Evening star., 1940-03-25
By JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Filibustering tactics were resorted
to in the House today as predicted
to prevent consideration of the pro-
posed new revenue bill calling for a
combination sales-income tax in the
District
Efforts of Chairman Nichols of
the Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee of
the District Committee in charge of
the measure to call it UP shortly be-
fore pm. were Immediately blocked
by Representative Seccombe, Re-
publican, of Ohio. who forced roll
call of the entire House member
ship on a point of no quorum, thus
delaying further action for at least
80 minutes. Mr. Seccombe is a
member of the District Committee
Randolph Pleads for Action.
Preceding Mr.. Nichols move to get
the House to consider the proposed
legislation, Chairman Randolph of
the District Committee pleaded with
the House to consider it strictly
on it's merits"
He explained in a minute
speech attempts probably would be
made to halt action on the bill. and
pointed out the measure had been
handled in committee in orderly
procedure.
"At no time did the committee or
the chairman agree that the bill
would not come up today" he de-
clared.
Mr.. Randolph also declared that
Representatives Dirksen of Illinois
and Bates of Massachusetts,, both
Republicans and vigorous foes of
the sales tax feature of the bill, who
are not in the city, knew the bill
was scheduled to be called up today.
Move Called Surprise.
Minority Leader Martin, however,
declared Mr.. Bates, on an official
mission for the House Naval Affairs
Committee in Panama, was not in
Washington last Wednesday when
the District Committee ordered a
favorable report on the bill
There is something wrong about
1t he declared.
Representative Schultz, Democrat,
OF Indiana, another member of the
District Committee, then took the
House floor and charged that not
one member of the committee knew
the bill was to be called up today
until they read about it in the news
papers. He pleaded for a delay in
House consideration until the re-
turn of Mr.. Dirksen, who is out in
his congressional district campaign
ing in connection with the ap-
preaching primary.
Mr.. Schultz declared he is op-
posed to the sales tax provision in
the bill because it would force the
''scrubwoman' and the w. P. A.
worker to pay tax 80 the rich
man can escape his just dues
Three District Bills Passed.
Before an attempt was made to
call up the revenue bill, the House
IN rapid succession passed three
District bills and sent them to the
Senate. They would:
l. Require sanitary connections
with the District sewerage system
in homes using old-fashioned out
door toilets.
2. Authorize the Capital Transit
Go. to erect waiting room and
comfort station in Commodore
Barney circle.
8. Authorize the Commissioners
to accept and erect in the municipal
center area memorial fountain
for District policemen.
Meanwhile, Chairman Randolph
of the full District Committee said
there might be some discussion of
the tax program at the commit
tees weekly meeting. He said it
was his plan, however. to call the
bill up in the House today unless
instructed not to do so at this
mornings meeting.
Meanwhile. Jacob Baker, national
president of the United Federal
Workers of America, sent tele-
gram to Speaker Bandhead of the
House protesting the sales tax pro-
posal His message follows:
"On behalf of Federal employees,
making up great majority of wage
earners of the District of Columbia,
earnestly protest any imposition of
sales tax in District. All that is
necessary in present situation is
that persons shall pay taxes they
owe under present law"