the
incomes of all persons VINO work in
Washington.
Two new tax plans were thrown
into the assortment already suggested
to the subcommittee. The Bartenders'
Union (strange as it might seemD rec
commended that fees for liquor and
beer licenses be doubled. And the
Washington Automotive Trade Asso-
citation urged adoption of sales tax
on sales of tangible personal property
(See TAXES, Page A-4)