Evening star., 1939-02-17
Randolph Urges D. {.
To Fight MiIitant|y
For Voting Right
Businessmen's Federation
Hears House District
Committee Chuirmon

ACcSA AbA1l6 CIlc IlHllt 10 VOCc Is b
fundamental and basic right for
any man or woman who wants to
have voice in government" Repre-
sentative Randolph, chairman of the
House District Committee, last night
urged residents of the District to
raise up as mighty army and
assert their rights in this matter"
Speaking before the Federation OF
Businessmen's Associations at its
meeting at the Hamilton Hotel, Mr.
Randolph promised to "do all I cam
to pass a constitutional amendment
giving the residents of the District
Of Columbia the right of suffrage.
Voting is not only a right, but q
responsibility, he continued, deplor-
ing the fact that an average of only
81 out Of 100 eligible to vote through
out the Nation cast their ballots in
the 1886 election. He cited the
present conflict in the world between
democracy and distatorship in ask
ing all citizens of this country to
show their interest and their faith
in democratic institutions by voting
en- masse at election time.
Emphatic for Sales Tax.
Emphatic Endorsement" of sales
tax for the District of Columbia as
the form of taxation that should
be practiced in the City Of Washing
ton" was given by the Representa-
tive. "The sales tax" he declared,
"is fair, equitable and Just
procedure OF taxation not only
in Washington, but all over the
country"
Recalling that the introduction Of
similar levy in his State found 95
per cent of the citizens in opposition,
he stated that after a fair trial a
canvass of the State found the same
number in favor Of the tax. In
addition" he said, "the State debt
was replaced with surplus"
The West Virginian expressed his
bitter opposition to the business
privilege tax, characterizing it as
ruinous to business.
Explains Alien Bill.
Mr.. Randolph explained his bill
recently introduced in Congress
which provides for the deportation
of all aliens who do not declare their
intention of becoming citizens OF
the United States within one year
Of the passing of the measure.
He expressed his support Of a
small loan bill for the District Ito
benefit the little man who needs
cash right away, but who is forced
at present to 60 to Maryland and
pay interest as high as 4212 per
cent"
Warning the federation to have
representatives at the Capitol when
hearings on the District appropria-
ton bill begin, Mr.. Randolph said
only continuous appearances by
District residents before Congress
would focus the attention of that
body on the problems facing every
man and woman residing in the
District.
After a discussion of the report
submitted recently by the Joint
Congressional Committee on Interna
Revenue Taxation to Congress, the
federation acted favorably on the
following recommendations by the
Law and Legislation Committee
headed by j. Nelson Anderson: Re
peal Of the intangible personal prop
erty tax; to allow the business privi-
lege tax to expire June 30; a COM
bined income-retail sales tax, in.
cluding sales tax on articles sold
in Federal agencies; per cent tax
on net corporation incomes arising
from sources within the District
with an exemption of $1,000; licens.
ing and placing parking lots under
the control of the Public Utilities
Commission with authority to regu-
late parking rates; a real estate anC
personal property tax of not to ex-
ceed SITS per 500 assessed valua.
ton, provided that authority tt
change the rate be vested in the Dis.
trict Commissioners; changing Of tht
personal property tax on automo-
biles from single date to a prt
rata time basis.
Thomas P. Morgan, jr., campaign
manager of the National Symphony
Orchestra's drive for funds, made 6
brief appeal for support of the cam.
paign.
The Georgetown Business Men,
Association acted as hosts.